JIB Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) Starting up properly.... the expense and minefield of regs begins...

[MoserV8]

Hello all.

Sparky all my days (but worked in a different industry the last 5 years). Full 17th edition, 2394 and 2395 Testing and inspection. ESC Gold card.

Covid has killed my existing job, and at 53, I am struggling to find something new.
So... do I go back to full time sparking? Ideally not, but means must.

But, I am VERY rusty on some points. Advice VERY gratefully received

1/ Planning to do my 18th edition online. No real issue there I don't think
2/ Do I need 18th edition to be able to register with Stroma/Napit/NIC etc?
3/ Who is the recommended body to go with? Stroma looked good, but did I read that they are no longer accepting applicants? Many years back I was NICEIC (hated them!)

My testing and inspection is beyond rusty. I did the course, and then pretty much never did any testing.
I could probably barely remember how to turn the tester on these days (oh yea, need to buy a new one of those as well)...
That is going to be an issue and the only way I will pick that back up is practice I would think + reading up.

I would assume I will have to start up, get some installations under my belt and get them certified by someone else or building control, and then once I have a few to 'show', have those inspected when I apply to a body?

My old and tired brains thanks you

Think Positive - ignore the negative vibes and comments people throw your way. Definitely your first point of call is to 100 Percent get your 18th Edition - do this first before anything else, Fully Update your 18th Library Too! Regs Onsite Guide etc read them and familiarise the changes, and where to find things you need in the Regs Book. I really need to know more about your background in your electrical work really? Were you more commercial based? Trunking Conduit Trays & Armoureds etc or Domestic? Lacking experience in testing is a little of a issue, but surely you could get a tester and practice and get to grips with it, even in your own house. You need to fully understand how to carry out the process of all the tests you carry out, understand your R1s & R2s etc , as well as reading you will need to carry out these tests etc and you can experiment as well. Ive been self employed for nearly 12 Years, and never been in any "Body" , alot of my customers are on the commercial side and dont give a stuff about things like that - they know im competent . Ive corrected so much work, then on the back of that got even more work putting right what contractors (With all the usual Trust a Trader, Elesca, NICEIC van stickers etc etc) have done wrong! 4 Weeks ago i picked up a 3500 item PAT test, that was last performed by a NICEIC company that Passed a Stainless Steel Kitchen servery that the plug was welded into the socket!! - They had never even unplugged it! - + The Labels were utterly wrong, they left things they did fail in service!!!

 

[Vortigern]

With your 2394/5 you must be able to test and it would just take a little "wd40" to get past being rusty at it. So if you did light commercial it would be well within your abilities and pays better with less hassle and easier work usually. Domestic, most agree its the proverbial PIA. You only need CPS for domestic, not commerical. As to work, NAPIT does accept work in your own home. They are about to inpsect my garage installation. Steel conduit/sockests/SWA from house to Sub Main. So I know they will accept that. You have a few weeks to notify so should be enough time to get your assessment and join to notify.

 

[DoubleInsulated]

Hmm. My background was originally new house bashing for many years with my dad (since leaving school). Rewires etc... all the domestic stuff. NICEIC back then.
Then I did lots of commercial when I went on my own. Various units, shop refitting etc.
Spent 3 years working in a PetroChemical site in the northeast. Lots of lab refits, tray, conduit, basket etc
Lots of warehouse lighting installs etc.

But, last few years has been lots of very heavy industrial stuff - 400mm+ SWA's, big generator installs, control switching, control cabinets etc.

Pretty flexible on what I can do.

How can you trade then without being in a 'body'? Just commercial or someone else certifies I suppose.

I agree.... the public are a pain in the bottom. But, I thought work in that area might be easier to find than finding commercial with no leads.

My other thought was to do maybe looking at EV charge point installations. Strings to bow and all that.

 

[DoubleInsulated]

What is the 18th exactly.... as in, what has changed?

You can do the 18th online for £130 + vat or the actual course + exam for £350+vat. It says the course is for people that don't necessarily have previous electrical knowledge!!!

I am more than likely going to plump for the £350 course anyway, but I'll be miffed it it turns out to be the idiots guide to wiring. I'm getting on, but not entirely lost it yet.

Just wondered if there was any details on what exactly has been changed to warrant the 18th update (apart from the usual money making side of it)

Thanks

 

[Julie.]

What is the 18th exactly.... as in, what has changed?

You can do the 18th online for £130 + vat or the actual course + exam for £350+vat. It says the course is for people that don't necessarily have previous electrical knowledge!!!

I am more than likely going to plump for the £350 course anyway, but I'll be miffed it it turns out to be the idiots guide to wiring. I'm getting on, but not entirely lost it yet.

Just wondered if there was any details on what exactly has been changed to warrant the 18th update (apart from the usual money making side of it)

Thanks

There are lots of changes from older versions, but nothing in the format or principles, so if you could reference the regs in a previous version, you can do the same in this.

If you go to the city & guilds website, you can download two exam papers (along with answers) do both of them without looking at the answer sheets, you will need the regs book of course, but you will need it anyway.

There is a guy called sparky ninja on you tube, he has videos on the 18th edition changes, and a few on the 18th course itself.

Take a look at them before you buy a course. You could save yourself a lot of beer tokens if you don't need it.

 

[DoubleInsulated]

Thanks. Already done that.... found some 18th edition exam papers and I will have a pop at them this weekend. If it's apparent I am too rusty, then I'll shout for the whole course.

Already an expensive restart anyway! 18th edition, Napit, new tester, test sheets, Public liability insurance, New regs book and site guide etc... Credit card taking a bashing ?