Th.e 2391 problem

wireman357 · May 29, 2011

Their exists a problem, where a JIB Approved Electrician with 25
years experience of installing, maintaining, testing and inspecting electrical installations, cannot apply for the jobs which are specifically asking for "2391 Approved Electricians".
The JIB Approved Electrician, with 25+ years of experience is being turned down in favour of recently qualified Approved Electricians who have the 2391. Modern day apprentices do the 2391 as part of their apprenticeship, while the old timers did the 236 parts 1 and 2. Looking at the requirements for a JIB Approved Electrician -

JIB Grading Definitions - Approved Electrician Grade

Surely, If someone is a JIB Approved Electrician, then it should be taken as a "given", he has at least the equivalent of a 2391.

Employment agencies need to remove this "Approved Electrician + 2391" because, first of all it is a redundant requirement and secondly, it excludes older sparkies who did the City and Guilds 236 and other variations of, in their apprenticeships.
How on earth are electricians, who have been in the trade for over 10 years expected to get a 2391?

ezzzekiel · May 30, 2011

How on earth are electricians, who have been in the trade for over 10 years expected to get a 2391?

they could sit the exam so cant see where you coming from on that but as for the rest im in agreement, in my opinion if a qualifed electrician ticks all the required boxes no matter what qualification route they took at the time (this should include the theory, test inspect and current regs) then they and only they should be given an approved status and anyone not making the approved status would be given a improver or trainee status and this should be done automatically and controlled by a non profit regulator.

SPARTYKUS · May 30, 2011

I understand the point but the solution is to grit teeth an do the 2391. Got it then. Forever. No more questions

ezzzekiel · May 30, 2011

and if as stated you are are fully qualified with loads of experience then the 2391 should be a breeze, its not a difficult exam just harder than the multiple choice exams that are the norm these days as you have to write and not click a option.

Deleted member 26818 · May 30, 2011

As far as I'm aware, Approved Electricians will lose their Approved grading upon renewal, if they do not have the 2391.

i=p/u · May 31, 2011

move with the times , every job wants extra certs, harness, mewp, confined spaces, world gone training provider mad

ezzzekiel · May 31, 2011

spinlondon said:
As far as I'm aware, Approved Electricians will lose their Approved grading upon renewal, if they do not have the 2391.

where did you get this info from ?

wireman357 · May 31, 2011

For sure, it would be a breeze to pass this exam. But, it certainly isn't a breeze to get a new 17th edition book (mine is full of notes and markings), actually find a place near me in Scotland that will allow me to do the exam only, take time off work ( I am a foreman in charge of 4 sparks currently testing, inspecting and commissioning a new Tescos store), pay for the exam with my hard earned money and eventually put the book back on ebay.
It is a complete pain in the a**e to have to do this, when I am already qualified and experienced enough, in my opinion.
Where will this all end? Our union is absolutely hopeless if we are to expect them to help us. By our own apathy and greed, we have abandoned any hope we have of being a united group of electricians. They could have us doing pointless courses and exams until we don't have enough time to go to work and we would have to follow along like sheep because we don't have a union.

wireman357 · May 31, 2011

What would happen if they decided that you needed a 5671 tool handling certificate, a 3792 European Technology card, a 9967B Competant Person Electrical Division Certificate, a M.U.G. (Man Under Ground) Tunnel/Confined Spaces Card - Domestic, a S.H.E.E.P. (Scientific Handling of Electrical Equipment Products) card?
I know it is all very well to say "They said you have to do it, so you have to. I've got my one" But seriously, can there be some common sense applied, when someone has carried a JIB Approved card for 15+ years?