18th Edition cash cow for the IET

[dksanders]

So the 18th edition is almost upon us, an event which is fast becoming a regular thing from the IET, either as a new edition or a new series of amendments.

I'm a member of the IET (or the IEE as it was), something that I used to be proud of but now find an embarrassment especially within the trade. The reason for that is because every few years the IET feels the need to generate more money for itself and so issues new amendments or a complete issue of BS7671.

And lets' face it, some of the changes haven't been worth while, e.g. harmonising section numbering with EU regulations, or the change of wiring colours to blue and brown ( why I don't know as I have no intention of taking my house to Europe)

As a minimum for the regulated, qualified, conscientious electrician, this means they have to buy from the IET new copies of BS7671, The On Site Guide, and which ever Guidance Notes are applicable to them; so costing £100's. Every now and then, a top up C&G course is also required.

I have over 30 years, on the job experience and I hold C&G 2381, 2381-20 (17th Upgrade) and 2391. Yet to comply with 18th I'm going to have to take a 3 day top up course costing £520 and with 3 days loss of earnings, and the books, I'll be close to £2,000 out of pocket.

I'm a self employed sole trader doing primarily domestic work; there's only so much you can pass on.

Apparently I have two years in which I need to get that qualification. well it's not going to happen, at that point I'm going to quit being an electrician. So though I say it myself, another competent, qualified, consciencous electrician driven out of business by yet more bureaucracy thereby making way for the unqualified, unregulated, cowboys to step in.

Sorry, just had to get that off my chest as it bugs me so much (and as I was hoping to get into The Electricians Arms)

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I was talking about this with a fellow spark and he had the idea of all chipping in together for the digital / pdf versions of the books and then copying it and sharing that way, can just use it on a cheap tablet! not sure if the digital or pdf version will have security features or not but you can see why people are thinking like this given the cost.

 

[Baker1988]

I do agree with ya mate, i however have no intention of quiting and doing another job but i do agree that they are just pushing them out and they will probily just keep doing it every few years as they know we will have to buy there books and also take the courses as we have to have them to be able to join a scam sorry scheme.

Its all about the money its really good for them they are earning a fortune but for us we are looseing money.

 

[ipf]

Sorry, just had to get that off my chest as it bugs me so much (and as I was hoping to get into The Electricians Arms)

Well. you'll need to pay £100 and do the Arms course for that.

 

[Baker1988]

I was talking about this with a fellow spark and he had the idea of all chipping in together for the digital / pdf versions of the books and then copying it and sharing that way, can just use it on a cheap tablet! not sure if the digital or pdf version will have security features or not but you can see why people are thinking like this given the cost.

I am up for that if your serious about it, and even if they have security on it im sure i could remove it given enough time.

 

[Octopus]

The gravy train isn't just the IET, it's the scam s, the training providers, and the manufacturers with with vested interests .......

We are just on the receiving end .... Like mushrooms

 

[Rpa07]

Yet if any of us did go against it and, say refuse to be in a scam and just carry on certifying and giving to the customers only what they expect - ie the EIC EICR or MWC - no one would come after us. No one.
LABC don’t want anything to do with part P so they give it to the schemes to control.
Nothing would happen. Let’s do it - REVOLUTION!
Let’s have a cup of tea first though!

 

[dksanders]

I was talking about this with a fellow spark and he had the idea of all chipping in together for the digital / pdf versions of the books and then copying it and sharing that way, can just use it on a cheap tablet! not sure if the digital or pdf version will have security features or not but you can see why people are thinking like this given the cost.

The way the digital books are supplied, you would have to licence the digital copy to e.g. a single laptop then share that one laptop around.

 

[dksanders]

I do agree with ya mate, i however have no intention of quiting and doing another job but i do agree that they are just pushing them out and they will probily just keep doing it every few years as they know we will have to buy there books and also take the courses as we have to have them to be able to join a scam sorry scheme.

Its all about the money its really good for them they are earning a fortune but for us we are looseing money.

Thankfully, and you'll love this, about 5 years ago my wife had an affair with the married vicar. I kid you not. As a result, divorce, and my house was sold at a loss (my pension was in the house) and I was then going to have to work until i died. My pension plan was to be found dried up in someones loft.

I could picture the household eating breakfast around the table... "didn't we used to have an electrician?" ... "yes, he never came back for his money". That was my future.

But (silver lining) my solicitor then showed me a new business which I've since been doing since alongside my electrician business, that has enabled me to be semi-retired and it's that that I'll continue building and doing when I stop being a sparky.

So nice to have that alternative

 

[Midwest]

Let me know what that is