Training in Northern Ireland as a 'mature' learner.

[nicebutdim]

Hoping that someone can provide advice about entering the industry. I know there are many similar threads, but I'm looking for advice specific to training in NI.

It's a struggle to find courses which aren't limited to those aged 16-24 and serving an apprenticeship. I'm mid 40s and self-employed, so need to continue earning a wage. I'd hoped to get through level 2, then find work as a spark's mate to get through level 3, but can not find any courses that would let me do this. What's most frustrating is that I was advised last year to go this route, yet after waiting a year the option doesn't seem to exist.

I'd prefer not going down the route of short courses or distance learning, but am struggling to find an alternative. I understand why most resources go toward training young people, but surely some options exist for mature learners who are prepared to fund their own training?

 

[MJPD29]

As above ETT are probably going to be the most knowledgeable and helpful. Colleges here seen to be solely interested in money, and I believe they make more off young apprentices. Apart from that level 2 and 3 are the right way to go, never heard or a short course here and never met anyone that's done one.

 

[nicebutdim]

I'm not aware of any short courses in NI and I'm loathe to undertake one due to their very tight time constraints and the considerable additional costs involved with travel to GB and also accommodation.

If no college courses are available locally, which seems to be the case this year with limitations placed on colleges due to coronavirus restrictions, distance learning from one of two available providers would be my preferred fallback option. It seems that the pace of distance learning is dictated by the student, which would allow for a firmer understanding of subject matter before progressing from one module to the next. Practicals still require travel, but a week or two is no great hardship.

I don't want to post too much details of the of the conversation I had on a public forum as it involved progression of mature candidates, dependant upon experience and some other factors. It was enlightening and,we're it not for the current situation, I'd probably now be enrolling at a local college. I'll defintely speak to ETT before commiting to anything, but ongoing searches of local colleges still haven't thrown up any promising results.

 

[sparkmaybe]

Had an interesting and informative chat. Turns out that level 2 course isn't running this year, but was given some ideas and options to think about alongside the previous plan.

Hi,
Im in a similar scenario now and on the lookout for what route to take. Just wondering if you can tell me what route you took or what the options were?

Thanks

 

[nicebutdim]

Hi,
Im in a similar scenario now and on the lookout for what route to take. Just wondering if you can tell me what route you took or what the options were?

Thanks

If you're wanting to go the apprenticeship route, then SERC is the only college that will take adult apprentices - unless other regional colleges have changed their policy in the last couple of years.

Do you have any experience and, if so, how much? This might open other options to you. What age are you?

There are options to gain qualifications through short courses or distance learning in GB, but I was resistant to this (as anything other than a last resort) as I think the industry here is less open to that route than it is in GB.

 

[sparkmaybe]

If you're wanting to go the apprenticeship route, then SERC is the only college that will take adult apprentices - unless other regional colleges have changed their policy in the last couple of years.

Do you have any experience and, if so, how much? This might open other options to you. What age are you?

There are options to gain qualifications through short courses or distance learning in GB, but I was resistant to this (as anything other than a last resort) as I think the industry here is less open to that route than it is in GB.

I'm 33. I was more thinking the short courses route as I work full-time. I work wiring electrical switchgear panels and get on pretty well at it, but there are no qualifications involved in this.

 

[nicebutdim]

I'm 33. I was more thinking the short courses route as I work full-time. I work wiring electrical switchgear panels and get on pretty well at it, but there are no qualifications involved in this.

You'd have to travel to GB for a short course or perhaps distance learning, with travel only required for practical assessments.

I considerd the latter as a last resort, but pushed for three years to get a college place. I reckoned it could be very difficult to earn a living over here after a short course, unless you just want a qualification and plan on sticking with work you currently do.

 

[sparkmaybe]

You'd have to travel to GB for a short course or perhaps distance learning, with travel only required for practical assessments.

I considerd the latter as a last resort, but pushed for three years to get a college place. I reckoned it could be very difficult to earn a living over here after a short course, unless you just want a qualification and plan on sticking with work you currently do.

