Route to becoming competent via 2330

ringer · Jul 8, 2010

Am determined to get suitably qualified and work as an electrician. Age in late forties - been in engineering but no actual electrical work apart from manufacturing. Ultimate aim is to work for myself doing mainly domestic, perhaps specialising in newer technology such as PV, underfloor heating, as well as rewires / PIR / showers / small commercial work. Had considered doing a 15 day Part-P wonder course but do not feel comfortable with that. Would rather learn slower and properly. So currently considering:

year 1 --> 2330 L2 evening
year 2 -->2330 L2 evening & 2382 (exam only)
year 3 --> hopefully get some work with local firm & 2330 L3 evening (or the equivalent, whatever that may become)
year 4 --> start working for myself & do short course on microgeneration
year 5 --> 2391

Does this sound possible/feasible? Am I missing anything out? Perhaps NVQ? Is NVQ a separate qualification, or would it effectively be part of the L3?

Phil · Jul 8, 2010

hi mate the quals are up in the air at the moment due to a change in the course. the 2330 is being changed to the 2357 that will include the 2356(Nvq L3) it is looking at the moment like the adult side of it is going to be a real headache for anyone post 19. which is a real shame. the best advice i can give you at the moment mate is to speak to your local college that is running the 2330 or 2357 and get their advice on it. there are online places that can be had for about 550 for the nvq. but for that you would have to be working with a spark and have the tech certs for them to claim it.

ringer · Jul 8, 2010

I spoke to my local college this evening. The 2357 is not yet finalised so they are running the 2330 again. They did say the L3 is up in the air but there 'should' be something to replace it. Am thinking I need to get started learning and sort it out as I go along. Cannot believe there will be no way for mature adults to get qualified. Main problem I can foresee is getting a local electrical firm to take me on for the L3/NVQ. And the fact that I will have to scratch a living doing something else for at least two years.

timitds · Jul 8, 2010

as said still all very up in the air at the mo the 2357 has very recently been finalised but it was too late for many colleges although some did hold out so summit skills agreed to allow 2330 to carry on for 1 more year.

im an adult learner ive just finished the first year of the l2 so im well in limbo
at the mo(though this may change as they seem to be like women change there mind at the drop of a hat) the official line seems to be that we will be allowed to complete the l2 and then 'possibly' be migrated onto the 2357 to complete the l3 , the nvq3 (currently 2356) and the am2 which is compulsory and as said you need to be working to complete these which is easier said than done as you need to complete certain aspects in dom,com and ind

but this is still not definite and i believe the colleges are still trying to lobby to allow us to finish on the path we are on and run them side by side but its a wait and see game.

its not so much the case that adult learners will not be able to do the courses but there will be lil if no funding from outside bodies so full course fees will apply, but this will make it harder to get on the courses in the first place.

IMHO opinion its a good thing and will mean that to gain the full qual you not only have the theory side down but will have to demonstrate practical ability and have some experience under others in line with what apprentices have to achieve to call yourself 'fully qualified' and will help stop those fresh out of coll with zero experience in the real world who have never picked up tool outside coll going out on there own which imo is no bad thing.

so the advice is get on the 2330 if you can and see what happens

and hopefully by the time push comes to shove the economy will have picked up and will make it a little easier to find the job you need towards the end of the course