fao lcdman

[donnachristi]

Thankyou very much for your advice i really appreciate your honesty!
However i would like some more advice from you please.. i dont think i will become an electrician with simply a piece of paper, i am willing to work very hard.
I wish to become a domestic installer, so as to do work myself within my bar.. and have been advised by the association i am with, to firstly take up this course (17th edition) at 3days and then to proceed with another 2 courses at 5days each.. i dont have any previous experience with electricals really and so i was worried myself as to how i am going to do this, but i am told the three days will give me what i need to pass.? am i being duped here?? i did see 13day multi courses etc on the internet and the asscociation i am with has told me these are the ones to watch.. i am confused as i have paid for this now and dont like to be made a fool of. Any honest advice is very welcome.. thankyou in advance!

[LCDMAN]

If I might draw an analogy here, what you are trying to do is take an "A" maths exam without even having studied junior school maths first!

"2382-20 Entry Requirements

It is expected that candidates must have achieved one of the following qualifications which addresses the requirements for BS 7671 in order to be allowed to enter this qualification. Centres are required to ensure that only suitable candidates are entered onto the qualification and must hold a copy of each candidates below certificate(s) for external verification monitoring. Failure to hold such records will result in sanctions being applied and approval being removed.

City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS 7671: June 2001 (2381), or
City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Electrotechnical Technology Installation (Building and Structures) (2330-07), or City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Electrotechnical Technology Electrical Maintenance (2330-08), or
City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Electrical Installation Part Two (2360) (from January 1st 2004 onwards only)
These requirements have been agreed with SummitSkills and other providers and we believe consistency by Awarding Body's in the entry requirements for the 17th edition update will benefit the industry as a whole."

[LCDMAN]

As you see, the C&G 2382 is not an entry into being an electrician, it is for practicing electricians, who are already qualified, to get a formal certification to show they are fully au fait with the latest wiring regulations. You need the C&G 2330 {Certificate in Electrotechnical Technology } or 2360 (Electrical Installation, used to be 236 when I took it in the early 80's!) to begin with. Have a look here;

http://www.cityandguilds.com/cps/rde/xchg/SID- 3C9C3882-89DF9815/cgonline/hs.xsl/1107.html

You need to start at the beginning with an understanding of basic electrical principles and installation practice and methods. There is a lot of circuit design and planning involved in being an electrician, as well as testing and certification. This is all integral to the 17th edition regulations and 2382. I think you have been very badly advised and should take a good look at the City and Guilds website to get a truer understanding of the correct route.

[Disco Fever]

I'm a sparky as well and I still have the 17th edition course to do as I haven't had the time yet as my work load has gone thru the roof but because the last update I did, IEE 16th edition, was before 2001 then I have to do the 5 day course to bring myself upto date. You will need to do the proper electricians course from scratch and the last time I knew someone who did the night course it took them 2 years just to become a sparks but also remember it's ok to sit in class or fix things to a wall in college but you need to gain as much experience as you can while your training as each job is different from the last.

I would enrol on a course then see if you can get experience from a local sparky even if you have to do it for free as it will pay off in the end.

Good luck.