New Career Skills

[philp]

Hi I am thinking of becoming a domestic electrician. I'm past my prime(55) but have re-wired houses before. A company called New Career Skills seems like a good option for me; the course looks good, but the price looks very high to me? I'm worrried about being ripped off...when I first contacted the receptionist on the phone I asked the approximate price of the course and was told £6000 (although pricey it did seem to have many features that I feel I might need). Anyway an appointment was made for a gentleman to come around and explain more. I spoke to the guy on the phone and mentioned the £6000, to which he said that it depends how you pay and that it might only be 5500 if payed in full. He then came around and the price suddenly became £6795. Now for me this is a gamble, and I am fully aware of some of the pitfalls; however I have been working for myself for 25+ years (in software) and would like to continue to work for myself (seems a good idea to try). So really I am wondering if I would be being ripped off here? Has anyone else done the course or enrolled recently. Am I being conned here, or is this the approximate cost of the course? I must admit I like the flexibility of the course and the support they appear to give. Any comments welcome and thanks for reading this.

 

[malcolmsanford]

DON"T DO IT..................... not because of the argument that you will be a 5 week wonder and the qualifications are not worth anything, that is all relative as to the person, just because at the moment in my 40 yrs in the industry it as never been in such bad shape. Just read a few threads on here with guys offereing FREE, yes FREE labour to get experience after such courses, have a look in your area and do a survey on how many Domestic installers, as that is what you would be, are all trying to find work.

If you really determined to get into the industry contact a local college and look at an extended night course, cheaper and it will give you much better training.

By the way what is a Prime 55 qualification?

 

[Paul.M]

I don't know anything about this training provider but £6k+ is a lot of money to become an electrician. Have you looked at your local college for electrical courses? It might be to late for this year but worth checking as the cost is a lot less than £6k. The best route imo is the C&G 2330 level 2 and 3, 17th ed and the 2391. These can be done on evening classes if you are working full time but it will take 3 years min to achieve these qualifications. Don't forget your buying a service so shop around for the best price for what you are getting. You haven't mentioned what qualifications you will receive for your money, please post them up so we can tell you if its worth it. Ps welcome.

 

[Paul.M]

Malcolm beat me to it. Prime 55????? Also, if their sending a salesman round to your house doesn't that start alarm bells ringing? Your not buying double glazing after all!

 

[philp]

Thanks for your help. I'm 55 years old and certainly cant wait 3 years. The course is good for me because I can continue working in my old job and complete the course over 18 months ( I would wish to do this quicker). I have been told that the course would qualify me to become a domestic electrician and I could then register with NICEIC or ELECSA. Amongst other qualifications I would receive 1. EAL Level 2 certificate for Domestic Electrical Installers Part 'P' Complient and 2. City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Fundamental Inspection. Testing and Inital Verification (2392). The course is also supposedly good because I would get support from the tutors for the rest of my working life, also they give you hands on experiance with other electricians in your area ( I know; sounds a little optimistic, but thats what they tell me). I fully agree with you, about there is no way I can compete with someone with the qualifications with 40 years experiance...but I am keen to try a new career and provided I'm legal and work hard, I am seriously considering it. Thanks again. My main question still stands, Am I being ripped off...has anyone else registered with this course recently?

 

[Steve65]

He said he's past his prime (55) as in he's 55 years old, not he's passed his prime 55. :teeth_smile:

 

[malcolmsanford]

Cheeky sod Phiipl I'm over 55 and I have not past my prime lol.

I appreciate what your saying mate, and of course if your determined to do it then of course do it. Just as I said there are lots and lots of guys that have done this a struggled, not to say that you will, but it is a difficult time. Perhaps who knows 18 months time it may all be rosy again in the industry.

