Level 2 electrical installation course

[Matter]

Is this course worthwhile doing to gain electrical knowledge? Has anyone studied it before? Level 2 electrical installation

 

[Matter]

There is an experienced worker route, which has previously been mentioned in this thread.

What wasn't mentioned is the fact that a minimum of 5 years demonstrable experience is required, before anyone can even be considered for that.

Thanks and how do you demonstrate that? The level 2 diapolma route doesnt set my heart elight with the health and safety and communication sections I have done all this with my plumbing nvqs. I get the impression, correct me if I'm wrong that it's for people with no experience in the building trades what so ever and a pre course to help one get an apprentice. Again sorry if I'm wrong there. But I would really like to get in to the industry. So if that's the only route I guess it is.

 

[swaRRR]

So how did you get qualified/ gain experience?

Got a job as a mate. Got some experience plus my 18th and moved up to improver.

 

[swaRRR]

Within the same 5 year time frame you could have completed a full apprenticeship and have a year time served under your belt.

I've said on here before, which went down like a lead balloon but idc, that if you can do basic electrics you can fluff up your CV to get a mate's job.

£15/hr rather than £4-odd an hour for the first year then minimum wage. It's literally a 60 grand difference in terms of wages.

 

[Matter]

I've said on here before, which went down like a lead balloon but idc, that if you can do basic electrics you can fluff up your CV to get a mate's job.

£15/hr rather than £4-odd an hour for the first year then minimum wage. It's literally a 60 grand difference in terms of wages.

So if you do the basic electrics course i.e the level 2 electrical installation you can get the higher rate as a mate?

 

[swaRRR]

So if you do the basic electrics course i.e the level 2 electrical installation you can get the higher rate as a mate?

No i'm saying you can get more money instantly just by being interested in the trade, knowing some basics, getting your 18th edition and then getting out as a mate. Then learn by experience since as a mate nobody expects you to know what you're doing but you get more respect and money than an apprentice. It's kinda like an apprenticeship in that you're allowed to make mistakes and pitch in with stuff you're good at but you're always learning, only you're not bound to one company for 4 years and you don't have to go to college/be on crap money.

Modern apprenticeships are nothing but cheap labour. See the 'apprenticeships' in the service industry for examples, where apparently you need to fill in a portfolio to be able to serve food and wipe down tables.

 

[davesparks]

Then learn by experience since as a mate nobody expects you to know what you're doing but you get more respect and money than an apprentice. It's kinda like an apprenticeship in that you're allowed to make mistakes and pitch in with stuff you're good at

Yes there is more money in being a mate than an apprentice, until the apprentice qualifies and starts earning more.

If you've found work as a mate and have received all the necessary training to become an electrician then you are very lucky. An electricians mate is traditionally a labourer and not a trainee and wouldn't expect to receive the training needed to become an electrican.

Obviously the mate would get trained in some elements, the more day to day basics of installation work, working with containment, pulling cables etc. But not much of the theory, science, testing, fault finding or even connecting up anything much more than basic lights, sockets and maybe single phase DBs.

Modern apprenticeships are nothing but cheap labour.

Having served a modern apprenticeship I can assure you that this is not always the case.
Yes it does happen, unfortunately it always has and probably always will, but that does not mean that all apprenticeships are bad.

 

[nicebutdim]

Having served a modern apprenticeship I can assure you that this is not always the case.
Yes it does happen, unfortunately it always has and probably always will, but that does not mean that all apprenticeships are bad.

Serving a modern apprenticeship as an adult learner has been a great experience from day one and I've never had cause to complain about rates of pay.

 

[Matter]

Thanks for all the responses. Can I ask at one point was the level 2 in electrical installation partially funded? I know someone who paid £600 for it but that was like 10years ago. Is now £1635 at my local college. Thanks

 

[Lister1987]

Thanks for all the responses. Can I ask at one point was the level 2 in electrical installation partially funded? I know someone who paid £600 for it but that was like 10years ago. Is now £1635 at my local college. Thanks

I don't believe that level 2 had any top level funding (unlike the L3 2365/8203-30 had/has), there may have been local subsidies, I know my local college covered the costs of me ne due to low income but I imagine such a scheme would be local/regional.

