Perusing a career in Electrics

[LukeS3]

Hey guys,

I'm nearly 21, did a 3 day induction before I left school at my local construction college, loved it. Left school at 16, got pretty crappy grades, and so it all went to pot and I didn't return to college.

Only recently have I decided, yet again, that I really want to peruse this career.

3 weeks ago I started a 10-12 week course at a local training centre (Maths Level 1 & English Level 2) to try and get them up. I'm really not that great at either, but English is certainly the stronger out of the two.

If I get my certificates for both of these, would it be of any good use to me? or would I maybe need to get my Maths to Level 2 also?

The idea thus far is to eventually get an Apprenticeship, and do one day college, or as said many times on here, night college.

Just to mention: My dad is a chippy, owns his own business with his brother and they have a self employed sparky working for them, and has been for quite a few years. I'm hoping this could be a bit of an advantage too. My Dad and Unlce have already mentioned the opportunities there for me should I become qualified.

Any advice would be great!

 

[markc123]

Basically, the trade is full of every tom, dick & harry. You get the proper qualifications and understanding of the trade backed up with experience you can make a bob or 2 putting other peoples work right.

 

[alboh]

With an apprentiship these days you do a thing called key skills!! Maths, English etc so grades are not everything. I had crap grades and still got an apprentiship but did key skills also. Just enquire with your local college

 

[Tesla1980]

it's the truth though mate to many foreign workers here working for peanuts until we leave europe it wont get better good luck though

 

[LukeS3]

it's the truth though mate to many foreign workers here working for peanuts until we leave europe it wont get better good luck though

Thanks.

At this current moment in time, I'm out of work due to being laid off from my job of just over 2 years in retail which I friggin' hate with passion.

Therefore, I am now on JSA and although I know it's okay as I have reason to be claiming due to being laid off, but I feel like a useless so and so and boredom is slowly becoming a problem.

I am definitely set on training to be an electrician as in time when I become qualified, I will be working in the family business.

Another question;

What are some good routes to take considering I'm now on JSA?

I have been looking around and come across NCS. I requested their Electrician Information Pack and received it today through the post and it sounds pretty good and most of the reviews seem somewhat decent.

 

[Tesla1980]

Go do a one day a week proper course at college and get a job as a electricians mate now your signed on the learning support fund will pay 75% or more towards your course cost get your wiring regs done too now your signed on 17th edition (BS7671) and CSCS or ECS card if you can as a electrical labourer.

The books are expensive be warned but you can get help from college with funds

Now your puuting the biro on the giro is a perfect time to enrol for september do not what so ever get on one of these courses that promise the earth for thousands of £££££££££ not worth it mate normal college will be far better let these words sink in slow and steady it will take years to get fully qualified not 6 months.

you can do 16hrs a week at college and still get JSA while your looking for work you can't do anymore you will lose benefit entitelement.

And regarding maths and english you do a exam to get into college to see where your at and they can help you with these subjects if they need improving. Your maths needs to be good as there is alot of it in the theory so maybe a eveing course at college or a tutor for a couple of hours a week not as expensive as you might think or re sit your maths gcse ?

I hope this helps you.

ps : get a college prospectus ASAP go talk to some tutors and get your foot in the door for september.

 

[LukeS3]

I actually contacted my local college today (Milton Keynes College).

Spoke to a lady for about 15 minutes, very friendly and she explained what the college can offer me.

She linked me to this: Milton Keynes College Online Enrolment & Applications

... and gave me a rough outline of the details in the above link, and basically said that this is the only route that I can take in MK College, and that I would then need to find an apprenticeship myself. She said the college do not offer help searching for an apprenticeship.

Either I'm lost, or this lady doesn't know what the F**K she's talking about. :laugh3:

So...

