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

 

[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.