WarrenG

Enquired about a JIB card so that I could do some work on a site and was told that I would have to obtain a NVQ level 3, (@ £650-£800) complete a ECS test which is 40 questioins multiple choice (@£35.00) and then apply for a JIB card (@£25.00) just for the privilage.

People wonder why so many sparks are getting out of the bloody Industry!

Even though I am qualified spark to level 3, have the 16th & 17th edition, Inspection and Testing, PAT Testing, have completed part of the electrical design course C&G 2400, have a full Scope membership with NAPIT (a goverment approved electrical organisation enabling me to work in any domestic, industrial and commercial buildings) have worked in Spain, Germany and Denmark as a spark, and have my own Limited company!

Makes me wonder why we bother, because I sure if I went to the inconvienience of bothering to obtain all that is needed for a JIB card (and not that I am going to!), something else would pop up!

Maybe a new regulation for trying to earn a living will be next!

Dinosaur

Hi mate, Did those pen pushers at the JIB say what the NVQ 3 had to be in? I know someone who is doing a good business in hucky NVQ 3's in customer service! Might be able to lay my hands on one for you to sell to the jobs worth at the JIB.


remember the bread lands jam side down for a reason

dr rosenrosen

The nvq 3 as been around for years (since the 80s i think anyway?) and along with the c&g qualifications is neccassry to be a fully qualified and approved(in time) electrician. Frustrating maybe but its hardly crept up out of no where over the last year or so.

Cirrus

Oh dear rosenrosen you are gonna see what a can of worms you have opened! NVQ3 is not necessary to become 'qualified' and there are many on here who will be interested to know your exact definition of qualified. NVQ3 is not necessary, just handy to have IF you ever wanna work for a JIB company and thankfully they are becoming fewer and fewer. The JIB do not set the benchmark for our quals! I do not have NVQ3 and will never do it. Why? cos it just ain't worth the bloody money or paper it is written on.

wattsup

I tell you what really annoyed me, I've had the 16th since 2001...err no good, to take the 17th upgrade the 16th must have been gained in the last 5 years. Or get your wallet out and take the full 17th edition...robbing barstewards. As for the jib, they charge £25 every couple of years, like err yes you were an approved spark yesterday but today your not...25 quid please...the dirty dirty........

Oh and while I'm steaming the elf and safety use the same method, yesterday you was safe today you are not...that's 65 quid please...to make it worst both the 17th and the safety passport, any monkey can pass (well maybe a dolphin to pass the 17th) - Neither proves fa

dr rosenrosen

I'm inclined to agree with you and if your cards in with a firm they will pay you what they think your worth due to the quality of your work regardless of qualifications. However if you want to work for an agency or subcontract then they like that jib card and it can mean a few quids difference pay per hour

PS. I don't have the nvq 3 either and the health and safety side is ridiculous.

wattsup

If your cards in with a jib company then you must be jib graded, they will pay you the set down jib rate, approved if approved, or electrician.
No ligit company will employ a none qualified electrician as an 'electrician' the come backs are very serious if anything goes wrong. No qualification, no job as an electrician and it has been like it for at least 20 years. Although years ago an electricians mate could be made up to an electrician, if the jib company you was working for said so....don't know if they still have the ability to do that now...probably?

dr rosenrosen

Maybe if there a jib registered firm, but a lot aren't. There are a lot of people out there who have more than enough experience and knowledge as well as most of there tickets (c&g 2 and 3, 16,17th editions and 2391 say) and if you work for a firm and start out on a improver rate and after a trial period you show your worth then they'll up you to a full electricians rate.
On whats defined as an electrician all the regs say is "competent person" (as as been stated on this forum a million times) which lets face it that can mean anything, even though it shouldn't


PS. when i meant cards in i meant PAYE with a firm.

wattsup

I can assure you, even a none jib company will not employ an unqualified 'electrician'
I agree there are several means to prove qualified, unless you have at least one you will not get a start. If you have c&g 1/2 and 16th then you are qualified, may not have experience but still qualified. I may be missing something here?

dr rosenrosen

Yeah i didn't mean someone with just a 16th edition been classed as an electrician but somebody with practically all of there tickets. If were going just by jib standards then even if you have all the c&g and 17th edition you still not classed as a full electrician because they require the nvq 3.
The c&g is seen as theory based qualifications in there eyes and the nvq 3 as the practical work based skills side of things.