New here looking for advice

joe_w86 · May 5, 2016

Hi i'm new here so I'll just give a little history of what I've tried to do so far. A couple of years ago I decided to do a course with Trades Gateway, something which had I of looked here first I wouldn't of bothered with (more fool me). I found it rushed, badly organised and the tutors seemed like they didn't really want to be there. It seemed geared to just getting through the exams with the explanation of things taking a back seat. This is not how I want to learn. Anyway I've put that down to experience and moved on.

I am now looking at doing the City & Guilds 2365 Level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Electrical Installations through my local college or through another locally based company. So basically I'd like to know is it worth doing and what are the work prospects after getting the qualification? Any help and guidance would be massively appreciated.

Joe

hightower · May 5, 2016

I'm coming to the end of the 2365 L2, and I have to say I'm loving it. Is it worth doing? To go down the industry recognised route, yes. But I must stress you should not enter in to this course thinking it's going to teach you everything you need to know to rewire a house, or design a factory installation - only hands on experience will give you that, and so many on my course have said "this is s***, we're learning nothing to do with the trade" because they enter with the mentality it will give them the experience needed to succeed. It won't, it will only give you the knowledge. I've passed every exam so far with 100% marks :deal: but I must stress, the only reason I think I've been able to do this is because I learn primarily through experience, and then the classroom reinforces that learning and understanding.

So, I'm not saying don't do it - it's a big outlay that's all, and becoming an electrician won't happen in a year or two. But to answer your question, if you want to become a spark, the 2365 is the place to start. But also try and get hands on experience under the wings of some qualified sparks and you'll be well on your way....

Good luck!

telectrix · May 5, 2016

just same as what he said^^^^^.the 2365 is your starter for 10. then, with practical experience, go for am2 and nvq3. i can't stress the practical side overmuch. it is essential. there's loads of sparks out there got all the paper exams, but without practical experience under a mentor, some of them, i'd not trust to wire a plug correctly.

Irina Nistor · May 5, 2016

Dear Joe. electricity has a great deal of work, future is electrics, you can make good money on site, private jobs are always in the way. Is not a qualification that you need only. You need to be organised, focused and face chalanges, face the work gaps, the travelling to jobs, learning always new things, etc. If you are a kind of sitting duck that thinks he has to be there to be payed you will suffer, but still you can make a living out of it.

SparkyAndGeorge · May 5, 2016

Do your level 2, level 3, then 17th edition, meanwhile looking for work an an electricians mate. When you've got those papers do your NVQ3. Even when you've got all those papers you still won't know a thing compared to experienced sparkys but we all have to start somewhere.

joe_w86 · May 8, 2016

Thanks for all your replies, they've been really helpful. It's something I really want to do and I'm hoping if I look around someone might allow me to tag along with them on the weekends (for free) until I can find a job as an electricians mate. Going to get some letters written and start asking round in the next week or so. I've applied to the local college and it's goingntobbe January, so it's a start at least.

Cheers again.

Adam W · May 8, 2016

Finding your first jobs will be the hard part - everyone seems to want someone with experience, which you can't get if nobody will give you a job. It's the same with starting any new career though; stick with it and be prepared to start from the bottom and soon the job offers will come flooding in.
Is it worth doing? I'd say it was the best thing I ever did.