Access 2 Tade Careers -

dimspark

I'm in the process of signing up with Access2Trade largely due to this post and the helpful people who have submitted info on it.
On another post a member has posted this with regards to the qualifications we will gain on the course:
"Maybe if you want to become a professional electrician you should be looking at the C&G 2330 and the 2356, coupled with the part p and the 2382. This will train you in domestic, commercial and industrial environments. The courses you mentioned only have domestic elements and you will not be a qualified "electrician"."
Is this the case as I haven't signed the cheque yet!!
Any help would be much appreciated!

Besim10

Hmm

A familiar quote. The information is 100% correct but don't just take my word for it. Here is some helpful information from independant bodies:-

City and Guilds
02072942468

JIB
02083020031

Mention you want to be a qualified 'electrician' and ask them what qualifications you would need.

Try this link:-

Electrician Job Profile

A common misconception is training providers offering a domestic installers course with part p, 17th edition, 2392 (initial verification) and 2391 (inspection testing) and calling it a 'Professional Electrician' course. However a glorified 'Domestic Installer' is what they should call it as you are restricted to only working in domestic environments. A qualified 'Electrician' is multiskilled and is elligible to work in commercial, industrial and commercial environments. They are recognised in the trade as being skilled and can further their training such as working in power stations and factories.

Choose your course wisely and don't always take answers as face value. It's important to do your background research.

Good luck

guitargraham

Hi i started this course back in Feb 2009 and next week i go away to do my 3rd week, the 17th Edtion and the G & G 2392-10 Level 2. on passing these i can then apply to join 1 of the governing bodies and work as Domestic Electrician.
This is what i started this course to do and a couple of lads i met in March on week 1 are now doing that.
I signed up for the full course and people i have spoken with say that if i get the C & G 2391-10 level 3 and the C & G 2377-12 Level 3 then the worlds my oyster?

So far i feel money well spent and i will give my update to this when i retun, hopefully with good news ??????????

dimspark

Hi Graham, and as I said earlier, thanks for starting this post as it has proved really useful so far. Besim has made me rethink my options a little though. I do intend to work in the domestic market but I also have customers in offices, warehouses schools etc who definitely want me to do their electrical work when I'm qualified(I currently work as a data installer). I'm still a little confused as to whether Access 2 Trade will give me the qualifications necessary to be able to do this??? Guess I better keep on with the research!

guitargraham

Hi has far has i understand there are no regulations for commercial work other than you are a competant person unlike domistic where you have to be Part P? somebody may correct me.

But of all the courses out there i have not come across any bad feedback back about Access2Trade?

You do what feel best for you and good luck

Graham

Besim10

You cannot work in a commercial environment unsupervised without the 2330 L2+ L3 and 2356 (NVQ3) or previous qualifications i.e the 236 or 2360 P1 and P2.

There may not be bad feedback about access 2 trade yet as they are quite new to the industry, however after looking on their website they advertise a 'professional electrician' without offering the 2330 the electrician course, with only domestic training. Isn't this a form of mis-selling?

You be the judge...

guitargraham

Hi Besim

Your post got me thinking so i asked access2trade and this is the reply.

"The good news is that the training you are doing will let you work as a commerical and industrial electrician. You do not need the 2330 in order to be classed as a qualified or professional electrician

The 2391 is regarded as the most complicated exams, even by highly trained sparkies, and this is what you'll take at the end of your training (no pressure!)

The 2330 is what people normally train towards if they follow the apprentice route. It takes a long time, up to four years, because most people are released on day leave to study."

And as i said i my last post the 2391 is the important 1. Two sparks i spoke to before i enrolled, 1 is a electrical company director the other a team manager both mentioned the 2391 and said thats the 1 which a lot of people shy away from.

But i feel happy with what i am doing and so do the people i have meet on the course.

Graham.

Besim10

I'm sorry to say that if that is what they have told you, it is a total lie. There is no qualification that they offer which will allow you to work 'LEGALLY' on a commercial or industrial premises unsupervised. With regards to being a qualified electrician the 2391 is not important at all. The 2391 allows one to do periodic testing and signing off electrical installations others have made. It doesn't allow you to do an office block rewire. It is a good money earner and should be done by a qualified experienced electrician.

A 2391 should not be even attempted by someone with only a basic understanding of domestic installations. One of the main units of the 2330 level 3 course is inspection testing and commissioning. A crucial unit one needs to learn on theory and practice before even attempting the 2391 exam. And even then then exam is still tough but at least one has a chance.

The 2330 is not only available on the apprentice route, can be done privately also.

The end result should be working towards the NVQ3 2356, what you need to be recognised as an approved electrician. This also happens to be a listed qualification if one wanted to immigrate somewhere for example. It is the current industry standard. No other qualifications hold this weight I'm afraid.

guitargraham

Hi Basim

What if i dont want to rewire a office block? what if i just want to be a house basher, i dont see what the problem is that you have with the course i am doing?

I dont want do appear to be rude and really enjoy being part of this forum, but i am doing this to improve my life and have loads of good feedback from A) people doing the course and B) poeple who have replied to questions i have posted

At the end of the day we all have 1 thing in common, ELECTRICITY, Sung by OMD Cracking song.

Regards

Graham

dimspark

Hi Graham, i'm not sure Basim is saying he has a problem with the course you are doing, he is simply saying that it won't legally allow you to work in a commercial premises.
The problem is Access are saying it will, someone has got it wrong I just haven't found any other info to justify either yet.
But what I don't understand is if you just want to be a house basher why do the 2391 qualification which allows you to test commercial premises? I will be rewiring office blocks (hopefully!), and I can't afford to invest £6k in something that offers a "professional electrician course" but won't allow me to operate as one.

Fingers crossed it will all become clear soon.......