New Career Skills - anyone got feedback?

[headshrinker]

Been looking into this company and like what they have to offer, but was wondering if anyone had been on it and if they would recommend it?

thank you!!

 

[Lyngarth]

I did a course with new careers and found them to be very good, learn at your own speed and as much help and advice as you need .

I must also say at no point did anyone tell me I would walk out after the course as an electrician, if fact they made the point that I would have the basics but would need to go out and get as much hands on as I could. They even recommended not tiring to go it alone straight away, as they said " You will be a small fish in a big sea, and could find yourself coming unstuck without any one around to help"

So as long as you have the facts before you start any course then I think they are a good way to start off.

I'm lucky as I have two very good friends who are sparks and give me as much work and help as I need, and a week on site with either of them is worth a month in any college. I now know how to make tea and coffee !!!

 

[1shortcircuit]

I am on a NCS course at present.

Cost is approx £6,500.

I took £300 quid away for my first week to allow for fuel, accomodation, food etc and arrived home with £15.

I have been very impressed with the tutors and facilities at the Chandlers Ford, Southampton Centre.

Don't be fooled in thinking that this is going to teach you EVERYTHING you need to know. In my opinion this is the first step which I will be following up with working for a company rather than setting up alone straight away.

 

[PatchAdams]

I signed up to the course last year and it has been a very expensive mistake. Before I signed they sent someone round to discuss the course with me. Everything he told me turned out to be a lie and when speaking to other people this happened to them as well. there was only two other students there

I found most of the tutors uninterested and hardly paying any attention to the students. On my second week I was the last one to get to testing the circuit. The whole morning I saw the tutor 3 times which if added together would have been about 1 minute. I had to go looking for him at one point, drinking tea was more important then me learning it seemed.

Before my 4th week I sent the head tutor an email complaining and explaining my concerns with how the course is going. He suggested me coming in for an extra couple of days to go through a few things (especially testing). When I turned up I asked for him I was told he was at a different centre that week. None of the tutors there were helpful and I got sent upstairs to work by myself. Was a complete waste of time. These are just 2 examples, there are many more.

I am now going to train at the local college which is what I should have done in the first place. £6000 down the drain.

 

[stephen1974]

I've only completed the first week practicle but here is some feedback.

The Sales Guy.
This is the guy or girl who comes round your house to get you to sign up. Not happy with this really. I was somewhat mislead in to thinking I would be FULLY qualified at the end of this course. I won't be, and that's particularly annoying as it would have been extremley useful in my current employment. I was also told there was a training centre in London (I was told Croydon at the time). There isn't. Apparently one is going to be opened in Watford, which is fantastic for me as I have family I can stay with, but it's not opening any time soon. So an extra 160 miles of travel is now involved. Also, the guy insisted I phone a 'former student' so he could say how great the course was. I can't prove it, but he sounded an awful lot like one of the instructors i've just met. He used the fact he had to travel so far to try and pressure me in to signing there and then, when ideally I would have liked to have investigated his claims on the qualifications further. I signed because i'd pretty much decided to do the course anyway before he arrived.

So not the best of experiences but a lot of the negative stuff I didnt find out until my first practical week, which was a couple of months in to the course.

So if you are thinking about doing such a course, here are some tips.
Get the information about the course and investigate the qualifications throroughly before you join up. Make sure it's giving you what you want. That also goes for information on training centres etc..

The Training
The Theory training isn't well written or organised and too many people will take the easy route of looking up answers to the questions and tick teh right box without actually understanding the reason why you are given the answer. Any monkey can copy answers. I copied the answers. Won't be doing that gain as its completely the wrong way to do things.

The Practical Training however is pretty good but has flaws. What lets people down is they dont understand the theory and then they struggle to complete the tasks. Again, they can just go copy the displays on the wall of what wire goes where, but they don't understand why it goes there. This becomes eveident when there is a slight change in the wireing required but they just carry on oblivious. The instructors will explain it to you if you ask and they will stop you when you have the wiring wrong. They will also ask you to think about why its wrong to see if you understand things rather than just give you the answers, so top marks on that.

Dissapointed that after paying £7,000 for the course they cant provide accomodation or subsidised accomodation. Expect to these weekends to cost £300 to £400 or even more depending on your travel. Accomodation, food, petrol. It's not a cheap week. This could mean an extra £1200 to £2000 to complete the course. There is also a £300 fine if you cant attend, not acceptable. You've paid for the course, they dont lose any money, yet they expect you to pay again. That would be a smack in the chops ya cheeky buggers.

