Madness of the ECS/JIB card scheme

[Gavin John Hyde]

Talking to an experienced spark this morning who is doing some work for me as i am too busy.
He has nearly 35 years experience in the trade, worked with his dad who was also an electrician.
Doesn't have the NVQ, they weren't even a thing when he started.
Has his 2391 - the old school written one where you had to know your stuff.
Cant get a cold card but wait for it he can get a ECS - PAT testing card! as he does have a PAT testing certificate from C&G as he got put on it when working for a company couple of years back!
So it seems there are plenty of more than qualified sparks with ample experience who cant get a JIB Gold card but pass you pat testing course and hey presto have a card !!
It amazes me there is actually a card for PAT testing! couldnt stop laughing at that one

 

[westward10]

There are alternative routes, I have a technician card which I gained this way. I have also endorsed other people to achieve their cards so it isn't impossible but I agree the normal route to achieve a card is like much in our trade madness.

 

[Pete999]

Talking to an experienced spark this morning who is doing some work for me as i am too busy.
He has nearly 35 years experience in the trade, worked with his dad who was also an electrician.
Doesn't have the NVQ, they weren't even a thing when he started.
Has his 2391 - the old school written one where you had to know your stuff.
Cant get a cold card but wait for it he can get a ECS - PAT testing card! as he does have a PAT testing certificate from C&G as he got put on it when working for a company couple of years back!
So it seems there are plenty of more than qualified sparks with ample experience who cant get a JIB Gold card but pass you pat testing course and hey presto have a card !!
It amazes me there is actually a card for PAT testing! couldnt stop laughing at that one

I wasn't aware you needed a cert to be competent for PATesting or ISITEE

 

[LukeD]

Typical UK madness . Its pathetic how trades are taught and controlled in 2021

 

[telectrix]

soon plans will be replaced entirely. e.g. for a socket circuit some university graduate with a degree in history of extinct eskimo tribes will sharpie dots on the walls, then all we need to do is join the dots.

 

[DPG]

I wasn't aware you needed a cert to be competent for PATesting or ISITEE

You don't, but it's useful for non-electricians who may need to do it. To be honest some electricians don't know the full ins and outs if it, and could maybe benefit from the course.

Not all electricians know about the alternative/touch leakage tests, or the fact that PAT testers connect line and neutral together when testing. A course can fill these gaps in.

 

[UNG]

You don't, but it's useful for non-electricians who may need to do it. To be honest some electricians don't know the full ins and outs if it, and could maybe benefit from the course.

Not all electricians know about the alternative/touch leakage tests, or the fact that PAT testers connect line and neutral together when testing. A course can fill these gaps in.

I did the other course on how to run away in the opposite direction when someone mentions PAT