Panel Building Course????

[Kman]

Hello there

Do any of you know of a training centre who can specialise in a panel building course or trainning??

I am originally from a civils background. Finishing a PGDip in Building Services Design and have NVQ's in AutoCAD.

In recent years I have worked in the estimating and purchasing dept for an Electrical Contractor. They are branching into Panel Building and provided I can source the right training they will employ me to design/draft and build the panels.

This is my families co. so potentially could be my own thing if I can get it to work...

Any info?
Thanks

 

[alarm man]

Hello there

Do any of you know of a training centre who can specialise in a panel building course or trainning??

I am originally from a civils background. Finishing a PGDip in Building Services Design and have NVQ's in AutoCAD.

In recent years I have worked in the estimating and purchasing dept for an Electrical Contractor. They are branching into Panel Building and provided I can source the right training they will employ me to design/draft and build the panels.

This is my families co. so potentially could be my own thing if I can get it to work...

Any info?
Thanks

theres control and automation courses but i dont know of any panel building courses,its actually classed as semi skilled now,:censored: when in fact it used to be a very skilled part of being a sparky,the wiring design depends on the job,the design of the panel/cabinet is pretty straight forward,most are off the shelf plain boxs or design it yourself and get the local metalworks to make it then off to the painters,other than thats its experience of drilling/cutting etc,1mm out with a hole punch and the whole things scrap..

 

[Kman]

Yea I have done some research and a Panel Building Course is hard to come by. Clarkson evans are investigating a bespoke training package and are to come back to me in a fortnight or so. Cant imagine it would be cheap!
As a matter of interest do you know who provides the controls and automation courses?
Also would a domestic installers course be of some standing at all?

 

[netblindpaul]

Kman,
For panel work forget a DI course!

 

[alarm man]

search your local college,its not a 5 week course tho,takes a good few years to design and manufacture control systems,domestic installer course would not even give the skills to trunk the panel im afraid..sorry..what ever way you go its going to take a good while to be good never mind great at it,your best bet is to employ someone with control and panel knowledge,that way you can work with him building up the controls side of the company while working with him everyday and getting the knowledge,will be cheaper too..

 

[alli]

I have not used them but found IPS while looking for something else, they do a multiskill course that seams to teach various aspects of commercial installations including control panel. Don't know if it is any use.

ips-international.com/electrical-multiskill-training-219.asp Put www. in front of <-----

 

[pmac10]

once you've done the drilling, cutting and fixing of components i find it a very therapeutic type of work (as long as the panel wasn't due yesterday), but as alarm man mentions, i,ve seen panel wirers required (x10) £6/hour free car parking. thats probably equivalent to £7.50-£8.00/hour for you guys on mainland UK.

 

[alarm man]

once you've done the drilling, cutting and fixing of components i find it a very therapeutic type of work (as long as the panel wasn't due yesterday), but as alarm man mentions, i,ve seen panel wirers required (x10) £6/hour free car parking. thats probably equivalent to £7.50-£8.00/hour for you guys on mainland UK.

shocking rates..and a panel should be as good on the inside as the front end

 

[Kman]

Yes in fairness they are terrible rates of pay!
Thanks alli for the link Im gonna make some enquiries about IPS MS training. Although I do agree with you alarm man. I suspected short courses weren't gonna cut. I was a bricklayer :53: for several years before doing my Civil Engineering degree and unfortunately serving your time means exactly that-you dont learn much in a matter of weeks!
Anyway thanks guys.. and if anyone that knows of other training providers please pitch in?

 

[Big n Daft]

This could be a step too far as your present skills are not transferable. Panel building is a job which any industrial spark with an eye for detail can do. Panel design is another game altogether.
Be careful this is not summat to learn in 12mths from your background.

 

[Kman]

I totally agree.. Im under no illusion that proficiency could be gained by any short term means. i would not be unassisted the MD with 40+ yrs exp as a spark tutoring and the QS 25 yrs as a spark with HNC in BSE at hand if need be. Whilst the PGDip in Building Services Design would benefit somewhat with a measured level of understanding. It would essentially come down to my hands and best methods.

 

[alarm man]

I totally agree.. Im under no illusion that proficiency could be gained by any short term means. i would not be unassisted the MD with 40+ yrs exp as a spark tutoring and the QS 25 yrs as a spark with HNC in BSE at hand if need be. Whilst the PGDip in Building Services Design would benefit somewhat with a measured level of understanding. It would essentially come down to my hands and best methods.

that experience will come in handy,but you need someone with good controls and panel design/buiding knowledge if your going to start in controls from scratch,a good spark will take to it,but you need someone to show them how its done