Overall. Very unhappy with the sales side of things and I am thinking about taking the matter further. With the training, home study is always about how much effort you put in to it and the only person you short change by not doing it properly is yourself. The books are not brilliant imo, but that doesnt stop you from buying other books, or using the internet to improve your knowledge. The practical weeks are good, but sometimes the answers are given to you without really educating you. In which case you need to take note of the answer and research it - again, dont short change yourself.

 

[soltek]

I completed the NCS electrical course last year (Chandlers Ford). All in all a brilliant experience. In my opinion, I would say its not a course you can go into completely blind, some basic experience is a must. I had done a complete selfbuild beforehand so I had a good idea beforehand what it was going to be about.
Yes, its not cheap but you get what you pay for. I found the facilities were excellent and the tutors very knowledgeable and helpful. At the end of the day, if you think you're not getting it, you've got to tell them - they can't read your mind. In my experience they will spend the time with you to make sure you understand, its in their best interests to make sure you pass the course. Even though the costs are significant, they won't be handing it to you on a plate. you have to work hard, put in the study time (lots of it) and demonstrate your understanding.
I also did the 2392 Inspection and testing course then the PV course - it was always my intention to get into renewables and the electrical course was the foundation for that. Last week I gained my MCS accreditation and am now well into setting up my PV installation company.
I would recommend NCS to anyone, I wouldn't pretend for a moment I now know everything I need to, but they do provide you with an excellent foundation to get you started.They will also happily provide you with any electrical advice you need even after completing the course. This forum is also excellent for any advice you might need as there are plenty of people ready to help you.

 

[upbeat944]

Its up to you of course headshrinker, but signed up with them and I found them lacking in support element when I tried to access it, and they do not come over as sensitive to your issues when you get stuck or complain! cheers

 

[JSPM]

Hi there.
I completed the green domestic engineers course (plumbing biased) with NCS, which included an electrical element under Part P for plumbing related works.
This was a career change step for me, having been in an office bound job for 15 years, although I did have alot of property renovation experience.
NCS matched all my needs after much research into several training providers. I have to say that both the theory & practical elements of the course were very well taught. There is no doubt that some prior DIY experience, at least, will help a candidate, but one could get through without any experience. There were candidates on the same course as me that had no experience and got through. However, and probably needless to say, one does need to put in quite a bit of time outside of the training at centre, reading books and gaining some practical experience to enhance on the in centre experience. The NCS will point you in the right direction to get that practical experience in the real world.
The after training and business-to-business support that the NCS supply has also been very good and efficient, based on my experience.
I have been running my successful business now for 2 years and frequently call upon the NCS to assist with putting me in contact with other operatives when I need a hand. They will also supply candidates for paid and unpaid work experience with you if you are happy to assist in that way. I have used this service aswell and again found it very beneficial to all involved.
Overall I have found them very supportive when needed, before, during and after my training. One must remember that they are a very busy company with stretched resources at times so patience can be a key word at times.
If one is looking to them as training provider I would commend a visit to one of the three training centres - Doncaster, Watford or Southampton. Have a guided tour and chat to the trainers, staff and onsite students.
I fully appreciate such training programs are not for everyone and will not meet everyone’s needs, but there is plenty of information out in the real world and on the net to allow thorough research to make your informed judgment. If you are looking at spending £5 to £7k of your hard earned money then full research is a must.
Please note I am not a paid advocate of the company, just a satisfied customer.
Good luck and feel free to contact me back if anyone wants to chat over the training - Welcome to one of the best private property developers in Lincolnshire.

 

[upbeat944]

Sounds like you had an idyllic experience JSPM, not so for me.

The problem for people who are thinking of investing their hard earned money into training companies like for example New Career Skills, we never really know how good the experience will be until you have signed the dotted line....it is a gamble because we don't have access to the database at NCS, (any company can put glowing testimonials on their website), we really wouldn't know how many satisfied students/customers they have trained and of course on the flip side, how many unsatisfied. All I would add is that my experience with them has totally put me off fast track trade learning, I shall be signing up for the tried and trusted route through college.

