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!!

 

[Engineer54]

The reason that system was scrapped was because it was unfair. From an employer point of view, if you know Distinction is the highest grade, why would you settle for less? You wouldn't, unless the person with a lower mark made up for it in other ways and what other way could they make up for it outside of job knowledge? Well if they had job knowledge would they not get a distinction anyway? It's a redundant system.

Your right, it is unfair, unfair to all those that excelled in the exam!!

This is typical of the whole education systems in the UK these day's, seems that everything is being based to the lowest standard, instead of excellence!!

Funny really, the credit/distinction system was the norm/standard of grading exam results, certainly from the very first time i ever sat an exam. ....Now deemed unfair, so as to appease those that just manage to scrape through!! ....absolute bulls**t!! It's unfair to the student that excelled, and unfair to the employer too, both are being ignored in favour for the low achiever!!

Written/theory exam results are nothing whatsoever to do with practical achievement, they are completely separated (unless based on a practical element) and therefore should not influence one way or the other.

 

[stuartgil]

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.

very good and honest break down of the course, I'm a carpenter by trade and want to broaden my employment qualities so have taken on this course hoping to gain a good grounding to electrics. I have done some work with an electrician who i know so have some basic knowledge, can i ask how you found the pv course as i have signed up for that as well but speaking to alot of electricians they are now telling me its a waste of time because the market is very slow with pv panels! Also does any one know from the qualifications you gain from this course would you be able to advance them with perhaps an NVQ3 as i would like to work in the commercial side of electrics!

 

[stuartgil]

Hi all, has anyone taken on this course from the welsh side of the bridge? I've just had this buzzing around my head where i was told that they may be able to sort out work experience for students. I was told that it could be with previous students that have completed the course and have now set there own business up or it would be with a local company but as i'm reading further into this forum how many ppl now have a successful business that have done this course?

Also as i've already mentioned in reply to another thread has any one gone on to advance their qualifications since completing this course? I know of a few ppl who are working as a competent person that have done 17th edition short course, 2391 inspection and testing and one or two other short courses and seem to gain employment with no problems, but i'm thinking does this then limit where they can work regarding domestic, commercial or industrial as i would like to give my self the best employment oppurtunities of what jobs i would be able to apply for.

 

[Raiden777]

Hi Guys
I am booked to go on the 2nd practical week with NCS, but it's not for another month, can anyone who has completed week 3 tell me what the week 3 theory and tma's involve so that I can do some study in the meantime?
Many thanks.

 

[stephen1974]

Hi Guys
I am booked to go on the 2nd practical week with NCS, but it's not for another month, can anyone who has completed week 3 tell me what the week 3 theory and tma's involve so that I can do some study in the meantime?
Many thanks.

Do you not already have the work for week 3 in your folder ? if i recalls you do your 2382 and 2377 on that week, so regulations and testing and inspection. Good opportunity to tab up your books and understand where to look for regs and information.

 

[Raiden777]

No - they give you the study pack for each week, and any additional books we need, at the end of the completed practical week. So I only have up to week 2. Are there any tma's?

 

[stephen1974]

No - they give you the study pack for each week, and any additional books we need, at the end of the completed practical week. So I only have up to week 2. Are there any tma's?

Hmm changed since I did it then. We were given everything up front, or at least we were supposed to. Some people on the course had 4 tma's in week 3, my pack only had 3 tma's in and I never receieved anything for week 5 until I turned up on the day, yet everyone else had there week 5 stuff and I spent my first night doing 3 TMA's to catch up.

The course work focused on the sequence of testing required, test instruments and filling out the test certificate.
TMA 3.1 looked at safe isolation, bonding, identifying wiring and initial visual inspections.
TMA 3.2 looked at regulations. EWR, IEE, BS 7671, CDM, HSG 141,
TMA 3.3 looked at Test sequence, test equipment, expected test outcomes and common faults, identifying 3 phase

 

[Raiden777]

That's brilliant thanks
I have been looking at job opportunities once I qualify with ncs and they all seem to require a jib card, do you know if they would give me one and if not what I would need to do to get one?

 

[stephen1974]

That's brilliant thanks
I have been looking at job opportunities once I qualify with ncs and they all seem to require a jib card, do you know if they would give me one and if not what I would need to do to get one?

Have a look at Joint Industry Board

 

[Johnuk]

its because they don't what Electrical Trainee/ domestic installers to work for them

 

[Breaker]

Remember though that these courses are designed for mature students that already have heaps of experience. They are just lacking the qualifications.

Apprenticeships are the opposite, a way to train a youngster with no experience, that's why apprenticeships are longer.

An apprentice would not be able to get through this course because of lack of experience. You need to be switched on to get through this but the salesman won't tell you this.