New Grading Card

[wireman357]

Hello all, stumbled across this site and glad of it.
I have a question which I hope someone might know the answer. I held a JIB approved electrician card about 15 years ago. I got the city and guilds 236 parts 1 and 2 during my apprenticeship. For the last 15 years I have been working in South Africa as an electrician. I ran my own business doing commercial installation work on shopping malls and small office buildings mainly.
I called the JIB about getting a new grading card and they won't give me a new card unless I do a 17th edition course and an ECS course. I intend to be working here in the UK for the next year or so. Everywhere I have applied for jobs is asking for at least a JIB approved card + 17th edition + ECS.
I saw an advert for a part time 12 month electrician course which will give me a 2391 (JIB Tech.) qualification at the end of it. Tell me that this isn't true.
Instead of doing the 17th edition and ECS and at the end of it, hopefully get a JIB electrician card, I might as well pay the money, do this 2391 course and get a new JIB tech card.
It is really annoying that after 20 years as an electrician, I feel that I have to sign up for a course along side a bunch of guys who, no disrespect, are sneaking in the back door.
I need to call the JIB again and clarify this.
Is it different now?
I thought that 4 years gave you an electrician card, 4 +2 years the approved card and 4 + 5 years in the trade you could get the JIB Tech. card. Is it possible to get a JIB tech card in 12 months?
How the hell can anyone call themselves an electrician after 12 months, let alone a JIB Technician electrician?

 

[ian.settle1]

A 17th edition will take you approximately a week as you will need to do the full course and the ECS test will take you half a day(go to the JIB website and you can download the booklet with all the questions and answers)

If you have already held a JIB approved you will get another with these 2 exams/tests due to grandfather rights.

To get a Technicians card you need 2391-20 Design, Erection and Verification course.

At one time if you had a JIB Technicians card you could not be paid at a lower rate but not many people wanted sparks with a Tech card don't know if this is still the case.

 

[millwall ken]

A 17th edition will take you approximately a week as you will need to do the full course and the ECS test will take you half a day(go to the JIB website and you can download the booklet with all the questions and answers)

If you have already held a JIB approved you will get another with these 2 exams/tests due to grandfather rights.

To get a Technicians card you need 2391-20 Design, Erection and Verification course.

At one time if you had a JIB Technicians card you could not be paid at a lower rate but not many people wanted sparks with a Tech card don't know if this is still the case.

Well if its not the case now adays, then it bloody well should be.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

The JIB now run the electrical side of the CSCS scheme.
In order to get an ECS card, you have to take and pass a H&S exam, every 3 years or so.
Without any qualifications, and without having completed an apprenticeship, you would be graded as a labourer.
To obtain any grading of electrician or approved you must have a minimum of 2360 part 2 (or modern equivelant), knowledge of the 17th edition, the H&S exam (or another qualification which allows exemption) and now an NVQ3. As you have already been issued a card, you may not require the NVQ3? For approved status, you must also now have the 2391.
If you obtain any of the required qualifications (2360,2391 etc.) under the 17th, you may not then require a separate 17th qualification.
To be honest it does appear a bit hit and miss. I know of electricians being graded as labourers, with the same qualifications as others being as installation electricians.

 

[j.mawer]

No you cann't go from no qualifications - technician in a year. Give the JIB website a read and see what you need for a specific grade and you'll find that your rage is a bit misplaced.
JIB Grading Definitions - Technician Grade
To be a JIB technician you require 5 years at approved electrican level. If you have 2391 and 2382 (17th edition) but don't have an NVQ 3 then you get to be a labourer and won't have your quals on that card.

Seems perfectly fair that you should do the 17th editon test if you haven't worked to them before, likewise the ECS test given you haven't been around for 15 years. As the previous post said its not a big deal. Assuming you did 16th edition when you last worked in the UK you could do an upgrade course at your local college for about £150 with a one day revision session. Seems like a small amount to pay if you think you can get work out of it, and they say you can have the card with just those additional qualifications

 

[ian.settle1]

Spinlondon and j.mawer don't think you have read his posting properly, He has already been graded as an Approved Electrician 15 years ago before he went to South Africa

 

[j.mawer]

Ian I don't think you read the last 2 lines which is what I was addressing (first paragraph). I think my post agreed with yours with regard to the OP getting a card except I queried if he could just do the update (second paragraph)

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Spinlondon and j.mawer don't think you have read his posting properly, He has already been graded as an Approved Electrician 15 years ago before he went to South Africa

Yes and you now require the 2391 to renew an Approved Electrician grade.

 

[mogga]

SOLUTION Get your 17th edd ECS Stay at a BnB in Scotland apply to SJIB for approved card you never know might get it without 2391 like half the migrants

 

[SMB]

ive just had quite a nice experience whilst talking to the JiB on the phone.

im looking to hold an approved electricians card. i explained this to the helpful woman on the other end of the phone. She asked me about my qualifications and she was definately very informed about what qualifications were what.

i explained to her i was only interested in an approved electricians card and she explained this can not be advised over the phone. she is going to send me the application details.

this is the interesting bit............

i will have to pay £5 for the application, but, if i make a note on my application that i am not interested in anything below approved electrician status (and this status isn't given to me) then my money will be refunded.

you can't say better than that.