Regards

 

[JSPM]

Hi upbeat. I totally agree with you that fast track learning is not for everyone, and it was something that I was keen not to do. You could, in theory, complete the NCS course in 6 months, but experience and "on the job" training is a must aswell. Personally it took me about 20 months to complete the NCS course, and inbetween I was working within the industry which defiantely helps. There will always be bad experiences with companies, and like many services you don't know how the experience will pan out until you have been through it. I have found that often good and bad experiences with companies and service providers simply comes down to personalities, as the old saying goes "You can please all the people all the time." Certainly the large majroity of people I did the training with and reffered to the NCS have found the experience very positive, although not all have necessarily taken up the course/s Unfortunately this day and age people, me included at times, are much more prepared to voice complaints about products and services than they are to praise, but then constructive complaint can only be a positive if it means it can lead to improvement. Testimonials - yep I agree, but then I've yet to find a company who will post negative testimonials about themselves. I am sure if you asked the NCS or any other training provider for referances from trainees/candidates/students they will be able to put you in contact with them. As I stated originally one must do alot of their own research to make an informed decision. Good luck upbeat. If I can be of any advice or assistance please do contact me.

 

[KingKenny]

Hi everyone - I registered with NCS back in late Autumn last year and will be attending my first week of Electrical Practical training/assessment in a few weeks time having passed the three TMA's. Outside of some (very) basic D.I.Y., I don't have a massive anount of practical experience in Electrics having worked in retail pretty much all my life till I left work late last year.

Now, I don't want the inside info on any specifics - that'd be way out of order, but it would be helpful if someone could tell me what the content of week ONE is likely to be as the 'blurb' I was given by the Sales guy is a bit confusing. Essentially, I don't want to spend the last few weeks before Week One Practical re-studying ALL the wrong things.

The pack says we'll be working on
Health & Safety
Tools
Safe Isolation
Pre-Work Surveys
Unsafe Conditions
Bonding Requirements
SWA Lighting Installations and
First Aid

For those who have completed week one of this course, in your experience, is this pretty much accurate?

Have I left anything out? - Because the TMA's I've completed also touched on Wiring / Cabling - but this doesn't seem to be on the practical until Week Two...

Thanks in advance for any comments - and best of luck one and all in your careers.

KK

 

[JSPM]

Hi KingKenny.
Although i did the plumbing side of things, I did find the schedule given to me for week one study and tma's align to the in centre practical and classroom work. good luck and enjoy.

 

[KingKenny]

Thanks for the quick reply JS, much appreciated.

 

[MThomas]

Hi i did that coarse. very good but expensive.dont forget to add on price of acomadation and food for practical weeks

Hi,could anyone who has done the the plumbing course at the eastleigh place,please contact me(students only)as I have a couple os question to ask,thank you
[email protected]

 

[Dimitris]

Hi,

I would like to know does anyone got the electrician job after finished step 6 through the NCS? The seller guy put very big point on that as a great advantage so I just would like to know how practically is it real.

Regards

 

[stuartgil]

Hi everyone - I registered with NCS back in late Autumn last year and will be attending my first week of Electrical Practical training/assessment in a few weeks time having passed the three TMA's. Outside of some (very) basic D.I.Y., I don't have a massive anount of practical experience in Electrics having worked in retail pretty much all my life till I left work late last year.

Now, I don't want the inside info on any specifics - that'd be way out of order, but it would be helpful if someone could tell me what the content of week ONE is likely to be as the 'blurb' I was given by the Sales guy is a bit confusing. Essentially, I don't want to spend the last few weeks before Week One Practical re-studying ALL the wrong things.

The pack says we'll be working on
Health & Safety
Tools
Safe Isolation
Pre-Work Surveys
Unsafe Conditions
Bonding Requirements
SWA Lighting Installations and
First Aid

For those who have completed week one of this course, in your experience, is this pretty much accurate?

Have I left anything out? - Because the TMA's I've completed also touched on Wiring / Cabling - but this doesn't seem to be on the practical until Week Two...

Thanks in advance for any comments - and best of luck one and all in your careers.

KK

hi kingkenny, My names stuart and i am attending the first practical session on the first week of july. How did you find your first practical session? Also where did u stay whilst you were attending that week? I have been given a few places near the centre and was wondering if you had any positive comments for accomodation!! Good luck for the rest of your course,

atb stuart.