Looking into transition from army electrician to civi electrician

[Chrisarmy]

Hi,
i really hope someone could point me in the right direction here. I'm currently in the army as a royal signals electrician, I have 17th edition, PAT user and PAT manager in short city & guilds certs. I havnt really touched anything domestically at all, we work on generator maintenance and in the field power set ups 3phase and single phase power, on my class 1 we went into depth doing cable calculations and years before that's electronic principles, batteries, ohms law etc but no city & guilds qualifications for that. How would be the best way for me to become fully qualified? I've heard there are 2 routes 2365 level 2 and 3 or 2357. I get 3 £2,000 courses for free off the army so over the next 4 years I'm planning on trying to do what I can part time to become fully qualified. I think 2357 would be no good as we only work in the field with generators, would that be correct? Also if I took the 2365 route, Is it essential I do level 2 first or with me allready having a basic knowledge? And what would be the next steps for me after this?

If if anyone could help me out it would be much appreciated

 

[telectrix]

i would think you could go straight in at level3.

 

[Chrisarmy]

i would think you could go straight in at level3.

I was sort of hoping I could do that. Think I will look in enrolling at a collage to do that, then what would be the next route? I will need some sort of NVQ after wouldn't i?

thanks.

 

[GB.Kayak]

Hi,
i really hope someone could point me in the right direction here. I'm currently in the army as a royal signals electrician, I have 17th edition, PAT user and PAT manager in short city & guilds certs. I havnt really touched anything domestically at all, we work on generator maintenance and in the field power set ups 3phase and single phase power, on my class 1 we went into depth doing cable calculations and years before that's electronic principles, batteries, ohms law etc but no city & guilds qualifications for that. How would be the best way for me to become fully qualified? I've heard there are 2 routes 2365 level 2 and 3 or 2357. I get 3 £2,000 courses for free off the army so over the next 4 years I'm planning on trying to do what I can part time to become fully qualified. I think 2357 would be no good as we only work in the field with generators, would that be correct? Also if I took the 2365 route, Is it essential I do level 2 first or with me allready having a basic knowledge? And what would be the next steps for me after this?

If if anyone could help me out it would be much appreciated

Hi there Chris, are you entitled to any resettlement training in addition to the Enhanced Learning Credits scheme? If so, then you may be able to add C&G 2394 or 2395 to your existing portfolio at minimal cost to yourself, courses are run by the Career Transition Partnership in Aldershot and your unit should pick up the bill for T&S.

Is is it domestics that you want to get into? There are a number of ex serving members on here, some more recent leavers and some who have important and valuable experience in both the domestic and industrial sectors, some members specialise in setting up outdoor events. Unless you are looking for a quieter and less hectic life, have you thought of doing event or construction site electrics, that would allow you to put most of your valuable experience to immediate effect. If interested, there are two members on here that you might like to pm and ask questions of ... Rockingit and davesparks.

Welcome and I wish you well; if you have any questions, pm me.

Yours Aye

GB

 

[Chrisarmy]

Hi there Chris, are you entitled to any resettlement training in addition to the Enhanced Learning Credits scheme? If so, then you may be able to add C&G 2394 or 2395 to your existing portfolio at minimal cost to yourself, courses are run by the Career Transition Partnership in Aldershot and your unit should pick up the bill for T&S.

Is is it domestics that you want to get into? There are a number of ex serving members on here, some more recent leavers and some who have important and valuable experience in both the domestic and industrial sectors, some members specialise in setting up outdoor events. Unless you are looking for a quieter and less hectic life, have you thought of doing event or construction site electrics, that would allow you to put most of your valuable experience to immediate effect. If interested, there are two members on here that you might like to pm and ask questions of ... Rockingit and davesparks.

Welcome and I wish you well; if you have any questions, pm me.

