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Discuss Can 5 week courses get you a role as a mate/labourer in the Electrical Work - Electricians Jobs area at ElectriciansForums.net

This person requires some work. They've hopefully explained their skills and qualifications and what area they're in. Otherwise, what's the bloody point?
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Mick

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Hello all. I'm in my mid thirties and looking to retrain as an electrician. I'm particularly interested in solar panel installation. Ive been researching the routes into the trade and I'm fully aware experience is everything. I'm in the north east and looking at the 6 week courses by tradeskills4u. I'm only interested in this course so I can get some basic knowledge and I'm fully aware I'm not a competent electrician on completion. The course would set me back £3200. I would eventually be looking at the nvq level 3 online once I have my foot in the door working in the industry. My question is, do you think anyone would take me on as a mate/labourer with the tech certs that this course offers? I'd work for minimum wage. Just need the experience to get the nvq 3/am2.
 
I believe the course you are looking at for £3200 is the Domestic installer course. If this is not the course you are looking at then ignore this first bit.

If this is the case then if you want to finally do your NVQ level 3 you will need your level 2 2365 and level 3 2365 before you apply for the NVQ level 3.
 
Hi Mik,
I would not recommend the six week course, but that's your choice.
I do think getting a job as mate or labourer to gain experience is a good idea.
Having the six week course behind you would not make you any more desirable to be employed by me.
I would and have taken on labourers for jobs in order for them to gain experience while they are doing there electrical installation level 2 or 3 courses.
Six weeks is not long enough. By the time you've finished cramming everything to get a pass on the exams you will have forgotten most of what you've learnt.

Pete
 
Is it 5 weeks spread over numerous block bookings of practical assesments based around home study and progression?

I did something very similar with a sister company of the one you have named.

One word of advice, don't think for one minute that this course will arm you with enough skills and knowledge to be competent on your own.

That's the problem with these course (some people go out working on all sorts of systems that they don't understand)

Use it as a platform. I used it as a way to get my 17th, my level 2 and some basic knowledge that would get me a foot in the door. I always wanted to further my training and so I was able to find a job as a mate with a level 3 apprenticeship (5357)

Be realistic, know your limits and study hard :)

BTW, I too am mid 30's.
 
Thanks for the replys. Unfortunately my current situation is I have nothing to offer an electrical employer in terms of experience. I did work on air con installations 7 years ago for 6 months but that's about it. Ive forgotten everything I've learned from that. I know views are polarised on the short courses, but surely they will teach you some fundamentals and to a novice like me that should be valuable. I'm hoping the very fact I've forked out a few grand to further myself would at least show employers that I'm keen and not messing around. Gaz, yes it's a 5 week continual course. I know how they work. They teach you what's necessary to get you a pass. And yes, I'm sure you've forgotten most of it on your first day on your new job.
 
Spot on. You will come out with the fundamentals.

I was praised for funding the course myself on my interview. They said it showed I was very dedicated (which I was, am)

It's not a negative route into the industry just be realistic, which it sounds like you are.
 
An electrician's mate does not need any qualifications, just a decent amount of practical skills, a good work ethic, good timekeeping, and some common sense.
 
I've always seen the 5 week courses as an option for practicing electricians/Trainees to get qualified. I don't think they're much use to a beginner like yourself.
If all you care about is getting a piece of paper then by all means do the course. You'll come out qualified and will last 2 weeks on a job if you're lucky

If you want to really become a real electrician then get a job as a mate or electrical labourer. Sign up at college for 1 or 2 nights a week and I promise you you'll get qualified and get the necessary experience to actually do a decent job

I'm only saying this because I went to college from 2008-2011 and most companies were recovering from the recession and not hiring any trainees. I completed the level 2 and level 3 2330 (now 2365) so was seen as an Electrical improver, even though I'd never worked on anything on a real job. . . It wasn't long until I was stuck in the stores and taking deliveries until I learnt enough to be allowed to fit double sockets :D

If you rush through the theory you'll find it harder to progress and will become one of the many electricians who struggle with basic ohms law or think all testers are wizards because they can use a calculator :p
 
Joshua is quite correct.

I did the domestic installer course, and found it extremely beneficial, but only after I had finished my electrical installation level 2, passed my 17 th edition and had started my level 3.

Domestic installer course is a good course, but should not be your first course. You need some fundamentals behind you.

The domestic installer does not teach these fundamentals in any depth.

I do not believe you are correct in people's polarised views on this forum regarding short courses. Yes we dislike them as a sole means of becoming a spark and dislike the fact that many learning centres are cashing in on false or misleading promises.

Short courses are invaluable to learning progression, but in the correct stages of development.

Order of courses in my opinion-

Electrical instalation level 2
17 th edition
Domestic installer course/ electrical instalation l3
2394
2395
2396
Other specialist courses( emergency lighting etc...)
On going update courses
HNC
 

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