Please excuse.. Career advice please!

[Oll]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this site so sorry if I've posted in the wrong section!

im sure everyone's seen this question a million times so I'll cut to the point.
im 17, was in the army but was discharged after 3 months during training because of an injury. I never really had a backup career, but looking around I thought being an electrician was almost defiantly the right one.

theres a local training centre in edenbridge that's running a course I'm starting tomorrow, I'm getting my part P, 17th editing and PAT testing. It's costing quite a bit, all my birthday money and savings!

my question is where should I be looking to go?
i done alright In school, grade C GCSE in every subject if that helps.

Should I contact local electricians asking if they're looking for an apprentice or big companies?

any advice will be very much appreciated!!

ollie

 

[telectrix]

if you want to become an electrician, that course does not sound right. more like a domestic installer fast track scam. you need to be talking to your local college. used to be 2330, now i think it's 2365. can be done evenings whilst you have a day job.

 

[Richard Burns]

The standard college courses for becoming an electrician are either the 2365 followed by the NVQ3, or the 2357.
This website may help you understand the available routes.

 

[telectrix]

Hi, mate. just en way to PO.

 

[shanky887614]

if you want to become an electrician, that course does not sound right. more like a domestic installer fast track scam. you need to be talking to your local college. used to be 2330, now i think it's 2365. can be done evenings whilst you have a day job.

its the 2357 now mate, confusing I know


2357 =(2330/2365 tech cert)+(2356 old nvq)

you will have to do the 2357 after to get the nvq but the 2357 itself includes the tests to gain the tech cert



so confusing

in otherwords you use the 2365 certs as proof so you can skip parts of the 2357

 

[Oll]

Thanks for the replys guys!
What do you mean by PO?

 

[shanky887614]

Thanks for the replys guys!
What do you mean by PO?

post office

 

[Oll]

Am I missing out on something or..?

 

[telectrix]

sorry mate. the PO comment was something between me and richard.

 

[Oll]

Thought you was saying I'm en my way to to work in the post office...... Panicked a little :****-8:

 

[GMES]

Oll listen to the advice above mate, don't get conned into doing a short course and certainly don't waste your savings to do it.

These courses cost thousands so my advice would be get yourself to college and do it the right way, and use the money for that, maybe try and get an apprenticeship at 17 years old you will get the funding needed.

 

[Oll]

Cheers GMES, I've tried applying for plenty of apprenticeships but have had no luck at all.
I'm thinking if I get these qualifications then I may seem more ideal for employers.

Unfortunately the course is paid for and I started today, and I'll loose £300 if I drop out now.

100% honest are these qualifications any good?

 

[Richard Burns]

The 2382 17th Edition exam is a useful exam that would be needed to work as an electrician, but it is only a very basic covering of the use of the book BS7671, the IET wiring regulations; it will give you an idea of how to reference what you need to know about the wiring regulations.

The Part P course is really just an introduction to how the building regulations apply to electrical work, all this information is covered in the book "the electricians guide to the building regulations". You can also read the approved documents including approved document P which covers electrical safety for free at the planning portal.


If you are planning on doing extensive in service inspection and testing of appliances then the PAT testing course is a pretty much required course (in reality but not in relation to the legislation (you just need to be competent)). It will cover the requirements in terms of data records, responsibilities, inspection, testing, fault repair, in relation to the requirements of the code of practice for in service inspection and testing of electrical equipment.

Unfortunately non of these courses cover the practical aspects of electrical design and installation and certainly do not cover industrial work.
This is what the 2357 covers, the 2357 may be considered to be the core qualifications for an electrician.