Qualification Conundrom

[darren5354]

Hi All,

I've had a real headache over this problem for the past few weeks as I can not seem to get any accurate advice! I have just found this site and browsed a few of the threads and believe that some of you may finally be able to help me? (Please!)

I am ex RAF and unfortunately I've been disabled for many years. I am on the road to recovery and I've decided that my ultimate goal is to become an Electrician and set up my own business (This isn't a whim, I have thought it through and realise that it's not going to happen easily/overnight)

My idea is that I will obtain the qualifications necessary first. My Conundrum is as follows:

As I said, I am ex RAF. I was an Avionics Mechanic (Tech Stream). My Qualification Details are: Avionics Mechanic Accredited by the City and Guilds of London Institute, Awarded a CG 2249-Electrical Servicing at RAF Cosford in 1998. This is a Certificate of Unit Credit Towards Electronic Servicing Part 1, Joint Certificate with EEB. I was successful in the following three components:

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CREDIT
ASSIGNMENTS PASS*
PRACTICAL TEST PASS*

PASS* Indicates no higher grade is possible in this component.

My First question is: What modern qualification is this equal to?

My Second question is: What further qualifications would I need to gain to become a self employed domestic electrician?

I have researched these questions already but would ask that you be as comprehensive in your reply as you can/like as I believe the more information gleaned from your answers the more informed I become lol ( I suppose what I'm trying to say is that I'm not being lazy, I know that I will need C&G 2382-12 etc but I want to be sure that I have covered all the basis). What my qualification is equal to? has me stumped lol!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you kindly, in advance, for your answers/help, Thank you!

 

[markc123]

If you're focusing on domestic - then unfortunatley the qualification(s) you posess, mean pretty much nothing.

You need at the least 17th edition - which you rightly said is 2382.

Then also, 2394/2395.

 

[Guest55]

i have a pal who was an RAF technician.
he left the forces after 15 yrs but stayed working in the avaition sector.
he now works for rolls royce earning crap loads of cash and gets free international travel.
his RAF training & qualifications got him to the top of the pile in civvy street.

i'm sure theres a message somewhere in there
;-)

 

[markc123]

Take biff's advice + the domestic route wont' be very viable at the moment, trades on its knees, not enough work + too many 'electricians'

I was only saying in regards to domestic.

Best of luck.

 

[darren5354]

Hi Mark,
Thank you for your quick reply.
I thought as much lol. However I was hopeing that they would aid me in achieving my goal? I had looked at the 2394/2395 but concidered these for after becoming qualified?
Am I right in saying that the electricions qualification is the 2330 Level 3? of which the requirements are: Successful qualification of Electrical Installation 2330 Level 2 or relevant industrial experience.
if so, in your opinion, would I have the relevent industrial experiance? given my position and qualificatins.
I only ask as the entry requirements for level 2 stipulate that you must be aged between 16-24!

 

[darren5354]

Cheers Biff55,
Your pal clearly left the RAF fully qualified.
Unfortunatly I left due to disability before finishing the tech stream. A kick in the teeth I know lol!

 

[markc123]

Not sure what the requirements are to be honest with you buddy - if that's what it says 'relevant industrial experience' then im sure you would qualify to go straight onto level 3.

But yes, 2330 level 3 is what you're after. (although, it was once said on here that they had combined all the courses to include NVQ and AM2 in one qualification, someone else may advise on this beacuse im not really in the loop with the qualification system at the moment)

Pardon my ignorance aswell - it's great that you're looking to do the correct qualifications (2330) because many on here aren't, thats why i suggested just 17th - tieing you with the same brush as others.

And yes, you would be correct that 2394/2395 are for once you've got 2330(l3) and 17th...but if you're wanting to go self employed, then the 2394/2395 is a must unless you want to be paying for another sparks to come and certificate your work.

You're probably best off ringing the local college and getting some advise from the electricial lectures on adult learning / night courses. Unless someone else can advise more appropriatley than me over the forum - theres a fella on here called Sirkit Breaker - he's got something to do with the college process, he can maybe help more.

 

[Guest55]

Cheers Biff55,
Your pal clearly left the RAF fully qualified.
Unfortunatly I left due to disability before finishing the tech stream. A kick in the teeth I know lol!

not really , hes totally colour blind & couldnt wire a plug :-D
but he now sells jet engines to the arabs - no sh** ! lol.
look at other oppourtunities where you can use your existing experience , dont go into domestic , it costs a fortune to get set up and isnt much fun.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Without wishing for you to divulge personal details, but how come you are so disabled that you can't fix little weeny electronics, but think you can bash houses? Am I missing something?

 

[darren5354]

Hi again Markc123,
Cheers for replying.......again, Don't worry about tieing me with the same brush, you've been more than helpful! I'll search for Sirkit Breaker now and send him a message. Just one more thing Mark if you don't mind? What type of electrician are you? and, How do you find it/Do you enjoy it? (particularly if self employed).
biff55 gives the impression that he has made the wrong career choice lol.
Thanks again Mark and all the best.

 

[Guest55]

no he doesnt , hes just giving you the benefit of 20 yrs in the game.

and i dont do domestic work at all.

 

[markc123]

Domestic and Commerical. + Caravan and Touring Parks.

Yes S/E AC ...Love the trade, don't love the way its heading.

I've been very lucky in the fact my old man was an electrician(and still helps out the odd day, even though he's way past retirement age). He got me the client base i have today (well most of it) Much to the annoyance of my friends in similar lines of work that think i've been handed it on a plate. Which i totally disagree with, if i wasn't providing a decent service im sure that the clients would head elsewhere. Really does annoy me that lol.

It's great in the fact that no 1 day is the same, and the fact you're always out meeting new people + the on site banter is great, need/love the male company without trying to sound like a bat for the other side lol.

The work is just the icing on the cake though...you get home and realise you have to do invoices/reminders/quotes which, as everyone will admit...is a ballache.

 

[darren5354]

Without wishing for you to divulge personal details, but how come you are so disabled that you can't fix little weeny electronics, but think you can bash houses? Am I missing something?

I don’t mind, my disability was mental not physical. During my service I did tours in the Afghanistan, Chad, Timorese and Kosovo and developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I became increasingly violent which led to an extensive criminal record including a three year prison sentence back in 2000 after my theatre in Timorese and the cause of my inevitable discharge from the RAF. I didn’t really get the help I needed until 2010. I suppose bashing houses as you put it would be right up my street lol!

 

[darren5354]

no he doesnt , hes just giving you the benefit of 20 yrs in the game.

and i dont do domestic work at all.

I'm sorry biff55 but your replys just reak of someone bitter and didn't answer any of my questions? Why post?

 

[darren5354]

I'm sorry biff55 but your replys just reak of someone bitter and didn't answer any of my questions? Why post?

Sorry, replies and wreak. lol should read my posts before pressing enter!