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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> Training ends this year, but what next? https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1231540140 Message started by JabbaJaws on Jan 9^th, 2009, 10:29pm

Title: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by JabbaJaws on Jan 9^th, 2009, 10:29pm

I want to become a qualified electrician. I have completed C&G 2330 level 2 and will hopefully achieve level 3, by Jul 09.

I am told that City & Guilds 2330 has replaced City & Guilds 236, if that means anything to anyone out there. I know that after l complete my training, l must complete the 17th Edition Wiring Regs course which is about 10 weeks.

My question really is what comes next? Will l have sufficient qualifications to work in the trade? What are the requirements and who governs them? Is it the JIB or NIECIC? As much info as poss appreciated.

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by Zambezi on Jan 9^th, 2009, 10:43pm

A lot depends on what you want to do? Are you planning on working for yourself or for somebody else? In my books practical experience counts for much more than pieces of paper. Some companies don't care if you don't know which end of a screwdriver to hold as long as you have the right bits of paper. Some people do a 3 day course and call themselves electricians.
If you are planing on working on big sites then it would be worth going down the JIB route because you will need a JIB card to work on most.
The NICEIC is a registration body for Part P (there are others like NAPIT, ELECSA, ECA etc) and they also register electrical contractors. Basically it is a club, which like any club, costs you money every year. Best bet is to look at their website to see what they do (and how much it costs to join the club).
If you give us a better idea of what you want to do then somebody will be able to steer you in the right direction........

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by cosbycarl on Jan 10^th, 2009, 12:08am

If you have the 2330 level 3 then why have you got to do the 17th edition 10 week course? The 2330 is to the 17th edition and its the c&g tech cert. I have the 2351 which was about just before they brought in 2330, having this didnt mean i had to do a further course for the 16th edition, because it was the 16th edition c&g tech cert. When the 17th came in i had to do the update course, but that goes without saying.

To be classed as an approved electrician i think you need the 236, 2351 or 2330, the 2391 test and inspect, the AM2 skills test and your NVQ3. You will also need to of served 5 years in total and have had to of had at least 2 men working under your supervision. This is only based on what i have heard that other people have had to do in order to be approved, it might be different for others im not 100%.

As zamb said though, experience is paramount in order to becoming good at your job, thing is though companies prefer to see paper work, if they dont they can take advantage of you by giving you sh*t money, also if you have paper work then your somebody they can shift blame on to, apart from the fact that paperwork proves to them that you have the competence to do the work, even though this can be untrue as well.

Take the supposedly qualified electricians that appear from the army or navy for instance, they have all the paper work possible but they do not have an f'ing clue as to how to install electrics, useless springs to mind and the word "how"? Every X serviceman i have met that is an "electrician" has been rubbish by the exception of one.

To sum it up, you can have all the certs needed and be rubbish or you could have no certs but have been doing it for 30 years, have had a vast amount of various different experiences and be f'ing spot on. Its all a load of money making bollox how ever you look at it, there are loads of cowboys with the certs, doesnt take much to open a few books and pass a few exams.

Sorry if this is more than what u bargained for, im bored :D

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by LSpark on Jan 10^th, 2009, 5:20pm

wrote on Jan 10^th, 2009, 12:08am:

doesnt take much to open a few books and pass a few exams.

I worked very hard for mine thank you! :-X

7 special hand shakes and 350 quid ;D

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by cosbycarl on Jan 10^th, 2009, 6:16pm

Your knowledge isnt just based upon opening a few books to pass some exams though LS, ive worked hard too and will continue to do so (not gonna ask so many questions on here from now on, i will learn more if i look for myself)

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by Lectrician on Jan 10^th, 2009, 6:23pm

wrote on Jan 10^th, 2009, 6:16pm:

So long as you bounce what you have 'learnt' to other peoples ears to ensure you have read and understood correctly ;)

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by cosbycarl on Jan 10^th, 2009, 7:49pm

Lectrician wrote on Jan 10^th, 2009, 6:23pm:

So long as you bounce what you have 'learnt' to other peoples ears to ensure you have read and understood correctly ;)

Thats where you come in lec, amongst others here ;)

Im not gonna ask people around me because to be quite honest, they seem to talk bollox, at least on here im getting answers from people who know how it is. So i will be bouncing what i have learned on here.

