New career

[Robbo007]

Hi everyone!

This is my first post so please go easy

I've decided that I want a change of career and become an electrician.
I currently work 9 to 5 in an office, but I feel that now is the time to move onto something more hands-on and challenging aswell as enjoyable and lucrative.

Im hoping to get pointed in the right direction of where to begin in and which course to take. I've heard that the C&G qualifications are the main ones to take, so if anyone can advise me on how and what then I'd really appreciate it.

I live in Essex, so a course somewhere in the county would be ideal as well as part time and in the evening.

Thanks!!

 

[VoltzElectrical]

a match made in heaven! good luck both. keep in touch on here.

 

[Robbo007]

Yeah i started in September. done our first exam 201. got 202 exam beginning of June. Doing practical exam before the college year is up too! Let me know if you have any more questions.

I had a look at the propectus and it said that the entry requirements would be a minimum of a D GCSE grade in Maths or Science. I never got a D in any of those subjects (in fact I got lower)...am I screwed then? :-/

 

[Paul.M]

I had a look at the propectus and it said that the entry requirements would be a minimum of a D GCSE grade in Maths or Science. I never got a D in any of those subjects (in fact I got lower)...am I screwed then? :-/

Have a word with the enrollment person at the college. They ask for gcse's due to the level of learning involved on the maths and science side of things. The college may do a maths and English test on enrollment to see if you need extra help in the classroom (they have an obligation to give help to those that need it). They want to make sure that you understand the lessons and don't fall behind, drop out or fail the course. That would not help the college stats or their funding.

Don't worrie too much about it, as I've said have a word with them.

 

[Robbo007]

I will do thanks!

Ok so lets just say then I complete the courses level 2 & 3 (After 3 years)...where do I from there...do I apply for an electrical company? I wanna be a domestic electrician/installer

 

[pushrod]

I will do thanks!

Ok so lets just say then I complete the courses level 2 & 3 (After 3 years)...where do I from there...do I apply for an electrical company? I wanna be a domestic electrician/installer

Unfortunately you won't be a good self employed one without a lot of experience


You would also need the 17th wiring regs exam (2382 ?) and have a yearly assessment by a part p provider and learn all about the joys of a competent persons scheme. Possibly need further quals as well by the time you get your initial training out of the way. Oh and plus the £1000+ for testers and kit! Thought about plumbing

 

[Robbo007]

Unfortunately you won't be a good self employed one without a lot of experience


You would also need the 17th wiring regs exam (2382 ?) and have a yearly assessment by a part p provider and learn all about the joys of a competent persons scheme. Possibly need further quals as well by the time you get your initial training out of the way. Oh and plus the £1000+ for testers and kit! Thought about plumbing

Well Im only 26 in a deadend job so what is there to lose

 

[elektrisien]

Yeah, go for it ! Anything worth while in life is going to be difficult. We are just talking about becoming an electrician, its not like wanting to be the CEO of an investment bank. Dont listen to anybody making negative comments. I myself did level 2360 part 1and 2 during the evenings after work. It was 3 evenings a week from 6 till 9 for 2 years. At that time I worked 7 days a week most weeks with maybe 1 day of a month. It was a warehouse job where you are on your feet all day. It was tough of course, I fell asleep anywhere, when I closed my eyes for more than 5 min. After that I did 17th Edition and Part P was included as a bonus. I am now doing NVQ3 and before end of the year Inspection and Testing. After all this, I will start my own company. There are good money to be made.

 

[Robbo007]

Yeah, go for it ! Anything worth while in life is going to be difficult. We are just talking about becoming an electrician, its not like wanting to be the CEO of an investment bank. Dont listen to anybody making negative comments. I myself did level 2360 part 1and 2 during the evenings after work. It was 3 evenings a week from 6 till 9 for 2 years. At that time I worked 7 days a week most weeks with maybe 1 day of a month. It was a warehouse job where you are on your feet all day. It was tough of course, I fell asleep anywhere, when I closed my eyes for more than 5 min. After that I did 17th Edition and Part P was included as a bonus. I am now doing NVQ3 and before end of the year Inspection and Testing. After all this, I will start my own company. There are good money to be made.

Congratulations on almost completing the course

How long did the 17th edition and Part P courses take?
Plus how long does the NVQ course take?

 

[elektrisien]

The 17th Edition took 2 weeks, 3 days a week. You can do it much shorter I think like in a intensive course, but you learn more if you take your time. The NVQ is distance learning, where you must give prove of actually doing the job. So you will have to take pictures, supply documents like drawings, or work permits where relevant etc. You then give description what you are doing, answer some questions. keep a site dairy. Its like your on the job training. I think the shortest you can do it is 6 weeks, if you have all proof and evidence like photos. Otherwise its 2 years at the longest, if I am not mistaken. You send this to your assessor, and when they are happy, they will send it to City and Guilds. Many guys dont to their NVQ3 because its not something they really ask for that often when you apply for jobs. But if you want to be JIB registered, or go and work in another country, you will need it.
Part p is only a 1 day course, basically a introduction to the building regulations. 1 hour exam with 20 multiple choice questions. I only did it because I got it for free with the 17 Edition course, otherwise its like £220. You will only need if you go self employed as a domestic installer.

 

[Robbo007]

Nice one! Thanks for that!

I'm sure with those qualifications the electrical/electrician companies wouldn't turn down that applicant.

 

[Jazza]

and experience mate, that is the key, let everyone you know, what you intend to do, and someone might just know someone who may give you a shot. and if things get low, stick at it and take one step at a time.... good luck

 

[Robbo007]

Yeah i started in September. done our first exam 201. got 202 exam beginning of June. Doing practical exam before the college year is up too! Let me know if you have any more questions.

Just out of interest alexknight0602, did the tutor there explain how to gain employment once the course was over???

 

[Penance]

Apply for jobs would be best.

 

[Jonesy83]

we do know that part p is not a real qualification dont we its a building regulation

 

[alexknight0602]

Just out of interest alexknight0602, did the tutor there explain how to gain employment once the course was over???

No hasnt gone into any detail about employment, but so much can change between enrolment, during the course and qualifying!
Going back back to your original question about the GCSE's i did have the required grades but still had to do a 20 question test on some basic maths. Even if i hadnt passed it they would still have taken me on the course. Bums on seats means more money for the college. I can check with any of the other guys on the course about the grades they have. They range from 19 to late 30's in age on the course.