JIB Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) To JIB or not to JIB

[Victorcrane]

Hi folks. I'm just wondering if any of you can advise me on the JIB situation. Basically I worked as a mate for about 6 years before doing my 2330 which I completed three years ago. I then did my AM2, 17th edition and 2391, at a total cost of almost £5000. As I had a mortgage to pay I just wanted to get on with being at work and really didn't have the time or money to think about doing the NVQ level 3 which was a further £1500.

Now after two years as an NIC QS and with a pretty good level of experience across various areas of work I find myself out of a job and the biggest obstacle before me is a bloody piece of plastic to tell people I'm a real electrician. I don't think I meet the requirements for an approved electrician card, which is what most of the firms I'm applying to are asking for. I did an apprenticeship, but it was the old fashioned kind which came with exactly zero bits of paper, I just learned the trade. Is there any route open to me other than doing the NVQ3? This situation seems absolutely hideous to me, several jobs I'm looking at right now involve nothing more complex than routine maintenance and minor alterations to domestic installations and for that it seems I'm not qualified. Is the whole thing a money making exercise or what? Can you tell I'm a bit miffed at the moment? :frown2:

 

[Andy 7671]

Get a reference from your old employer.

Reference from firm you did apprenticeship with....?

Sign up for NVQ3.

Download grading sheet from JIB website.

Fill in and wait for provisional electricians card,thinkthey give you 2 years to complete.

 

[Guitarist]

I take it you are trying to get a job with a firm rather than being self-employed?

 

[Dean]

People that actually did an apprenticeship when the NVQ wasn't around can get a gold card through 'grandfather' rights. But you mention you did 2330 which only came in a few years back. Was it a proper apprenticeship?

 

[Victorcrane]

This is the problem, the 'proper' apprenticeship. I guess it probably wasn't, I worked for an old timer and he basically showed me the ropes, I guess it wasn't really official at all. My problem is that I worked for so long unqualified, people tend to say 'Ah you did the 2330, so you've not been a sparks very long at all!'...

Incidentally I'm presently working with a lad who has been in the trade 23 years and his JIB card says he's an apprentice because he couldn't find any documents when his company decided to go JIB. This guy is a superb sparks, it's just a totally ridiculous situation.

Yes guitarist I'm trying to secure work with a firm, I'm also a guitarist.