'Older' guy looking to train, advice sought.

[Domlee]

Hi All

Basically, like many others, i'm looking for advice. I'm 25, soon to be 26 and would like a career as an electrician. I've been reading the various threads but its seems somewhat confusing and I'm not sure where I should be looking to start.

As I understand, experience is what counts. However, being the age that I am (25/26), would this immediately put me at a disadvantage for an apprenticeship? I have read about people suggesting to buy a '17th edition' book and to take the test rather than paying for a beginners course, is it worth it? I'm against doing any sort of online course really, but needs must if that is what I am recommended.

The only official 'experience' I have is that I studied Electronics at GCSE level gaining an A grade.

If someone could point me in the right direction of where to start, it would be much appreciated. I was hoping to find a guidance thread but I'm not having much luck.

Thanks

Dom

 

[Richard Burns]

Welcome to the forum.

If you search "train as an electrician" on this forum you will find about 1000 threads all asking the same thing.
There are two ways fast and bad or slow and good.
Age of 25 should not count against you particularly but a lot of funding is for 18-24.

This site may help to provide some guidance on qualifications etc.

 

[Domlee]

Welcome to the forum.

If you search "train as an electrician" on this forum you will find about 1000 threads all asking the same thing.
There are two ways fast and bad or slow and good.
Age of 25 should not count against you particularly but a lot of funding is for 18-24.

This site may help to provide some guidance on qualifications etc.

Hi, many thanks for the info. I will check it out.

Regards

Dominic

 

[Nifty]

Hi Domlee,

Go for it!

Level 2+3 C&G 2330 (3 years college)
17th edition (4 day course)
C&G 2394 (10 week course)
C&G 2395 (10 week course)

cost = approx £2000 (West Midlands)

Then after that you will get people that say you need the NVQ and AM2, but the ones above will get you started.
Hope this helps

 

[Domlee]

Hi

I've been reading through the threads and contacted my local college about studying the c&g nvq level 1-3 but still have a couple of questions regarding becoming 'fully qualified'.

Am I correct in thinking that once I've completed the c&g nvqs to level 3, I can then do the 17th edition and the other courses mentioned above, which will then help me to get a job perhaps working as an electricians mate? Where I can hopefully be assessed in practice and on the road to becoming qualified?

It's a long route I know, but I have no interest in the short courses and getting an apprenticeship at my age seems almost impossible.

I just don't want to spend years on these courses and thousands of pounds, if the nvqs can't even get my foot in the door so to speak.

Thanks,

Dom

 

[terry1969]

Nvq3 you need to be on site really , best thing is 2365 level 2 +3 at college then do nvq 3 on site then am2 then your qualified but will take 3 yrs at least but college all the way not private £6000 **** will never pass . But 2365 is best way first I think

 

[terry1969]

The nvq on site meaning the portfolio bits u need to be on site

 

[Domlee]

Hi many thanks for the information. You have helped clear things up for me. My college told me they run the C&g 2330 courses, so it looks like the best place to start. Hopefully I can get a job with an electrician later on down the line, who can then help me with the portfolio work as you say.

Thanks to everyone for your time and info, it's much appreciated.

Dom

 

[SirusDvirus]

I did it at 45 mate so if I can you can..took my 2330 level 2 on evening courses and the sparks I was working for paid for it..then took my NVQ level 3 diploma paid for by the firm I work for..the only prob is if youre under 24 you dont have to pay it's grants but if you're in reciept of any benefits/tax credits you only have to pay for the exam fees (about £120) on the 2330 (which I thought theyed stopped :S) ..and the level 3 is work based

 

[driverman]

Domlee.......Are you employed @ this point in time. If not possibly try the "Job Centre Plus". They will fund / part pay for some courses etc. Ask them though, as they don't shout about it! Nothing ventured nothing gained. Whilst I was unemployed they funded 17th edition & 2395 inspection & testing course.

 

[Domlee]

Hi Driverman, yes I'm currently employed and therefore don't think I would be eligible for funding, but thanks for the suggestion, I'm sure there may be others who this will help.