Yours Aye

GB

2394 or 2395 is the inspection and testing correct? I've heard there is a massive fail rate with that, i want to do one I them courses but was thinking maybe do the 2365 level3 first. Give myself a better chance on passing, I intend on being posted where I won't be going nowhere for 2 years so I'm thinking of enroling in collage part time and doing that if I can go straight in at level 3 . Hopfully in the end Id like to get off shore, I have friends out there and one is a supervisor but I'd want to get experience onshore first, maybe after serving a few year qualified I'll look towards that as I know I'm never going to walk straight into a job there, my mate has told me to ring a collage he went to for there advice which I am going to do tomorrow as the courses he did was years ago. I havnt signed off yet Im goin to do another 3 years which takes me to my 12year point and fully prepare myself now though or at least make a plan. But event or construction sites I wouldn't rule out, hectic or not it dosnt bother me. I will contact pm these guys would be good to hear how they went about it all. Thany thanks for your reply I'll also look up the career transition place in aldershot.
thanks

 

[GB.Kayak]

2394 or 2395 is the inspection and testing correct? I've heard there is a massive fail rate with that, i want to do one I them courses but was thinking maybe do the 2365 level3 first. Give myself a better chance on passing, I intend on being posted where I won't be going nowhere for 2 years so I'm thinking of enroling in collage part time and doing that if I can go straight in at level 3 . Hopfully in the end Id like to get off shore, I have friends out there and one is a supervisor but I'd want to get experience onshore first, maybe after serving a few year qualified I'll look towards that as I know I'm never going to walk straight into a job there, my mate has told me to ring a collage he went to for there advice which I am going to do tomorrow as the courses he did was years ago. I havnt signed off yet Im goin to do another 3 years which takes me to my 12year point and fully prepare myself now though or at least make a plan. But event or construction sites I wouldn't rule out, hectic or not it dosnt bother me. I will contact pm these guys would be good to hear how they went about it all. Thany thanks for your reply I'll also look up the career transition place in aldershot.
thanks

It sounds like you are more forward thinking and better prepared than most. Neither contact is ex serving to the best of my knowledge. CTP is not available until last 2 years of service ... you should get a resettlement brief at that point.

 

[ruston]

You may be entitled to one level 2 and one level 3 courses free being ex service over and above your resettlement entitlement. Check with your local college or job centre.

I have a booklet from our local college that gives this information along with information on student loans.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Chrisarmy]

You may be entitled to one level 2 and one level 3 courses free being ex service over and above your resettlement entitlement. Check with your local college or job centre.

I have a booklet from our local college that gives this information along with information on student loans.

Best of luck to you.

I aint ex serving yet, can't really afford to go to collage full time as I have a mortgage to pay, my intention is go part time while still serving and use my enhanced learning credits. I think I'll give the collage a ring tomorrow and get more info

thanks for your reply

 

[ruston]

It' a pleasure. I hope it goes well for you.:smile5:

 

[Clive P]

Hi Chris,

I came from an Army background myself. To be honest the first couple of years after I left were damned hard. Luckily I was working for a good Electrical contracting firm , but it was by no means easy; it was a steep learning curve. You are going about things in the right way by doing a lot of preparation before you leave, I didn't do that which made things doubly hard.
As you have time left to serve you may be able to get in some valuable experience in your spare time so it doesn't become such a leap when you leave .

Regards.

 

[andyelectric]

I aint ex serving yet, can't really afford to go to collage full time as I have a mortgage to pay, my intention is go part time while still serving and use my enhanced learning credits. I think I'll give the collage a ring tomorrow and get more info

thanks for your reply

Be wary of underutilising your ELC's. Dependent on when you signed up you will have either £1k or £2k per year. If you only use them for say, a £200 course you would lose the balance for the year. Remember whichever course you choose to use your ELC's for you will need to front up 20% yourself.

 

[Chrisarmy]

Be wary of underutilising your ELC's. Dependent on when you signed up you will have either £1k or £2k per year. If you only use them for say, a £200 course you would lose the balance for the year. Remember whichever course you choose to use your ELC's for you will need to front up 20% yourself.