Tha

You'd have to travel to GB for a short course or perhaps distance learning, with travel only required for practical assessments.

I considerd the latter as a last resort, but pushed for three years to get a college place. I reckoned it could be very difficult to earn a living over here after a short course, unless you just want a qualification and plan on sticking with work you currently do

Im in two minds what to do, but still leaning towards the short course route. My workplace has offered me an apprenticeship at college starting this year (lasting 4 years) but it would mean going onto a set lower wage for the 4 years. I would still be doing the same work I'm doing now and at the end be qualified. I was thinking the short course route does the same theory work but only faster as you are not restricted to 1 day a week of class. Doing it this way I can stay on my wage and complete sooner allowing me to progress to different areas if the opportunity arises. Is there a reason it would be difficult to earn a living here after the short course route? Thanks for replying too

 

[MJPD29]

Tha

Im in two minds what to do, but still leaning towards the short course route. My workplace has offered me an apprenticeship at college starting this year (lasting 4 years) but it would mean going onto a set lower wage for the 4 years. I would still be doing the same work I'm doing now and at the end be qualified. I was thinking the short course route does the same theory work but only faster as you are not restricted to 1 day a week of class. Doing it this way I can stay on my wage and complete sooner allowing me to progress to different areas if the opportunity arises. Is there a reason it would be difficult to earn a living here after the short course route? Thanks for replying too

It’s not really recognised here. I can’t see any employer taking you on with it unless your current employer is willing to. You could always try and go out on your own in domestic work I suppose

 

[sparkmaybe]

It’s not really recognised here. I can’t see any employer taking you on with it unless your current employer is willing to. You could always try and go out on your own in domestic work I suppose

If you complete all the necessary courses and attain the gold card surely that has to be recognised? or am i understanding it wrong?

 

[nicebutdim]

It’s not really recognised here. I can’t see any employer taking you on with it unless your current employer is willing to. You could always try and go out on your own in domestic work I suppose

The qualification would be recognised, but that's about it. Thousands spent with no prospects beyond current employment. The other route might mean less money for a few years, but opens all sorts of doors.

I guess much depends on whether OP wants to have a certificate or broadened employment opportunities. It's a tough choice to give up everything and start again, but I have no regrets about doing it a decade later than OP.

 

[nicebutdim]

If you complete all the necessary courses and attain the gold card surely that has to be recognised? or am i understanding it wrong?

Qualifications will certainly be recognised, but to what ends?

 

[sparkmaybe]

Qualifications will certainly be recognised, but to what ends?

Yeah I know what you mean. Do you think though that it will be any different if i complete a 4 year apprenticeship whilst working at my current company or 2 years in short courses whilst working at my current company all whilst doing the same work in both scenarios? (Sometimes its hard to come across right on txt) Do you think doing an apprenticeship opens more doors even though it would be done within the same company as im in doing the short courses?
Im trying to get as much info and insite before committing to anything so cheers again

 

[nicebutdim]

Yeah I know what you mean. Do you think though that it will be any different if i complete a 4 year apprenticeship whilst working at my current company or 2 years in short courses whilst working at my current company all whilst doing the same work in both scenarios? (Sometimes its hard to come across right on txt) Do you think doing an apprenticeship opens more doors even though it would be done within the same company as im in doing the short courses?
Im trying to get as much info and insite before committing to anything so cheers again

Experience within the same role will be limited and, no matter what route you take, you're going to have to break out of that role in some way in order to complete the NVQ. Without NVQ, you can not sit AM2.

Either route can ultimately lead to the same qualifications, but one is widely recognised and the other (on this side of the Irish Sea) is not.

 

[nicebutdim]

There is one other option, which is the experienced worker assessment. You could speak to a local college about this, but I'm not sure what the entry requirements are as far as (breadth of) experience is concerned.

 

[sparkmaybe]

There is one other option, which is the experienced worker assessment. You could speak to a local college about this, but I'm not sure what the entry requirements are as far as (breadth of) experience is concerned.

Yeah I must ring and ask what options are available. Hope I get the ball rolling with something soon. Are you now qualified?