stevie h

My advice would be for you to look to get on with a JIB registered firm as an adult trainee , the money is OK as all rates are set by the JIB, trainees are on the same as labourers £9 ph ???, and try and get your self enrolled on a night courses if you can at your local college .......... if your long term aim is to work for your self I'd also look at the gas fitting courses , better money , easier to learn , less cowboys under cutting you ... we sparks have it hard

Bane

That was another bone of contention I had to deal with personally.
Day release or nights?

If I take the nights, I can still work a full week and attend college 2-3 nights a week BUT what if I'm working away? What you going to do? Drive back and forth from the site 2-3 evenings a week?

If I take day release (luckily, my college offers Mon or Fri), ok I lose a days pay but IF I'm working away I know that I can finish Thurs night, drive home and be done for the week and attend college the following day (or go Monday then resume work on the Tues).

Again, down to personal preference I suppose or indeed knowing what's in the pipeline (workwise) for the following academic year.

asoe209

Hi there guys just a quick recap of what i have done so far.

well from what people have been saying to start off with college seems to be the best way forward. so i have started calling my local colleges. the only problem i have fased with that right now has been that they are all say it 3 day a week and that they dont offer any night classes this is a big problem for me as i do need to work.

i have also done some e-mails and sent them round to local electricans yet to have any replys.

this look like they are heading back to doing home learning but im still not sure if this is the right way to go.

with what people are now saying trying to get a job on site. how do i go about doing that. i have no exprinces in that field of work i have done office work since i left college in 2000. and if i do get on some where will they alow me to go to college and that type of thing. i dont just want to end up as a labourer.

any one else with tips would be grate.

asoe209

hay guys it looks like im not going to be able to do this course in college. at looking at my fianance i just wont be able to afford the days taken off work evey college i have checked do not do evening classes and it would mean have to take 3days off work.

so it back to home learning. and to the 1st question are they any good. wish me luck,

Bane

How many colleges have you actually checked with? 1?

Don't go home learning route. You've never even been on a building site you said (if I'm not mistaken).

Get on the phone, get online, get visiting firms and sites and ask if they need any labourers, explain your wanting to get on at college etc.

Another reason to get some on the job experience is, imagine shelling out X amount of pounds then discovering the course isn't for you. Your fuc*ed.

asoe209

what course to do
any one that has seen my 1st therad will know im confused but have now found witch way to go.

I have managed to find a college that offers what i am looking for witch was a evening course. now i have been specking with learn direct and they have advised me that i need to do a C&G 2330 electrical installation 1st before any thing else.

now after looking at the college course im confused again on weather i need to be doing a Certificate in Electrotechnology Level 2 ( Buildings and Structures part time course or Level 2 Certificate for Domestic Electrical Installers short course.

I have also been told that for one of the course you need to e working in the field witch i am not. so i do neede the course that i can start and then find work in the field.

if any one out there has the time can you just have a quick look im sure for you guys it wont take long to work out witch one i need. links are below of course avable.

remember i have no exprence and am not working in the field.

short courses Engineering - courses

part time full
Engineering - courses

Shakey

the level 2 short course is the one i teach. it is the EAL course, and is what people call the Part P (because, along with a regs qual it is the minimum requirement to join a domestic installer scheme i.a.w Part P of the building regs.)

We have lads go through into 2-3 weeks intensive (including the 17th edition and C&G 2392 Fundamental inspection & testing) and go straight into employment.

Its an option, but more expensive. BUT, the lads are doing it for 30 quid a week on finance, and are earning before they start paying back

Bane has some good advice as well (cant believe i said that) buts its horses for courses

I always ask what you want to do at the end of it.

if its a 'full electrician' commercial/industrial/domestic, then its the 2330.

If its just house basing/domestic then its the Level 2 EAL route.

OR, if you dont really know, do the EAl, get qualified, get working and earning, and if you wanna go commercial/industrial later, then do the 2330 later - whats the rush!

you pays your money, you takes your choice

Bane

Changed over a new leaf Shakes!

LukeScotty

nice one bane, I like the new you, keep it up

as for asoe209, I don't think home learning is such a great thing. Think of it from an employers view, their gonna be looking at it two ways, wow this person is self motivated and clever to teach himself. Or god, how easy are these learning courses if u can pass them at home "can any one do them".

also its like trying to learn to drive, at home and then sitting ur test straight away IMHO.

also to point out the fact that one of home learning companies which have recently sold me a 2382 simulator, having some questions on it from the 16th which has been taken out of the 17th. Sent them an email and still no reply.... I'm waiting....

If You Build It, They Will Come n If it aint broken don't fix it!

Dazza1976

£5000 ??? That sounds extortionate !!!
I did my 3 years part time city and guilds course at college, which cost me about £380 per year. I studied for this while also working 2 jobs to make ends meet.
It was absolute hell doing this course and working 60 hours a week, but i got through it and passed with credits and distinctions.
What has proved more of a nightmare though is trying to find a job. I thought after completeing all that at my own expense and time, finding a job would be easy. How wrong could i be. All the jobs/companies i have applied with mostly require you to have 3years experience at least. Even electricians mates jobs i have seen advertised need you to have 1-2 years experience.
I have been actively looking for a year and a half now, and im beginning to lose hope.