What could happen to a cowboy spark if found out despite nothing going wrong on him?

[richy3333]

Re: What could happen to a cowboy spark if found out despite nothing going wrong on h

We have cowboys here but they are only on the ranches! All new builds are strictly controlled and licences have to be produced and registered when on site. You cannot advertise out here as an electrical fitter of any description (even vehicles) without the correct registration and licence. To put into terms for UK sparks we have house bashing licence, Commercial licence and Industrial licence. HV stuff is run by the energy suppliers and requires training. Everything you do is recorded and filed against you so that if something does go wrong it is traceable. You cannot purchase equipment from the wholesaler or supplier without producing your licence. B&Q type outlets are not allowed, you want electrical work doing you have to get a registered spark in who will carry out the work to Australia and New Zealand wiring regs standard. And yes your work can be inspected at random, if anything found lacking your licence will be revoked and you will have to take "remedial" training along with the trades testing at your expense. Get caught trading without licence and it's jail time over here, they understand that electricity is a silent killer and come down very hard on people who are found to evade the system. Draconian I know, but it works! You also have to renew your licence every five years in Queensland to show that you are up to date with regs and and technology.

How fooking refreshing

 

[grantr37]

Re: What could happen to a cowboy spark if found out despite nothing going wrong on h

There are no schemes over here! It is run by the relevant state government and is very effective. It isn't expensive to do your 5 year test $66 to apply! Linky to the Queensland DoJa site to give you a view! Seriously guys you can trade for about 3 months without a licence provided you have an expired licence! Longer than twelve months and it becomes "awkward"! Renew your electrical licence - Department of Justice and Attorney-General

$66...........so that's about £43.00UK then? that would cost about £700.00UK here for the same thing, about $1,071 AUD and they still wouldn't be finished with your wallet here(or your Bank account) in the UK a revoked Licence/expired Licence would be instant enforced tools down....by force of the law under threat of prison, just like a stopped driving licence....they have a licence here for Gas workers and it costs a fortune, if it goes out of date and you keep trading= potential Prison but most likely fined the price of a good secondhand car... Here in the UK you would have to have membership of various "schemes" as well as the Licence.....would cost thousands every year just to have the legal entitlement to work......and would probably go against a register with your National Insurance (social security) number with a note something like "do not employ this person in such and such trades as no Licence -revoked" etc.... Then what will happen is that the state in various eastern European countries will create a mickey mouse Licence that can be bought easily in those countries just like a Driving Licence......£50/$76and it's yours no questions asked...this Eastern European Licence will of course be transferable to the UK, and there will be less British people getting jobs yet again... I am updating a "ticket" for Alloy scaffold towers Next week(a paper certificate stating that I know how to use steps, ladders and small alloy mobile towers-common sense) it is costing me £240.00 ($368.00AUD) for half a day.........I am also needing to do another one for Cherry Pickers and that is costing me £240.00($368.00AUD) as well..... one of these "tickets" of which we are all expected to have several in the UK (on top of various Electrical and Electronics Qualifications etc) costs more than your Australian membership costs for 5 years..... A First Aid certificate (which is fully obligatory for many building sites and employers) costs £600.00($919.00 Australian) to obtain here in the UK and is valid for 3 years before you have to do it again at the same cost (or increased cost after inflation over this period of time) How much is it for a First Aid training certificate in Australia just now?

 

[grantr37]

Re: What could happen to a cowboy spark if found out despite nothing going wrong on h

This could be the right way ,if the Aussies have sorted it out ,and seems to work ,why can,t the powers that be in the UK do something

Because they would make an @rse of it then sit back and grin ...........

 

[grantr37]

Re: What could happen to a cowboy spark if found out despite nothing going wrong on h

Can't see why you are so against this unless you can't make the grade

The Aussie licence fees seem quite reasonable if this licence system was brought in no doubt the fees for us would be well beyond reasonable no doubt with the NIC or one of the others running it

How different the industry would be without any of the parasitic organisations taking money for nothing and going back to a properly qualified industry with decent rates. We can only dream

UNG I hate to tell you this but with the way the Schemes are here, the "Grade" would only last as long as your money for paying fairly hefty fees on a regular rolling basis......in return for a lot of nothing...



The "parasitic organisations" will never go away in the UK, that is the very nature of "big business" in this part of the world, i.e the UK and the Whole of Europe....and it will never never change as it is too much easy money for the few people at the top of the business foodchain...who have friends and influence in "high society"

The "Grade" in the UK would be a lot different to the "Grade" in Australia, and a lot more expensive......but like I said earlier, the European Licences(cheap and easy) would of course be readily transferable.............I think it is what they take delight in referring to as "positive discrimination" ....


I am OK if the Licence comes in and I can't afford to stay sparking, I can just turn my hand to IT work or wouldn't be bothered about sitting repairing Electronics all day...