 

[AP Electrical]

He said he's past his prime (55) as in he's 55 years old, not he's passed his prime 55. :teeth_smile:

Had a good laugh at that one :smile5:

 

[gooner1984]

hi mate, that is a high price, ring train 4 trades up me and my mate done the course for a domestic installer its around 4k and its week 5 in class in total, but if you wanna do extra ie 2391 level 3 its 8 weeks in class then its just under 6k, some lads on here say about 5 week wonder, but it ant like that me and my mate had past experience in electrical (my was all on the railway mind you total different to domestic) and we done it to get the qualification, its up to you

good luck :smile5:

 

[Paul.M]

He said he's past his prime (55) as in he's 55 years old, not he's passed his prime 55. :teeth_smile:

Note to yourself Paul, pay attention to the post :smilielol5: funny.

 

[SparkyMarkie]

Philp, I'm in the same situation as you, (but just slightly younger at 40 years old). I've been looking into the various options for around a month now and £6000 is waaaaaaaaayyyyyyy too much to pay if your goal is to become a DI! For 6 grand (and a good few years training on and off the job) you would be looking at a course that would give you all the qualifications needed to be a 'fully qualified' electrician capable of working in the commercial and industrial sector with C&G's 2391, 2330/2357 etc.

The bare minimum to register as a DI with Elecsa is, from what I can work out from their website, just a thorough understanding of the building regs that apply to electrical installation work, and knowledge of BS7671: 2008. If you do not already have it, the C&G qualification 2382 will be required within one year of you joining. The will send an assesor out to check two installs you've carried out and ask you for a large chunck of change to join their scheme. (you may also need the EAL VRQ level 2, but I don't think so. Could someone else confirm this?)

I'm doing it the other way around. I've got myself copies of BS7671, Electricians Guide to building regs, and the On Site Guide, and am reading them thoroughly. My cousin is a builder, and he is arranging some 'work experience' for me within the next couple of weeks with the electrician he uses. After that, I will probably enrol on a short course, and look for more experience.

£6000 to become a DI is just crazy! Where are you from?

ETA: Re the C&G 2382, it seems that it is just an exam about whether or not you can read the BRB, (BS7671) so from what others have told me, you don't need to do a course to gain that qualification. Just buy the book, learn how to use it, do a few past papers (found online) and then book in for the exam alone at a centre that can accomodate you. When my BRB first arrived, I had a quick look through it, then downloaded a few test papers and had a mock exam. I scored 90% on that first 'exam' but I'm going to keep reading the book to absorb as much info as possible before I consider taking the exam.

 

[malcolmsanford]

I'm going to go and hit the tea boy

 

[SparkyMarkie]

I'm going to go and hit the tea boy

Times must be good for you if you can afford to employ a tea boy!

 

[philp]

Thanks everyone for your input. This course for me would be good, because I can continue working with my old job, whilst learning up about becoming an electrician. It also apparently gives me the opportunity to work with local electricians and get advice from my tutors anytime in the future whilst working as a domestic electrician. This might help me a little tinsy bit around the 5 week wonder. I'm not totally green (I have rewired three houses in the past), but I will never be able to compete with electricians with 10+ years experiance. But I am keen to give it a go. I think that if I do this, I will try and cap it to 6k. The work prospects worry me a little. All the hype that I have read says that we are short of electricians. A plumber friend of mine says that once qualified I should not have to much trouble getting work. In fact the last couple of weeks I have come across three people that need there housees re-wired (this only came up because I mentioned that I was thinking of becomming an electrician). Thats probably fluke!!! So is it really that bad out there???? Thanks so much for your time.

 

[Paul.M]

Philip have a look at how many fully qualified sparks are on this forum at 2pm on a Monday, myself included. Now have a look at how many DI jobs are advertised in your local area and what quals + experience you need to get a job. I'm all for people bettering themselves at any age but I have to be truthful, its hard out there atm but but the time you've passed whichever course it might be better, then again saying that how many people are doing the same as you and will be looking for work in 18 months time? Good luck in whatever direction you choose and we will be happy to help you along your way.