Part P for a builder/maintenance worker with learning difficulties

[relinquiae]

Hi,

Apologies if this has been asked before, but there is so much info on the internet that I don't know where to look or what info to trust!
I am asking on behalf of my dad, who has been a builder/maintenance worker all his working life. He is looking to do a part P course/qualification, so that he can install cookers, changing sockets, fit new lights etc. on his jobs.
He is a very skilled in practical work, but he is severely dyslexic so finds writing and reading a real struggle. So, I have two questions for you please:

What is a trusted company to go to, to get his Part P training? (he is based in Dorset/Hampshire)

Is there lots of writing and reading involved in the qualification, or is it mostly practical work (suitable for someone who cannot write competently)?

Thanks in advance for your responses,

Relinquiae

 

[telectrix]

not being disrespectful, but with dyslexia, would he be able to complete test certificates for work done? and just for the 17th course and exam, a lot of reading is involved.

 

[MDJ]

What's part P training got to do with competence in electrical contracting? Whilst I'm on, what is part P training about?

 

[Silly Sausage]

Whilst I'm on, what is part P training about?

Free enterprise at its worst.
No need for me to explain further!

 

[relinquiae]

not being disrespectful, but with dyslexia, would he be able to complete test certificates for work done? and just for the 17th course and exam, a lot of reading is involved.

No disrespect taken, it's a relevant question

He can fill out forms if they are simple, or, if they are consistent in their format, he can learn the layout (He has a great memory)

Is there any books that he specifically needs? I can have a look and see if it's manageable for him.
His comprehension is great, it's just the act of reading he can't do. as for the books and the exam, I wonder if he could get a "translator" to read it out to him, like is available for A-levels these days.

 

[Octopus]

Out of interest why does your dad want to go to the stress of such a qualification if he's going to find all the paperwork and form filling difficult.

As for reading, try wading through BS7671 amendment 2011 - its about £70.00 for starters.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Out of interest why does your dad want to go to the stress of such a qualification if he's going to find all the paperwork and form filling difficult.

As for reading, try wading through BS7671 amendment 2011 - its about £70.00 for starters.

It's bad enough for us 'Normal' people, what snowball's chance in hell does a dyslexic have!!!!!!

 

[Octopus]

It's bad enough for us 'Normal' people, what snowball's chance in hell does a dyslexic have!!!!!!

he did ask!

I'm not trying to put him off but knowing your way around the big green book is vital.

 

[relinquiae]

Out of interest why does your dad want to go to the stress of such a qualification if he's going to find all the paperwork and form filling difficult.

As for reading, try wading through BS7671 amendment 2011 - its about £70.00 for starters.

He does things like fix foundations, refits kitchens, build extensions, and usually has to end up for an electrician's availability to do a simple task, like fit a cooker, which he can do, but can't because of the part p qualification he needs. The electrician he uses suggested part p to him as being called out to fit a cooker, or change a socket, isn't good use of his time for the amount the job pays.
Not saying part p covers everything he needs, as he has often built houses etc that has created massive jobs for his electrician.. it's just the tiny jobs that his sparky is getting annoyed with!

If there is a lot of reading he needs to do, and to know it inside out, I'd probably say it isn't possible for him then, unfortunately. Thanks for answering.

 

[Octopus]

He does things like fix foundations, refits kitchens, build extensions, and usually has to end up for an electrician's availability to do a simple task, like fit a cooker, which he can do, but can't because of the part p qualification he needs. The electrician he uses suggested part p to him as being called out to fit a cooker, or change a socket, isn't good use of his time for the amount the job pays.
Not saying part p covers everything he needs, as he has often built houses etc that has created massive jobs for his electrician.. it's just the tiny jobs that his sparky is getting annoyed with!

If there is a lot of reading he needs to do, and to know it inside out, I'd probably say it isn't possible for him then, unfortunately. Thanks for answering.

