NVQ 2356 - Do I need this !!!

[david.saxon]

Hi All,

Just finished my 2330 Level 3, I have my 17th edition and taking my 2391 in September.

I am being told that I now need my NVQ to become fully qualified sparks.

Is this totally correct and needed.

A very grey area and I need to clarify this.

Thanks for your help.


Dave

 

[platty1005]

Hi Dave

Sorry If I appeared a bit patronising I wrongly assumed you were new to the trade. In my expereince it is the younger inexperienced sparkies who fail 2391 because they are pressurised into enrolling before they are ready. As you have pointed out the problem is, many firms are asking for 2391 before you can get a start.

Good luck

 

[MACA0379]

I have been self employed for just over two years after completing the 2330 L2/3, following that i also done the 2391, I didnt complete a NVQ as my former employer said I didnt need it (Personally I think they were refused funding to cover it) Recently I have been refused entry to sites as I dont have a JIB/ECS card to cover me for electrical work. (CSCS cards dont cover electrical work) so I have lost work by not having an NVQ, hence I am now working towards the NVQ to gain JIB electrician status. I believe the 2356 is being phased out and replaced by a diploma and you will also have to complete the AM2 if you have not enrolled by march 2011.

 

[Lucas123]

Hi platty1005,

I see you you are a 2391 assessor.

Do you know the pass mark for the theory either in % or marks out of the 150 wise ?

many thanks

 

[sparky1502]

u do need the am2 to complete the nvq its compulsory now and u need the l2-l3 tech cert it all forms the nvq l3

 

[Guest123]

Hi platty1005,

I see you you are a 2391 assessor.

Do you know the pass mark for the theory either in % or marks out of the 150 wise ?


many thanks

That post is over 18 months old.

 

[thekingiam]

hello just to say i aplied 2 years ago for a card i was given senior graded electrical trainee i had 2360 1,2 ,2391 was told i needed to get nq3 within 2 years or they would give me a labourers card.
had a few jobs as an electricians mate via agencies but none of the contracts were long enough to start a nvq3 now my card has expired, most jobs require jib cards to work on sites.
it seems crazy to me that to join napit,etc they dont need nvq3 so ime thinking of setting up myself ,expensive way around but no choices left.

 

[RETIREDSPARKY]

NVQ level 3 is made of two parts one part is the 2330 underpinning knowledge which is usually caried out in College and the second part is the 2356 which is the on-site evidence completed in work, evidence of which is shown in a log book [portfolio] and assessed by your training organisation. If the College told you that after successfully completing the 2330 will qualify you as an electrician they were wrong.

 

[yamar1]

u do need the am2 to complete the nvq its compulsory now and u need the l2-l3 tech cert it all forms the nvq l3

you only need to do the am2 if you are a new starter in the trade (i.e apprentice). if you have been working in the trade as a mate or improver for a couple of years you dont need to do the am2 to get the 2356 nvq 3.

however as we all know its changing really soon, so if you need the nvq3 to get the gold card get registered on it now before it ends.

 

[Mikeymike77]

NVQ level 3 is made of two parts one part is the 2330 underpinning knowledge which is usually caried out in College and the second part is the 2356 which is the on-site evidence completed in work, evidence of which is shown in a log book [portfolio] and assessed by your training organisation. If the College told you that after successfully completing the 2330 will qualify you as an electrician they were wrong.

That depends on your definition of qaulified.

When you say made up in two parts you mean you need both qaulifications to complete the set?

 

[RETIREDSPARKY]

Yes to need to complete and pass both to gain your NVQ 2356.
To call yourself qualified should mean the same as the definition in the big red book on competent.

 

[tonys]

hello just to say i aplied 2 years ago for a card i was given senior graded electrical trainee i had 2360 1,2 ,2391 was told i needed to get nq3 within 2 years or they would give me a labourers card.
had a few jobs as an electricians mate via agencies but none of the contracts were long enough to start a nvq3 now my card has expired, most jobs require jib cards to work on sites.
it seems crazy to me that to join napit,etc they dont need nvq3 so ime thinking of setting up myself ,expensive way around but no choices left.

City & Guilds 2361 and 2362 went hand in hand with the AM1 and the AM2 and 2 training books filled out by an employer (in the 1980s)

I would of thought if you at least gained the AM2 and 17th edition and the ecs health and safety with a couple of references from companies you have worked for, the JIB might grade you especially with your 2391.

Phone the JIB and ask them, because joining napit or any other scheme provider still won't give you any more clout.

Also you still see jobs advertised with agencies asking for sparks with the 17th and 2391 and references as proof of experience.

 

[thekingiam]

Thanks Tonys rang about two weeks ago and was told I needed nvq3 and after speaking to the women realised she didn,t have a clue.
Was told that they didn't grade over the phone and to apply and see, even when I was asking what quals etc were required as well as the ones I have I was told I needed 2330 and it was a three year course I explained that the qualifications I have surely superseed 2330 and was again told to apply and see !

 

[tonys]

OK mate - Under the 1983 JIB Training Scheme for Electrical Installation Craftsmen and Technicians (I know that's a long while ago but the criteria ain't changed a great deal) To be eligible for Grading as an Electrician and, after two years, as Approved Electrician you needed to pass 2361 & 2362 and the AM1 & AM2.

If you only passed the 2361 and AM1 & AM2 you were eligible for Grading as an Electrician.

All you can do is try mate, but without the AM2 you ain't got a lot of hope imo, because in the scheme of things it is an essential part of the criteria and well weighted. That in its self is a skills test and people do fail it, so people who can't pass it can't be a lot of good imo.

If you do go for it and want some information in relation to what the references need to cover for your work experience give me a shout.

 

[thekingiam]

Thanks Tonys will give it a shot in the new year anyone know where am2 testing centres are and rough costs?
Or should I just google.

 

[tonys]

Here's a link with some info Electrical Qualifications - AM2 News, Hints and Tips the practical performance assessment