Starting as an Electrician.. is this the way to go?

microphone · Mar 23, 2011

So I'm 25 and from Oxford. I have no previous electrician experience.

As far as I can tell from the swathes of info on the internet the qualifications I should aim for first are:

C&G 2330
C&G 2382 (17th edition)
C&G 2391 (testing + inspection)
C&G 2392
C&G 2377 (PAT)

as well as the EAL domestic installer qualification.

To do this I'm most likely going to do a 4 week intensive at Clarkson Evans during the summer to get the 2382, 2392, 2377 as well as the 2393.

Then in September start on a year long part time course at Oxford College for the 2330.

Is that the right sort of thing I should be thinking about doing? Would I be better off leaving the Clarkson Evans intensive course to a later date?

If I went down this route would I be able to get an adult apprenticeship after doing the Clarkson Evans course? Would I even need that for an apprenticeship?

I've seen some people have stated that now is a good time to be looking for an apprenticeship to run along side the 2330. Whats the best way of finding an apprenticeship? Just emailing various companies?

Thanks in advance for any help!

bugsy · Mar 24, 2011

On a personal basis ( not the opinion of the forum generally I might add ) unless you had served a proper appreticeship Id ---- your CV in the bin,
I dont mean to be rude or dismissive but you won't become an electrician or electricians mate in 4 weeks no matter how intensive the course,
Before you waste your money check out your employment prospects

Phil · Mar 24, 2011

hi and welcome along;

right the best way to go would be,
2330 at college, if you can get any experience at all over the summer this really will be beneficial and a lot more beneficial to the courses you have mentioned doing in the summer. if i was you i would put them to one side for now at least.
when you are doing the 2330 you will be able to take the 2382 (17th edition exam) and email various companies to tell them what experience you may have gained by that point. you could maybe try British gas as i have been told they do take on apprentices as an adult. you will probably find that when once you have done the 2330 and th 2382 that you don`t actually need the other courses you have mentioned apart from the 2391 when you have enough experience to do it.
it probably wont be easy getting into the trade and you may hit brick walls all the way but if you are sure you want to do it then keep banging on and all it takes is one lucky break. good luck and stick around as there is plenty of info on here and thousands of years of collective knowledge

simpson93 · Mar 24, 2011

hi there and welcome to the forum, the 2330 is being taken out the best thing for you to do would be to get your 2357 this combines 2330 and an nvq with am2.

- but like the others say the experience is worth more then the qualifications at the moment.

dim_bulb · Mar 24, 2011

if you do the 2330 C & G you wont need to do the 17th exam as your already learning to the current regs.

High Tower · Mar 24, 2011

dim_bulb said:
if you do the 2330 C & G you wont need to do the 17th exam as your already learning to the current regs.

Makes little as no difference, employers still want 2382 on top of the 2330, and more to the point in the event of a liability issue 2382 is the best proof of knowledge of the regs, right or wrong I'm afraid that's just how it is !

Phil · Mar 24, 2011

High Tower said:
Makes little as no difference, employers still want 2382 on top of the 2330, and more to the point in the event of a liability issue 2382 is the best proof of knowledge of the regs, right or wrong I'm afraid that's just how it is !

i agree with ht on that one.
also the 2330 Will still be running now for another 2 yeras. C&G just can`t make their minds up, what a joke

microphone · Mar 24, 2011

Thanks for the reply's everyone.

Is there any confirmation anywhere about the 2330 being extended? I emailed Oxford College yesterday who basically told me that as the 2330 is being withdrawn I'll need to take the 2357 but that they aren't running it.

If I can actually find one, I assume an apprenticeship is meant to run along side doing the 2330/2357 course at college? Or do I learn what I need to know while doing the apprenticeship and I just need to take the exams?

Also does anyone have any idea if there is anywhere around Oxfordshire that run the 2330 or 2357 courses?