 

[Geordie Spark]

Re: What could happen to a cowboy spark if found out despite nothing going wrong on h

The Sheriff never did catch me. ....... :cowboy: YEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Elmer BeFuddled]

Re: What could happen to a cowboy spark if found out despite nothing going wrong on h

OT

Geordie and Tonto surrounded by 2000 Sioux. "We're in big trouble Tonto" "What's with the 'We' white man??"

 

[Adam W]

Re: What could happen to a cowboy spark if found out despite nothing going wrong on h

Ive been working in a factory the past few weeks, and the owner of the place happens to be mates with another spark. Or "sparky"

The other guy doesn't have part p and im not 100% he's fully qualified.

It got me thinking, what could happen if he got found out by someone? Is there someone to find out he's working like this?!

Im sure its not a police matter?!

This is of course presuming his work is safe and such, I've seen some of his work and its done to regs (from what i can see) naturally if the cowboys work is dangerous and someone gets hurt then hes obviously in alot of trouble...

If he gets "found out" he's unlikely to hold up his hands and say "OK you got me - I'm a cowboy alright", he's more likely to say he's not doing anything he's not comfortable doing, he's been doing it for 20 years without any problems or just trying to better himself for the sake of his kids, and almost certainly wouldn't appreciate you branding him as a 'cowboy'.

 

[Robert Turnbull]

Re: What could happen to a cowboy spark if found out despite nothing going wrong on h

If he gets "found out" he's unlikely to hold up his hands and say "OK you got me - I'm a cowboy alright", he's more likely to say he's not doing anything he's not comfortable doing, he's been doing it for 20 years without any problems or just trying to better himself for the sake of his kids, and almost certainly wouldn't appreciate you branding him as a 'cowboy'.

I don't think he's done anything wrong, especially if all work is up to scratch.

A court of law has to prove you incompetent, unless he's not ever been to college or only done part 1 maybe.

if 5 weeks makes you competent then anything goes lol......

 

[Elmer BeFuddled]

Re: What could happen to a cowboy spark if found out despite nothing going wrong on h

I don't think he's done anything wrong, especially if all work is up to scratch.

Probably is.

A court of law has to prove you incompetent, unless he's not ever been to college or only done part 1 maybe.

So going to college makes you competent? Just gives you a badge to say you are competent but takes four/five years to sink in.

if 5 weeks makes you competent then anything goes lol......

Totally irrelevant. Who's to say what they did before their 5 week wonder course?

 

[Robert Turnbull]

I don't think he's done anything wrong, especially if all work is up to scratch.

Probably is.

A court of law has to prove you incompetent, unless he's not ever been to college or only done part 1 maybe.

So going to college makes you competent? Just gives you a badge to say you are competent but takes four/five years to sink in.

if 5 weeks makes you competent then anything goes lol......

Totally irrelevant. Who's to say what they did before their 5 week wonder course?

If you have a formal qualification in the subject you have a level of competency. That's the whole point of training.

This doesn't mean you works any good lol

There is a difference between incompetent/making a mistake /and just been **** at your job

 

[Elmer BeFuddled]

Re: What could happen to a cowboy spark if found out despite nothing going wrong on h

If you have a formal qualification in the subject you have a level of competency. That's the whole point of training.

This doesn't mean you works any good lol

There is a difference between incompetent/making a mistake /and just been **** at your job

I apologise Bob if it came across as having a go at you. Just, as a newcomer to this trade I get slated, whereas I know loads of experts who'll never change job because they, basically, haven't got a clue.

Again Bob, soz for coming on aggressive.

Me? I'm trying to learn everything I can. When I hit a problem, I'll post it here, and, trust me, I expect to have me bum ripped off me!!!

 

[Robert Turnbull]

They love a public bumming on here

 

[Silly Sausage]

Re: What could happen to a cowboy spark if found out despite nothing going wrong on h

Don't worry E!
I got unleashed on a chemical plant with just my Eng qualification, zero practical experience,
Got stuck in, learnt fast, job done.
I used to sit in some wind swept, freezing cold cabin calibrating a pH probe, took some notes or books with me and reinforced my knowledge!

Ignore these 'I can do whatever, I know everything, 30 years apprenticeship' types, ask them a serious question and watch them crumble.

 

[Adam W]

Re: What could happen to a cowboy spark if found out despite nothing going wrong on h

I don't think he's done anything wrong, especially if all work is up to scratch.

A court of law has to prove you incompetent, unless he's not ever been to college or only done part 1 maybe.

if 5 weeks makes you competent then anything goes lol......

His work could well be up to scratch - I would say 20 years on the job would probably make him more competent than 5 weeks in some training centre.
I'm not saying he has got 20 years on the job, he might have no qualifications and no experience, but it might be worth finding out before branding him as the 'c word'.

 

[Rockstar94]

Isn't this where a scheme like NAPIT has the edge not sure as always dealt with NIC but don't NAPIT certify the individual not the company as a whole?