Which courses should I be looking at...

[Davey Martin]

I am totally unqualified as electricians go but with my current (manufacturing) job in jeopardy I am looking at courses to be come a qualified domestic electrician.

I have done light electrical work around the home in the past, most recently replacing a shower unit (very basic, I know)... but it got me thinking it's something I'd like to do as a career.

Which courses do I need to be looking at so I'd be able to carry out work in other peoples' homes and what sort of time frame for training would you say is reasonable? I had seen two courses, one being the Part P (which I gather is essential anyway and is done over 5 days) and the other being for a Domestic Electrical Installer which is a 4 week intensive course. With having a new baby, being out of work for a long period isn't really an option so short courses like these, if they're any good, would be ideal.

Am I on the right path or should I be looking at doing it differently?

Thanks.

 

[Oh_Dear]

Hi, where did u manage to find a nightschool in Sheffield that offers this course, been looking for a while, looks like only option round were here is Donny college, n that's 2 days a week. Cheers

 

[philnorth82]

Hi, I agree with about how you can't learn in five weeks etc.
As for how i found it, well I did my level 2 in leeds and I'm finishing off my level 3 in sheffield (the change is due to living arrangements not course quality). Now, If you have something about you which i'm presuming you do been as you have been working as a mate for 5 years then you should fly through it with out any hiccups. The course content isn't too hard and is at a farely slow pace so that everyone can keep up.

The majority of exams are multiple choice on a computer with a couple of practical assessments from what I can remember. I think the practical assessment involved mounting an 8-way C/U; a mock SWA supply, a Ring main in PVC conduit; A two-way lighting in Steel conduit wired in singles which then fed a light using fp200, and finally a clipped direct one-way light. That might sound a lot but remember it is all surface mounted on a ply wood board which for me was no bigger than 1.5m wide and 2m high. You had to also right a materials list and work out the mounting heights complying with BS7671.

Personally I found the level 2 a bit slow at times but equally i would reccomend it as the route to go down as a oppose to a fast track course. The electical principles part of the course (unit 202) was probably the hardest as this is where you learn the science behind it all and the formulas. Me being me though i actually enjoyed this as your actually applying the maths to something practical. If you Excel in this area instead of trying to blag your way through the exams it will set you in good shape for moving on to your level 3. I'm only saying that as i know a lot of people on my course got away with that and still came out with pass's and credits.

Hope this is of some help, rant over lol

Tom

Wherein Leeds did you do your level 2? I've been looking at similar courses in the area and could only see one at the building college. Also would you recommend where you went?
Thanks

 

[James Thompson]

Best thing you can do mate is a 2365 City & Guilds course. Will give you all the electrical experience you will need.

If you visit the website 2365 to read up more about the course itself.

It is offered here under a distance learning scheme, so you can learn at your own pace. That way you won't have to miss a minute of your baby growing up.

Hope this helps!