Qualification Vs Career guidance

[Gakure]

Hi all, a few months ago, I asked on advice on the best route for a career change from Electrical Engineer to an Electrician. I was advised to take some course and since then I have achieved the following certificates (see below) but I have little practical experience.
However, I am lucky to have walked in a site near me and the electrician agreed to take me on to help on 1st fixing as trainee.
I come again to you guys to advice on the best direction to start putting meals on table while gaining experience.
-If I am going to register for JIB ECS card what title should I request for based on below?
-Is it worthy to start looking into competent body registration at this stage?
-I have zero tools (zero finance), what Will be the basic tools I should start looking at?
Qualifications + Certificate

• 17th edition qualification
• ECS certificate - no card yet
• 2391-52 inspection and Testing
• 2365-03 Electrical Installation level 3.
• BEng Electrical and Electronics degree
• Over 10 experience as engineer
• Other CPDs like Project Management etc

Your advice are highly apprrciated as usual.

 

[SparkyChick]

Basic tools... a selection of good quality VDE drivers, I can highly recommend the CK slims which you can get in a kit, 3 flats, 2 pozis. Get yourself a smaller one for some terminals. A decent pair of snips and I would suggest some Knipex installation pliers as they serve multiple purposes, so if you're on a tight budget they are a good choice. I have Knipex snips and installation pliers and they are the most heavily used pliers I have (I carry a selection just in case). A hammer, smallish for pinning and biggish for bashing. Spirit level, good tape measure. A decent AVI (I have a Fluke T-150 which is sweet as it will do some other stuff as well such as phase rotation - again, it can provide multiple functions which may save you some dosh).

A good quality combi drill or impact driver which ever is your preference. Good quality knife, junior hacksaw, a couple of files, possibly some modulo drivers as you're less likely to knacker the heads on MCBs etc. in consumer units. If you're going to be doing conduit/SWA glanding... a couple of pairs of pipe grips can be handy. A floor board saw if you don't fancy a circular saw. Wrecking bar. A good quality wood chisel, a couple of brick chisels (scutch and 75mm bolster - the bolster can also be handy for floorboard lifting and refitting carpets). A large screwdriver you can beat on (Stanley did a nice one with re-inforced anvil surface to hit).

Can't think of anymore things at the mo... need more beer... tidying up the garden for winter is such thirsty work

 

[Gakure]

Basic tools... a selection of good quality VDE drivers, I can highly recommend the CK slims which you can get in a kit, 3 flats, 2 pozis. Get yourself a smaller one for some terminals. A decent pair of snips and I would suggest some Knipex installation pliers as they serve multiple purposes, so if you're on a tight budget they are a good choice. I have Knipex snips and installation pliers and they are the most heavily used pliers I have (I carry a selection just in case). A hammer, smallish for pinning and biggish for bashing. Spirit level, good tape measure. A decent AVI (I have a Fluke T-150 which is sweet as it will do some other stuff as well such as phase rotation - again, it can provide multiple functions which may save you some dosh).

A good quality combi drill or impact driver which ever is your preference. Good quality knife, junior hacksaw, a couple of files, possibly some modulo drivers as you're less likely to knacker the heads on MCBs etc. in consumer units. If you're going to be doing conduit/SWA glanding... a couple of pairs of pipe grips can be handy. A floor board saw if you don't fancy a circular saw. Wrecking bar. A good quality wood chisel, a couple of brick chisels (scutch and 75mm bolster - the bolster can also be handy for floorboard lifting and refitting carpets). A large screwdriver you can beat on (Stanley did a nice one with re-inforced anvil surface to hit).

Can't think of anymore things at the mo... need more beer... tidying up the garden for winter is such thirsty work

Thanks a lot sparkychick, really appreciated.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I dont see the point in you registering on a scheme yet, you have enough qualifications to join one, but would need to show some jobs you have done and have a pile of books, insurance and testing kit.

In terms of your ecs goldcard with JIB, unless i am mistaken you need to have the nvq level 3 and both 2365 L2 and L3. there might be other routes to getting this though. If you are going to go down the scheme route then its not essential.

 

[uksrevivor]

Agree with the above post but you will also need to complete the AM2 practical exam to gain a gold card.

 

[Eliza Bennett]

To apply for this card you must have a UK electrotechnical Level 3 NVQ (or a formal UK electrotechnical apprenticeship).

If you are not qualified to the UK Level 3 NVQ, or cannot provide certificates to prove your qualifications, you have two options:

• the JIB Mature Candidate Assessment helps operatives to become accredited at Level 3 standard
• there are other ECS cards that will allow site access to carry out specific work. These cards can be upgraded to a gold card when you qualify to the industry standard.

 

[Gakure]

To apply for this card you must have a UK electrotechnical Level 3 NVQ (or a formal UK electrotechnical apprenticeship).

If you are not qualified to the UK Level 3 NVQ, or cannot provide certificates to prove your qualifications, you have two options:

• the JIB Mature Candidate Assessment helps operatives to become accredited at Level 3 standard
• there are other ECS cards that will allow site access to carry out specific work. These cards can be upgraded to a gold card when you qualify to the industry standard.

Thanks Eliza, I am qualified to level 3 2365-03 and electrical/electronics degree in UK, am not sure if they count.
Whenever, I call JIB, I get complete answer.
At the moment to get myself upto speed am working as a trainee with domestics.

Somebody mentioned I don't need both competent person and JIB, again it was clear as mud.
Any advise which can lead me being recognise in the field will be highly appreciated.

 

[telectrix]

as far as the cps's go, all you need is 17th, a core qual, load of papers e.g. PLI. rA,complaints procedure et al, oh, and enough in your bank so that a £500+ cheque don't bounce.