Yes thanks for that, I will only use my £2,000 per course for something that roughly costs that much, inspection and testing I think I'll just front myself as it would be a waste. I think I only get 3 £2,000 courses and te yearly one you get is only for about £100 roughly I think.

thanks for that though appreciated

 

[shanky887614]

I aint ex serving yet, can't really afford to go to collage full time as I have a mortgage to pay, my intention is go part time while still serving and use my enhanced learning credits. I think I'll give the collage a ring tomorrow and get more info

thanks for your reply

the full time course is either 2 days a week or nights.

 

[Chrisarmy]

the full time course is either 2 days a week or nights.

Yeah that's what I'm going to try and do I think the 2365 level 3 on a night course then move on to the 2394 or 2395

 

[shanky887614]

Yeah that's what I'm going to try and do I think the 2365 level 3 on a night course then move on to the 2394 or 2395

good luck mate, im not sure if the college would let you skip level 1 and 2. no harm in rining the electrical department and asking though.

might he worth gettig a job as an electricians mate for a bit then there is another nvq route i can't remember the course code but it can be done after so many years experience and it would probably suit you better

 

[GB.Kayak]

Yes thanks for that, I will only use my £2,000 per course for something that roughly costs that much, inspection and testing I think I'll just front myself as it would be a waste. I think I only get 3 £2,000 courses and te yearly one you get is only for about £100 roughly I think.

thanks for that though appreciated

I would also counsel you to beware of courses that do not come up to scratch. It is difficult to know which college and or course is value for money. Ask if you might speak to previous course graduates or people on current college courses, and preferably candidates who can provide mature feedback.

 

[shanky887614]

I would also counsel you to beware of courses that do not come up to scratch. It is difficult to know which college and or course is value for money. Ask if you might speak to previous course graduates or people on current college courses, and preferably candidates who can provide mature feedback.

just to add.

stick to city and guilds, there courses are a lot more widely recognised than EAL

 

[Robotstar5]

Or if you fancy industrial maintenance and don't mind re-locating, Jaguar Land Rover have taken on quite a few ex-services (Army, Navy & RAF) over the last couple of years and they've settled in fine.

 

[Chrisarmy]

Or if you fancy industrial maintenance and don't mind re-locating, Jaguar Land Rover have taken on quite a few ex-services (Army, Navy & RAF) over the last couple of years and they've settled in fine.

What sort of qualifications would I need for that please?

 

[telectrix]

best to contact jag/LR direct. it's possible they want less than fully qualified staff. and look on the bright side. it's in the best part of the country...... liverpool.

 

[Chrisarmy]

Thanks I'll look into that also, determine the best route to take

 

[Robotstar5]

best to contact jag/LR direct. it's possible they want less than fully qualified staff. and look on the bright side. it's in the best part of the country...... liverpool.

Or in Birmingham, link to JLR skilled recruitment here

 

[Knobhead]

So where does the site go in to skill requirements for new recruits? I gave up looking down the myriad of blind alleys.

 

[Engineer54]

best to contact jag/LR direct. it's possible they want less than fully qualified staff. and look on the bright side. it's in the best part of the country...... liverpool.

Things would have had to change a great deal, if the car industry would consider taking on less than fully qualified electricians. If anything these days, with the amount of electronics employed in these factories, they would be looking for maintenance based ''Technicians'' with ONC/HNC qualifications rather than building installation electricians...

 

[R G]

It was on the news this morning Jag/Land Rover are taking on another 1300 people..

 

[Robotstar5]

So where does the site go in to skill requirements for new recruits? I gave up looking down the myriad of blind alleys.

If the link doesn't work I've pasted it below - Link

Candidate Profile

Right now, we’re looking for all kinds of skilled trades to join us, from Industrial Maintenance Electricians and Mechanical Fitters, to Multi-skilled (Electrical/Mechanical) Technicians and Toolmakers.Wherever you’ve gained your experience, you’re good at what you do because you enjoy it, thriving on the thrill of thinking on your feet to deliver quick, effective fixes. If you have completed an indentured/certificated apprenticeship and have experience in an industrial setting, you’ll easily fit in here.

