Like many others I thought that being a spark was a quick thing to do - its not, it takes time and dedication. I started thinking a year or two in college and I would be away to go, I was really wrong. After level 2 comes level 3 and then the level 3 NVQ and then the 17th ed regs course (you need a level 3 qualification and the 17th ed regs course to join an approved scheme for a start - you cant do DI work without those quals) and the inspection and testing not to mention the AM2!!!! Thats not even if you decide to go down the HNC route or get an apprenticeship. The only reason I am carrying on with it is because I find it really interesting - if it makes me some money in the future then great. Then when you have all that you need a good rep and real world experience. If I had known what it was going to take to become a spark then I would have done plumbing ha ha.