Before you all waste more money here is the deal to become an "approved" competent person for the part P scheme. You do not have to do a Part P course, all that you are legally required to have to become a domestic installer in the 17th Edition Regs, no other qualifications are necessary. You will then be inspected by the scheme you have decided to join and they will asses if you are competent over 2 jobs, so save the money and use it to join a scheme (the NICEIC anyway) . I was surprised myself at how little was actually required and that is very worrying.
If you are an electrician then the Part P courses will not be of much use, you can learn all you need to know about Part P form the Part P document. It is after-all just another set of regulations.
If you want to become an "approved contractor" then you will need to have at least 6 months of trading behind you and a supervisor with at least 2 years of experience in a similar role. There is no requirement for further courses if you can demonstrate your knowledge. It is stated that they should hold the C&G 2391 as well, but is not a requirement by law.
Approved contractor status will serve you well for tenders for larger jobs, but for most electricians working as sole traders it is not necessary. It is often a requirement to qualify for tenders. Without it you will not be able to tender.
As stated by many the proper road to becoming an electrician is to do an apprenticeship. There is a lot to learn in the trade from how to use tools and even how to run cables, where to cut holes, how to work around and with other trades etc etc. The list goes on. They cannot teach you all that in a few weeks. It takes a couple of years.
What I would recommend for those wanting to start a business from a career change is to get a time served business partner and use your strengths together, where one can concentrate on marketing and getting tenders and jobs and the "proper electrician" can be the supervisor and run jobs and maintain a high standard of work. Of course you will also learn along the way and after a few years you will be much better skilled.