Yes you're right Siriusdave, the college programme leader has confirmed the course is now the C&G 2365, and that level 2 will take approx 2 years and level 3 another year. These can then be substituted into the NVQ L3 (2357) diploma as 'knowledge' units and then the 'performance' units are undertaken on the job to satisfy the NVQ L3 requirements.

Another quick question, presumably electricians are only really looking to take people on who have some form of qualification behind them (ie C&G 2365 level 2) instead of someone like myself who has no
electrical qualifications other than GCSE electronics, is that right? Saves me embarrasing myself by applying prematurely.

I'm very grateful for the info guys. It's a bit confusing at first but I think I have managed to get my head around it.

Dom

 

[Domlee]

Hi all

Sorry to bring up an old thread but it seemed pointless me starting another.

I've basically been given the opportunity to start the C&G 2365 level 2 at a local college as I'd hoped but I'm a little apprehensive whether to go ahead. Although becoming an electrician has always been what I wanted to do as a career, I'm just wondering whether there are many opportunities to work "on site" to gain experience as I've been looking at local ads for electricians mates and all seem to require previous experience? So basically, I'm wondering whether I would be wasting my time studying the course over 3 years if I can't actually become fully qualified? (as you all probably know the c&g 2365 requires on site experience to be assessed for the NVQ L3).

Anyone have have any experience in this area? Or advice? It would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Dom

 

[Richard Burns]

Many people are in a similar position, wanting to train but having difficulty getting employment because they are not trained!
It is a bit of a catch 22 situation, however this is the same for almost all areas or any skilled work, and having the qualifications and experience does not also mean instant success.

Unfortunately there is a dearth of opportunities about for people to start their experience, however this is not to make you lose heart, they are some chances available and some members of this forum have been able to take them and progress and this can be the hope for you as well.

Because you are are following the approved route this will give you a lot more chance to progress well in your career and give you more likelihood of getting a start. You would need to put in a lot of enquiries out there to get a response, once you are near completion on level 2 and you have more understanding of the needs of the job you will be in a better position to be of use to an employer, however it is worth seeing if you can get an apprentice position (ideally) or work as a mate or just a labourer at the early stages, be ready to take pictures of all electrical work that you get to do then you maybe able to use these for your NVQ later.

As you say you are following the route that you want to take then you will have to make that step and commit to the course:smiley2:, hard to do but easier once you are there, not so hard looking back on it, maybe.
Go for it as you are ready to go, have the chance, and can follow your heart, just be ready for it not to be a smooth and easy ride, it will take work and effort and there will be some downsides on the way but the end result can be clear in your mind to lead you on.

Good luck and best wishes.

 

[markc123]

Have you spoke to the college and asked if they try and help you look for work? Im not sure what its like in Lancashire, but over here in north.yorkshire the work seems to be dieing down abit with more and more sparks appearing self employed.

Definitley a bad time to get into the trade, but if you do manage to find an employer, even temporarily, i'd definitley give it a crack.

 

[matt1386]

Go for it Dom ! You will only regret it later on im sure of that

Id rather be a qualified spark struggling to find work than somebody with no trade / experience who's in the same position

Ive also just started my 2365 Level 2 in September

Also, regarding the NVQ, you can still sign onto the 2356 with XS training before December this year which doesnt require you to be in full time employment to complete, you can do voluntary work etc.. to get your portfolio together, you have until the end of 2016 to complete this so plenty of time to get experience / evidence together

Im sure somebody will correct me if im wrong, but to complete the 2357 NVQ, you have to be in full time employment over 30 hours per week which makes it much more difficult to complete in these hard times

My personal advice from somebody who was in the same position as you a few months ago would be to get yourself on the course ( although if starting soon you will have missed quite a bit wont you ? )

While on the course keep pestering the companies in your area to get some on site experience, whether it be a 1 day one off job, or a few weeks worth, it all adds up

You may get lucky and they more offer you more frequent work

Basically try get as much on site experience during your 2365 course as you can, and take plenty of photos to go towards your NVQ

Good luck mate !