New ish member, need help getting into a nvq

peter m · Apr 22, 2014

Hello, my name is Pete.

Over the last 4 years I attended a local college and completed the level two 2330 two nights a week for two years whilst working out of the industry full time. I then spent another year and finished a pat testing course, 17th edition course and the level three 2365.

I have since been working for the past 6 months as an electrical labourer for an industrial electrical contractors but have so far struggled find a training provider so I can start the level three nvq.

I have to pay for my own education, I'm now 28 years old and Have received distinctions in everything I have done up to now.

I am under no illusions that I am ready to do my am2 and I recognise that i am not time served as such.

Can anybody recommend a training provider to me or give me some suggestions as to what I should do next?

I just want to be a qualified electrician but have so far spent a lot of money and time be no further along than when I started.

Regards
Pete

happysteve · Apr 22, 2014

Hi Pete,

Not sure if this reply will be helpful to you or not, it is intended to be but I might have got the wrong end of the stick!

As I'm sure you know, to do your 2357 NVQ3 you need to be working in the trade, and you build up a portfolio of work. As you've done 2365 level 3, you can do a bridging unit (to complete the small differences in the 2365/2357 curricula) and your portfolio.

I'm currently doing 2365 level 3 with "Training in Electrical Ltd" in Nottingham. They offer the 2357 NVQ3. You need an employer who will let you do the work required for your portfolio... But if you've got that bit sorted, then you're all sorted.

peter m · Apr 22, 2014

Can I ask what units are missing that I'll need to complete in the bridging unit?

Forgot to mention, I live in Cheshire/Derbyshire.

My problem is that I don't really know where to go from here, I have work in the industry, I know i need to the nvq portfolio, but i can't seem to find any way doing that. The portfolio, without doing an apprenticeship.

happysteve · Apr 22, 2014

Hi Pete,

I don't rightly know what the bridging unit is. The material for the 2365 level 3 and the 2357 (apart from the portfolio) look pretty much the same to me. It will take one day, by the sound of it, so can't be too onerous!

You don't need to be an apprentice to do a portfolio. I'm sure others will correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that it is a number of thoroughly documented jobs. You'd need to speak with a training provider - or get advice from someone in the know (either because they've done it, or they "teach" it) - about the type of work that qualifies. My understanding is that, provided your employer will (a) give you enough work that will qualify, (b) allow you to document it and (c) allow one of the training centre assessors to visit you on site, then you're laughing.

Talk to Rob at T.I.E., he's a generally nice bloke who will tell you it straight.

Hope that's helpful.

peter m · Apr 22, 2014

Happy Steve, I owe you a pint mate. That website outlines exactly where I thought I was with it. The other training providers I've tried to ask for information have been no use what do ever.

Do you have a phone number for Rob so I could get in contact with him?