After my own little search, I find;

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keywords: Electrical Installation

Description:

Certificate in Electrotechnical Technology C&G2330 Level 3
Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installations
C&G 2365 Diploma in Electrical Installations Level 2
C&G 2382 BS7671 Certificate in the Requirements for Electrical Installations (17th Edition Update)
C&G 2382 BS7671 Certificate in the Requirements for Electrical Installations (17th Edition Update)
C&G 2394 Award in the Initial Verification and Certification of Electrical Installations
C&G 2395 Award in the Periodic Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations
C&G 2396 Level 4 Award in the Design and Verification of Electrical Installations
C&G 2396 Level 4 Award in the Design and Verification of Electrical Installations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

But I was told that the C&G2330 Level 3 course was the 'ONLY' route to take.

I told her to begin with that I know next to nothing about what courses I need to take and in which order I should take them.

So I'm no better off than before I picked up the phone and rang the college.

:banghead:

 

[Martyc]

Could be wrong but 2330 has now been superseded by the 2365, which you'll need to start at level 2 to get a good basis on the science-y stuff before progressing to level 3.
That's the way it was explained to me anyway.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

Hello mate,

Try calling, and speaking to, Brian Scadden
on 023 9225 5936. Not only has he been in the industry for years, written numerous books on electrics, designed some of the testing procedures etc, but he also runs a training centre / business - http://www.brianscaddan.co.uk.

I've always found him useful for advice on the current qualifications required and the best route to take to becoming a sparky.

 

[LukeS3]

Hello mate,

Try calling, and speaking to, Brian Scadden
on 023 9225 5936. Not only has he been in the industry for years, written numerous books on electrics, designed some of the testing procedures etc, but he also runs a training centre / business - http://www.brianscaddan.co.uk.

I've always found him useful for advice on the current qualifications required and the best route to take to becoming a sparky.

Thanks mate.

I think you'll agree that the above information I was given, was pretty much useless?

I will let you know how it goes.

 

[ian.settle1]

Dont bother trying to become electrician market is flooded with polish and eastern european cowboys get a job in tesco you will be paid the same or try and leave the country

Better to be qualified and have a trade before he leaves the country gives him a better chance than being unqualified

 

[Tesla1980]

Better to be qualified and have a trade before he leaves the country gives him a better chance than being unqualified

The polish manage ok :wink_smile:

 

[LukeS3]

It's amazing how my college offer C&G 2365 Level 2 from the 17/09/2013 until 30/06/2015

That's something like 1 year 8 months off the top of my head, yet so many other companies, tradeskills4u for example; offer it over 16 weeks. In some cases it's understandable if it was a fast track course that was a couple of months faster or something, but this, wow, that is a huge difference!

How can the C&G 2365 Level 2 course offered by my college be the same as C&G Level 2 offered by the likes of tradeskills4u?

Surely not...?

 

[Martyc]

I'm doing it in one academic year at my local college, but it is 3 nights a week to fit it all in which is a huge commitment with work family etc

 

[LukeS3]

I'm doing it in one academic year at my local college, but it is 3 nights a week to fit it all in which is a huge commitment with work family etc

I dropped by into college today and got allot better advice.

I have decided that I will try and get an apprenticeship and do day release, in which case - I can apply as soon as I have an employer under my belt.

Otherwise, I'll either do C&G 2365 evening studying over the course of 2 years (18:00-21:00 on Tue/Wed) or full time over the course of 1 year.

 

[markc123]

It's amazing how my college offer C&G 2365 Level 2 from the 17/09/2013 until 30/06/2015

That's something like 1 year 8 months off the top of my head, yet so many other companies, tradeskills4u for example; offer it over 16 weeks. In some cases it's understandable if it was a fast track course that was a couple of months faster or something, but this, wow, that is a huge difference!

How can the C&G 2365 Level 2 course offered by my college be the same as C&G Level 2 offered by the likes of tradeskills4u?

Surely not...?

Keep asking yourself them questions mate - because every electrician is asking the same. How?

Trust me, the information you learn on the college courses cannot be taught in weeks no matter how clever you are. It is not possible. You'll also find they charge you an even bigger amount than the college. It's all about money, they don't care about you as a person, nor do they care about your future prospects in the trade.

Go down the proper route, because one day (hopefully) the trade will get properly sorted out, and all these short courses will be a thing of the past.