Looking for some infomation and advice on getting qualified

Dan.P · Feb 17, 2013

Hey, so I used to be an "apprenticeship" a few years back. I've put it in quotes because basically I was in full time college (2 1/2 days p/w) then on my free days I worked for this guy. At first it was watching him and after a few months I used to get involed and learn how to run cables and what to do/look for. Towards the end he used to drop me off on jobs and he would go to another. Was with him for almost 2 and a half years and was getting paid cash in hand £25 a day and he wanted me to do about 80% laboring for a bricky friend then do the electrics. He also said that I he wouldn't pay for an NVQ because it was too much so basically I packed it in and got a full time job. Recently I've packed that in because I don't want to work in that kind of environment. The pasted few months I've been helping renovate my brothers new house and my Aunties hotel and I'm really keen on getting back into it. I've pretty much rewired my brothers new house and done most of the electrics at the hotel. I have a friend whose fully qualified who has been helping me when I've been stuck.

But anyways I've been to see my old college tutor whos told me the whole thing has changed and you need an NVQ and you'll need a job as an electrician to get passed because they need to come out and assess your practical onsite work. I've sent out and spoke to around 30 local companys and told them my current situation and that I would work for free I just need to get the practical side done. But I've been told that wouldn't work and you need an apprenticeship. Those that did respond told me that I was too old, or they wasn't taking anyone on. I've been looking at courses that would "fast track" me. Something along this City & Guilds 2365 Course Level 2 & 3

So I'm just wondering your thoughts or advice if these kind of courses are the real deal, or what my next step should be. Money isn't an issue and as soon as I have the paper work I can get set up on my own.

Thanks in advance

Dan

telectrix · Feb 17, 2013

if you want to set up on your own, you don't need nvq. get 2382-12 ( 17th regs.) and join elecsa beore april ( may have been put back to july)

Dan.P · Feb 17, 2013

Is that all I need? Like I said I know what I'm doing 80% of the time (Domestic) and I'm rusty on my inspection and testing. So the only course I need is the 2382-12 ?

Tradeskills4u · Feb 27, 2013

Hi Dan,

If you are looking to work as a domestic installer then as long as you register before the 5th April you will need the following:

17th Edition Wiring Regs
The ability to install (Re-wire a house)
Be competent at inspection and testing as this will be assessed by your scheme provider (C&G 2392-10 course will suffice)
And also have knowledge of the building regs (Part P course can bring you up to speed on this)

After this date you will be looking at a new Qualified Supervisor course which have just launched. This course is designed specifically for people like yourself with experience but no quals.

There are rumours that some scheme providers will continue to register people after the 5th of April with the current requirements however if you check this page from the IET their dates have not changed so I am unsure if this is correct:

Electrotechnical Assessment Specification - EAS - IET Electrical

Arnold Layne · Mar 2, 2013

Dan P, I don't have as much experience with domestic requirements as telectrix or the forum sponsor above so I would defer to their advice if you want to confine yourself to domestic work. However you may find that limiting in the future and it certainly would not suffice to rewire a Hotel, as you have described. So if you wanted to branch out into that work in the future you would need some additional qualifications.

The standard apprenticeship route for commercial/industrial work ( which is the accepted route) involves 3 years college and on site experience which you appear to have followed after a fashion albeit your "employer" appears to have had an informal if not irregular approach to your training, so it is a little difficult to assess to what degree your apprenticeship conforms to the norm. However an NVQ 3 is the standard requirement to become an electrician qualified to do anything other than domestic work. I am a little concerned about the ' cash in hand' approach of your previous employer and his failure to train you to NVQ 3 which is a standard requirement of any apprenticeship contract.

Perhaps your best approach would be to follow the advice of the others and qualify for the domestic work, then consider your options if you want to move into commercial. If you wanted to go into commercial straight away your only realistic option would be to try to get an Adult Trainee position with a company where you could fill in the gaps which there appear to be in the apprenticeship you have already taken.

Whatever you decide good luck!