Retraining as electrician - EAL or C&G? Prospective employers opinions on course-trained elecs?

[nicebutdim]

@Mike_Rho

These are NVQ qualifications, so it makes no difference whether you train through EAL or C&G. For most people the decision is made on the basis of availability and both options offer the same end result. I'm not sure why you feel EAL training is less well respected, when the end game is an NVQ qualification (regulated by OfQual) and AM2 assessment (administered by NET).

 

[DPG]

@Mike_Rho

These are NVQ qualifications, so it makes no difference whether you train through EAL or C&G. For most people the decision is made on the basis of availability and both options offer the same end result. I'm not sure why you feel EAL training is less well respected, when the end game is an NVQ qualification (regulated by OfQual) and AM2 assessment (administered by NET).

When I did my 2394 Inspection&Test I was the only one taking the C&G route. The other 8 or so people were doing the EAL. 'Lucky you says the trainer, they all do the open book multi choice , whereas you do that and also the full written exam!'

I think that's the reason some rate the C&G version a bit more highly. Obviously the practical section was the same for both.

I must have done OK though - I passed, but a good few of the ones doing the easier exam failed!

 

[Charlie_Don't_Surf]

I was told if you do EAL you cant get NICEIC approved, you need to do C&G for NICEIC

@Mike_Rho

These are NVQ qualifications, so it makes no difference whether you train through EAL or C&G. For most people the decision is made on the basis of availability and both options offer the same end result. I'm not sure why you feel EAL training is less well respected, when the end game is an NVQ qualification (regulated by OfQual) and AM2 assessment (administered by NET).

 

[nicebutdim]

When I did my 2394 Inspection&Test I was the only one taking the C&G route. The other 8 or so people were doing the EAL. 'Lucky you says the trainer, they all do the open book multi choice , whereas you do that and also the full written exam!'

I think that's the reason some rate the C&G version a bit more highly. Obviously the practical section was the same for both.

I must have done OK though - I passed, but a good few of the ones doing the easier exam failed!

Was it an easier exam? Multiple choice can be very straigtforward or can absolutely stink. We've done a combination of EAL and C&G exams and EAL have a habit of wording questions to make it appear as though more than one answer is correct, or none at all. I'm absolutely convinced that I've seen a couple of questions were their answer was wrong, but I would be inclined to think that way

I was told if you do EAL you cant get NICEIC approved, you need to do C&G for NICEIC

Seems improbable, don't you think?

There's a reason why I don't accept bold statements from unlikely sources and my cynicism is correct on this occasion. NICEIC provide a list of acceptable qualifications for those wishing to join their scheme, which is available for anyone to view.

 

[DPG]

Was it an easier exam? Multiple choice can be very straigtforward or can absolutely stink. We've done a combination of EAL and C&G exams and EAL have a habit of wording questions to make it appear as though more than one answer is correct, or none at all. I'm absolutely convinced that I've seen a couple of questions were their answer was wrong, but I would be inclined to think that way



Seems improbable, don't you think?

There's a reason why I don't accept bold statements from unlikely sources and my cynicism is correct on this occasion. NICEIC provide a list of acceptable qualifications for those wishing to join their scheme, which is available for anyone to view.

The multiple choice one was easier, but you are absolutely correct in saying that isn't always the case. Especially when it's a well written one where there are answers in them that could catch you out.

 

[nicebutdim]

The multiple choice one was easier, but you are absolutely correct in saying that isn't always the case. Especially when it's a well written one where there are answers in them that could catch you out.

Until recently, I'd always loved multiple choice questions

 

[Charlie_Don't_Surf]

Was it an easier exam? Multiple choice can be very straigtforward or can absolutely stink. We've done a combination of EAL and C&G exams and EAL have a habit of wording questions to make it appear as though more than one answer is correct, or none at all. I'm absolutely convinced that I've seen a couple of questions were their answer was wrong, but I would be inclined to think that way



Seems improbable, don't you think?

There's a reason why I don't accept bold statements from unlikely sources and my cynicism is correct on this occasion. NICEIC provide a list of acceptable qualifications for those wishing to join their scheme, which is available for anyone to view.

Hi thank you for this reply. For some reason I just took that as gospel, can't even remember who told me that now, but its a huge relief to know that I can still eventually get NICEIC registered as I've been told NICEIC is the gold standard in terms of accreditation.

My only remaining question in that case, is whether I could do level 2 EAL and then level 3 with C&G. Reason being, it would save me about 3 hours commuting per week for a year, which is quite a lot of time. Do you think anyone (potential employers / accreditation bodies I suppose) look unfavourably upon me if I had level 2 EAL and level 3 C&G? Or in your opinion, would it be better to stick with EAL and suck up all the extra commuting for a year?

 

[nicebutdim]

Hi thank you for this reply. For some reason I just took that as gospel, can't even remember who told me that now, but its a huge relief to know that I can still eventually get NICEIC registered as I've been told NICEIC is the gold standard in terms of accreditation.

My only remaining question in that case, is whether I could do level 2 EAL and then level 3 with C&G. Reason being, it would save me about 3 hours commuting per week for a year, which is quite a lot of time. Do you think anyone (potential employers / accreditation bodies I suppose) look unfavourably upon me if I had level 2 EAL and level 3 C&G? Or in your opinion, would it be better to stick with EAL and suck up all the extra commuting for a year?

I can see no reason why you should have any issue doing level 3 through C&G. While your level 2 was completed through a different training provider, NVQs are all awarded by the same body.

As for NIC being the gold standard? Many would disagree with that statement. The qualifications required to join NIC, or any other similar body, will differ depending on which of their schemes you wish to join. For their domestic installer scheme, requirements can be found on this page.