If the spark he normally uses doesn't want "his" work then maybe dad should find a new, more eager one. I do lots of small "works" for a variety of builders/kitchen fitters/plumbers/bathroom guys and enjoy the work. Where in Hampshire are you?

 

[Marvo]

To be honest if his sparky is complaining about some of the jobs being too small or inconvenient he probably should look for another sparky that really wants the work. By the time he's paid through the nose for a course which he's probably going to struggle with because of dyslexia and he's stumped up more cash for the basic requirements (insurance, test equipment etc) to get registered with a scheme and he's had his pants pulled down for the scheme membership fee it's going to cost more than it's worth unless he's doing electrical installation work full time.

 

[relinquiae]

If the spark he normally uses doesn't want "his" work then maybe dad should find a new, more eager one. I do lots of small "works" for a variety of builders/kitchen fitters/plumbers/bathroom guys and enjoy the work.

Yeah, my dad is a man of habits. The spark is great at the big jobs, but keeps dad waiting 3 - weeks for the small ones... clearly doesn't want them.
Its good to hear that some guys enjoy the smaller stuff.. I'll try and guide him towards someone more willing!
(I'm an I.T girl ... I fit the stereotype and have no idea about all this stuff!)
Thanks for the tips.

 

[relinquiae]

To be honest if his sparky is complaining about some of the jobs being too small or inconvenient he probably should look for another sparky that really wants the work. By the time he's paid through the nose for a course which he's probably going to struggle with because of dyslexia and he's stumped up more cash for the basic requirements (insurance, test equipment etc) to get registered with a scheme and he's had his pants pulled down for the scheme membership fee it's going to cost more than it's worth unless he's doing electrical installation work full time.

Cheers for the advice. I'm completely ignorant to all this and my dad is stuck with the same work ethics and planning of the 1990s, he only ever takes on contractors by word of mouth.. I'll have to show him how to use a computer and get him on the review sites!

 

[derek]

There is no part P qualification, it is part of the building regulations. Planning Portal - Part P (Electrical Safety)
There are competent person schemes which he may have to join if he meets certain criteria or he'll have to pay a fee to LABC if he wants to do work that requires notification. In order to carry out electrical work a person must be competent as defined in BS 7671. Calibrated test equipment and the understanding of how to use it is a must as is the understanding of how to design, install and fault find. Appropriate insurance is also required.

 

[Octopus]

Yeah, my dad is a man of habits. The spark is great at the big jobs, but keeps dad waiting 3 - weeks for the small ones... clearly doesn't want them.
Its good to hear that some guys enjoy the smaller stuff.. I'll try and guide him towards someone more willing!
(I'm an I.T girl ... I fit the stereotype and have no idea about all this stuff!)
Thanks for the tips.

Where in Hampshire are you?

 

[relinquiae]

Where in Hampshire are you?

I'm in lymington, but he is in Bournemouth. He's working on a long project in the new milton/christcurch area at the mo I think.

 

[HandySparks]

Where in Hampshire are you?

Looks to be the other side from us, Murdoch. Post 1: "he is based in Dorset/Hampshire".

Be nice to know for sure, though. I'm sure there'll be a few on here from around there.

 

[Octopus]

Looks to be the other side from us, Murdoch. Post 1: "he is based in Dorset/Hampshire".

Be nice to know for sure, though. I'm sure there'll be a few on here from around there.

I wasn't thinking about me, but people who "are vague" about their location don't exactly help themselves

 

[relinquiae]

I wasn't thinking about me, but people who "are vague" about their location don't exactly help themselves

He travels all over for work. so I wasn't being vague. I was saying Dorset/Hampshire is is usual range for travel. He is on the edge of both Dorset and Hampshire, so I thought it made sense to say those are the two counties he was looking for training in.

 

[Octopus]

He travels all over for work. so I wasn't being vague. I was saying Dorset/Hampshire is is usual range for travel. He is on the edge of both Dorset and Hampshire, so I thought it made sense to say those are the two counties he was looking for training in.

