What do i need ?

[jono1987]

Some of you may have ssen my thread the other day but it got little response, maybe because i didnt ask the right questions. Ill try agian.

SO

I am thinking of trying to become an electrician, but the prob i have is this, there are so many different quals and certs i dont know exactly what i should be looking for. Someone suggested that the best way to get into this would be an apprenticeship as that would qualify me in all areas, now, i presumed this would be about the only way into it without night school or some fast track course (which i dont want to do) are there other quals then that would allow me to get into this without an apprenticeship ?

I want to get into this as quickly as possible but i dont want to take short cuts that mean my competence will be minimal !!

thank you all in advance for the help.

 

[philip962]

No such thing as a quick fix really there are companys out there that offer the 2330 and work placements but don't nouch about them one is able skills the other way would be to do a domestic installers course which would give you the basics and then try and get work experience with a company hope this helps

 

[ezzzekiel]

ok here are your options:
as it stands at moment to become fully qualified you will need:
City Guilds 2330 upto level 3 (2years if one day at college or 3 years 2 evenings at college) +
City Guilds 2356 Nvq3 can be done in 12 weeks and is mainly eveidence of work you have done photos, etc +
City guilds 2382 17th edition wiring - usually a 2-3 day course.

however the above 2330 and nvq3 are soon to be replaced with a new all in one qualification the 2357, but unfortunately this will only be open to people employed in the industry (ie: apprentices)

you could sit the 2382 and the 2391 from which you would find a lot of employers would employ you with providing you also had experience - but 2391 is the hardest exam a spark will take and has a massive failure rate so you really need experience before sitting this exam.

alternatively there are fast track DI courses which to be honest are not really worth the money as the DI certificate alone is not that valuable from an employers point of view although a lot of chaps use it to go self employed, some places do a fasttrack on the 2330 which may be beneficial if you are aiming for fully qualified.

There are still colleges offering the 2330 as it has not ceased yet but it may be expensive now as goverment have pulled funding.

My advise is try to get on a 2330 course soon as possible and try to gain the much needed experience where you can, as you move on in the 2330 grab the 2382 then when all that is finished add 2391.

 

[nickblake]

Ezzee thats brilliant advice couldnt have put it better

 

[jono1987]

Thank you for your responses, that is exactly what i needed to know, thank you again.

 

[asht]

ezzze would you have to do the 2382 as well as the 2330? I'm half way through 2330 at night school as thought it was up to 17th edition wiring regulations? And johno, go for it, best thing i've ever done, dont be afraid of night school, its not as if you're missing out on the telly

 

[ezzzekiel]

yes - the 2382 is a stand alone qualification and during 2330 you are taught to the current standards you will still need this extra qual.
(most employers will advertise for a 17th edition electrician)

open book multiple choice (easy) you can sit exam only for about £100 or do a course which can cost between £150-£500 depending on who you do it with.

 

[MattRum]

Why would you not want to do a fast track course?
as i am in the same situation as you.

 

[jono1987]

Why would you not want to do a fast track course?
as i am in the same situation as you.

I just personally thnk that fast track courses are money spinners, i also dont believe that you cannot learn to be an electrician in a short amount of time, thats all, all down to preference though !

 

[ezzzekiel]

because he wants to be a professional electrician and understands the only way to accomplish this is the long slog through study.

 

[Sparky Ninja]

My advice would be to check your local colleges to see what they are suggesting.

My local college (bracknell & wokingham) have decided not to start a new 1st year 2330 this year, whilst the one I work at (langely) is enrolling for the level 1 2330. However, as the funding is no longer there it is gonna cost the students close to a thousand pounds for the first year alone.