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by LSpark on Jan 11^th, 2009, 1:23am

wrote on Jan 10^th, 2009, 6:16pm:

Your knowledge isnt just based upon opening a few books to pass some exams though LS

I apologise Sir, I had not realized yet :o

Will you help me with the experience side of things then? ::)

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by cosbycarl on Jan 11^th, 2009, 4:03pm

LSpark wrote on Jan 11^th, 2009, 1:23am:

wrote on Jan 10^th, 2009, 6:16pm:

Your knowledge isnt just based upon opening a few books to pass some exams though LS

I apologise Sir, I had not realized yet :o

Will you help me with the experience side of things then? ::)

Confused? Im sure you have it all LS

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by JabbaJaws on Jan 12^th, 2009, 11:05am

Thanks for all of your input guys. I have realised that this particular road, is going to take a while and that passing some exams, doesn't prepare you for the trade side of things.

Im not sure why we have to complete the 17th Edition Regs course, it is the tutors at Calderdale College, where l study that have told us this.

I'll continue to ask questions on this website, as i'm sure there i'll need help in the future...

Thanks, Jabbajaws... :D

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by wozzy on Jan 12^th, 2009, 11:36am

even though you pass a exam in your city and guilds qualification thats harder than the 17th edition exam (which is quite easy) i think you will find it hard to get a job anywhere without it. just look at jobs advertised they will nearly always want you to have the 17th edition get on it as soon as you can!

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by JabbaJaws on Jan 12^th, 2009, 1:04pm

Thanks for the advice, wozzy. I'll make some enquires with my tutor tomorrow night...

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by BigT on Jan 27^th, 2009, 5:25am

This is the DIY section and there is also a trade section for those in the trade. As has already been said a piece of paper does not make you a good electrician but many think it does. Far from it, forget the blood sweat and tears you give to do the job, and at times very poor pay for a job well done.

Experience makes a good electrician and knowing your job and working in a safe way to complete the job and know that when you leave, you have done your job correctly and it is safe to use. Not only working safely for yourself but those around you too, other trades, the public and your clients.

A good electrician knows most things but doesnt know everything, but when in a position where they are unsure, they ask those in the know as do many on this site even yes qualified electricians. Those who are unsure about certain things but carryon regardless, are a danger to everyone and to themselves. This is why most electricians are not keen on DIYers, because many think they know how to do a job, but do not have the test equipment to test it and make sure its safe.

Many of us have put many years in to gain experience in our trade only to have a DIYer or cowboy think they know better when they dont. Going to college and obtaining certificates does help you to become a good electrician, but experience is the key to become a good tradesman in all trades especially in the electrical industry.

If you are just out of college I suggest you try and gain some experience by working with a locl electician or company, when you feel you have enough experience and feel you can work alone, and undertake anything that comes at you, then try working for yourself.

Its very easy to take the money and run so they say ask any cowboy theres plenty around. But if you want to become a reputable company and go from strength to strength, get the experience first so you can do a good job in the first place. Dont fall at the first herdle and make yourself look stupid by not knowing what to do, learn from those in the know.

Hopefully you will work for a good electrician who will train you well and offer you experience, and know how, and do a good job. If your unlucky and get with a bad electrician and you get bad training and bad electrical ways, leave them they will make you into a bad electrician. Well I wish you well and lots of luck in your future as an electrician but here is one thing you should always remember.

Never take anyones word of something being dead ( not live ) test it yourself, know what the circuit consists of incase there is a timeclock or something, and always expect the unexpected. Safety first and a good job second you only have one life so lookafter it.

Good luck and when in doubt ask.

Regards T

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by Y3 on Jan 27^th, 2009, 9:27pm

I always ask, and doesnt everybody know it here! I wish i worked for a firm that has a variety of good work, instead i go in dirty smelly houses doing crappy little jobs. I do void properties here and there but i just absolutely hate domestic!!!! I wanna go back to industrial/commercial, but without my nvq 3 (which im doing at the moment) nobody wants to touch me.

sh*t!

Good post though T

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by BigT on Jan 29^th, 2009, 6:58pm

Here you go Y3 give this a try you never know m8 you might get something. Hope you get something.

Regards T

Ps as I said expect the unexpected and with me you will always get that in more ways than one.

http://www.dalkia.co.uk/content.asp?page=200

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by Y3 on Jan 29^th, 2009, 8:12pm

Thank you T

Title: Re: Training ends this year, but what next?
Post by JabbaJaws on Feb 10^th, 2009, 3:19pm

Thanks T, the info you have provided is very interesting and ive a feeling that l will find it very useful in the near future.

Like you say what is done on paper isn't necessarily what is done practically... Thanks :)