Maybe the spark he is using is frustrated by having to travel long distances for small jobs!

 

[relinquiae]

Maybe the spark he is using is frustrated by having to travel long distances for small jobs!

I'm in lymington, but he is in Bournemouth. He's working on a long project in the new milton/christcurch area at the mo I think.

See long project comment.
Also, this is one of the reasons he was enquiring about part P, because of the variety of places he works. Didn't think I was advertising for a sparky on here, I was just enquiring about part P courses! Never mind, thanks for the info.

 

[MDJ]

Yes the thread has gone off track, My last comment is to tell your Dad not to attempt to go on a 7 day part p course, he will never cut it in regard to quality of work and competence regarding electrical installation methods, Stick to being an odd job man he will make more money and doesn't need to be intelligent.

 

[pepparz]

Yes the thread has gone off track, My last comment is to tell your Dad not to attempt to go on a 7 day part p course, he will never cut it in regard to quality of work and competence regarding electrical installation methods, Stick to being an odd job man he will make more money and doesn't need to be intelligent.

How condescending.

 

[MDJ]

How condescending.

After reading the post it does seem that way, I didn't mean the intelligent statement regarding his fathers condition, far from it, It was meant in a manner that you can make money in jobs and be better off than Jobs where you need exams and qualifications, like for instance his Dad is no doubt a skilled man in regard to installing Kitchens and can make more money than a guy training to become a spark, and yet a 7 day course will not teach him anything because it takes years to learn the trade properly.

 

[telectrix]

figuring out the costs to even get the basics.... short course £6000. MFT etc. £1000, tools £2000, scam fees and insurance annually £700. that's close to 10k before he earns a shilling.

 

[relinquiae]

figuring out the costs to even get the basics.... short course £6000. MFT etc. £1000, tools £2000, scam fees and insurance annually £700. that's close to 10k before he earns a shilling.

Ouch. We had no idea about the costs because the information is so fragmented and differing when looking online.

 

[relinquiae]

After reading the post it does seem that way, I didn't mean the intelligent statement regarding his fathers condition, far from it, It was meant in a manner that you can make money in jobs and be better off than Jobs where you need exams and qualifications, like for instance his Dad is no doubt a skilled man in regard to installing Kitchens and can make more money than a guy training to become a spark, and yet a 7 day course will not teach him anything because it takes years to learn the trade properly.

He is very intelligent, he just can't make out words on a page very well, the letters jump about the page and blur up (look in to the dyslexia network if you are interested). Fantastic at maths and can build a house from drawing up the plans to completion (baring spark and plummer work, obv!). But, I get what you mean.
He just wants to be able to install cookers, change sockets and install lights (leaving the rest to the spark), but it seems from the information you guys have given me that it's a lot of money and a highly difficult course for him (because of the reading), for little return.
That's all we needed to know really. Thanks.

 

[telectrix]

if you download part p of building regs. from planning portal, it tells you what electrical work is notifiable to building control. each job costs about £300 in notification fees. unless you pass an assessment to join niceic/elecsa/napit. for this you need to prove competence in installing and testing. have obtained 17th ed. wiring regs. and be able to complete all the paperwork. tbh, i'd get him to either kick his current spark up the arse. tell him to take the good with the bad, or get another spark.

 

[not_today]

mate, PM me you email address and i'll send you some stuff i have found online and have been sent.

that way you can both look at the sort of questions/ content of the course and make an informed decision.

let me know ....

safe

 

[Octopus]

figuring out the costs to even get the basics.... short course £6000. MFT etc. £1000, tools £2000, scam fees and insurance annually £700. that's close to 10k before he earns a shilling.

An interesting way of doing the sums - I wonder how many of the fast track training companies point this out?

Oh and what's a shilling?

 

[HandySparks]

An interesting way of doing the sums - I wonder how many of the fast track training companies point this out?

Oh and what's a shilling?

A bob, 12d, 5 new pence!