 

[Engineer54]

If the link doesn't work I've pasted it below - Link

Candidate Profile

Right now, we’re looking for all kinds of skilled trades to join us, from Industrial Maintenance Electricians and Mechanical Fitters, to Multi-skilled (Electrical/Mechanical) Technicians and Toolmakers.Wherever you’ve gained your experience, you’re good at what you do because you enjoy it, thriving on the thrill of thinking on your feet to deliver quick, effective fixes. If you have completed an indentured/certificated apprenticeship and have experience in an industrial setting, you’ll easily fit in here.

So, ...A electrical trainee with 3 years self taught experience????

 

[andyelectric]

So, ...A electrical trainee with 3 years self taught experience????

Nowhere on this thread has anyone mentioned Electrical Trainee. For some reason you have a bit of a fixation.

 

[Engineer54]

Nowhere on this thread has anyone mentioned Electrical Trainee. For some reason you have a bit of a fixation.

When are you OFF to Portugal??

 

[andyelectric]

When are you OFF to Portugal??

Ferry delays at the moment.

 

[Robotstar5]

So, ...A electrical trainee with 3 years self taught experience????

No chance, the interview day I attended started at 0730, by 0800 4 had been sent home as unable to provide proof of indentures, certificate of craftsmanship etc.

 

[ruston]

Why did they waste their time interviewing them based on your previous description, would they have taken some on if they had impressed in any other way?

Sorry , not myself this morning , just read the small print in you quoted post.:49:

 

[Engineer54]

No chance, the interview day I attended started at 0730, by 0800 4 had been sent home as unable to provide proof of indentures, certificate of craftsmanship etc.

In that case your post above is a little misleading, eg....

Wherever you’ve gained your experience, you’re good at what you do because you enjoy it, thriving on the thrill of thinking on your feet to deliver quick, effective fixes.

If you have completed an indentured/certificated apprenticeship and have experience in an industrial setting, you’ll easily fit in here.

These days there are more than just a few ways to gain core electrical qualifications and gain suitable experience.

My Electrical Trainee was a quip more than anything else!! lol!!

 

[Robotstar5]

You're right E54, it does read a bit misleading, but I assumed it meant they are not necessarily looking for applicants from the automotive sector. They have taken on guys from various areas like food processing, mining and waste management as well as ex-forces.
Normally find that folks from a high speed processing background fit in quicker.

 

[amckay]

The qualifications you'll need are the 2365 (as mentioned somewhere above) at levels 2+3 but I suspect with your existing knowledge you could skip the level 2.
You will need a nvq at level3, speak to your CO and see if they can fund it or fund it yourself and do it while still in the army. Level3 Nvq is what classes you as qualified (there are different electrical nvqs so choose one that suits)
Once you have the above two you may want to get the 2382 -the 17th edition (maybe 18th by the time you come to sit it) you prob don't need this as you will have qualified to 17th standard BUT for some reason most employers and 99% of agency's want you to have it so for the sake of £250 it will go a far way in landing you a job sooner rather than later.
Then there's the 2394+5 the testing and inspection. If your experienced in t+i you'll be fine to take the test but do study guidance note 3 thoroughly beforehand.

You might want to get a JIB ECS card too. This lists your qualifications and you will need to sit a health n safety test first, unless you apply for the card within 6months of completing nvq. This card will get you on site, its a h+s requirement for 99% of sites.

Try to do as much as you can whilst still in the army, at least you still have an income to pay your mortgage whilst learning. As mentioned above try to gain experience at weekends with a local firm preferably social housing domestic work,as this will give you a bit more experience than what your doing now + agencys love to hire those with social housing experience.

I hope this has been helpful and I wish you all the best in the future.