 

[swaRRR]

Thanks for all the responses. Can I ask at one point was the level 2 in electrical installation partially funded? I know someone who paid £600 for it but that was like 10years ago. Is now £1635 at my local college. Thanks

If you're on the dole it's free. If you work it's very expensive. Level 3 at my local college is over £3.5k and takes a year. For comparison, if you go to a training provider down in Dartford you can get Level 2 and 3 for £4.5k and do the lot in 5 weeks practical in centre, study the book in your own time for the exams.

 

[Matter]

I don't believe that level 2 had any top level funding (unlike the L3 2365/8203-30 had/has), there may have been local subsidies, I know my local college covered the costs of me ne due to low income but I imagine such a scheme would be local/regional.

Thanks maybe the price has just gone up over the years. Not sure whether I would get funded for the level 3. As I think I read it's if you haven't already got A levels or a level 3. I already have a level 3 in plumbing.

 

[Lister1987]

Thanks maybe the price has just gone up over the years. Not sure whether I would get funded for the level 3. As I think I read it's if you haven't already got A levels or a level 3. I already have a level 3 in plumbing.

Not sure, I already held a level 3 qualification (National Diploma Animal Management from 2005) but still qualified for the level 2 funding, my level 3 however I used an adult learner loan

 

[Matter]

How much was the level 3 in electrical? 2 year course

 

[swaRRR]

How much was the level 3 in electrical? 2 year course

I'd budget £5k for it. Also you need to get in gear if you want to start - college started this week. You'll still be able to get inducted if you hurry.

 

[Matter]

I'd budget £5k for it. Also you need to get in gear if you want to start - college started this week. You'll still be able to get inducted if you hurry.

I have been searching for somewhere to do the level 3 on an evening noone seems to offer it around here.

I'd budget £5k for it. Also you need to get in gear if you want to start - college started this week. You'll still be able to get inducted if you hurry.

Thanks yes I know. I'm struggling to make a decision on it I want to get into electrics as I think the growth potential in the industry over the next couple of decades is huge. The problem being no college offers the level 3 on an evening. Or at all around here. My local college only offers the level 2. Does this open many doors on its own?

 

[swaRRR]

I have been searching for somewhere to do the level 3 on an evening noone seems to offer it around here.

Thanks yes I know. I'm struggling to make a decision on it I want to get into electrics as I think the growth potential in the industry over the next couple of decades is huge. The problem being no college offers the level 3 on an evening. Or at all around here. My local college only offers the level 2. Does this open many doors on its own?

You have to do level 2 before level 3, you're not allowed onto level 3 without it. Level 2 isn't worth much on site unfortunately and it won't get you many if any jobs on its own.

 

[nicebutdim]

You have to do level 2 before level 3, you're not allowed onto level 3 without it. Level 2 isn't worth much on site unfortunately and it won't get you many if any jobs on its own.

While that may be the case with college courses, anyone holding requisite qualifications will start their apprenticeship at level 3.

 

[swaRRR]

While that may be the case with college courses, anyone holding requisite qualifications will start their apprenticeship at level 3.

All apprenticeships for electrical installation are Level 3 to begin with. In England, anyway.

To go to college like OP is asking about you cannot skip to Level 3, you have to have Level 2 first.

 

[nicebutdim]

Apprenticeships begin at level 2 for students who don't gain the required GCSEs.

My point was more about the fact that this should all be weighed on balance...

College route requires time and expense of level 2, which for most people will be a waste of both. While people could follow your advice, fluff up their CV and apply for mate/improver positions, this may still leave them struggling to complete portfolio and gain NVQ. While you clearly have issues with the apprenticeship route for mature learners, my experience has been very different from yours and this at least demonstrates that matters are not so clear cut as one man's experience. I've been exceptionally lucky working mostly in industrial sites, with a decent amount of commercial work and occasionally domestic. My biggest challenge is remembering to take the time to document work, but that's something I need to focus on this year - realistically I could have gathered enough photographic evidence in year one to complete the NVQ portfolio.

As an apprentice your employer undertakes to provide the necessary time and experience required to complete every aspect of that apprenticeship and a suitably motivated apprentice could be through their AM2 in just over 3 years. I'd be curious to know what percentage of those going the college route would pass their AM2 within that timescale.

 

[davesparks]

Apprenticeships begin at level 2 for students who don't gain the required GCSEs.

It sounds like things have become a bit more sensible then, when I did my apprenticeship everyone started at level 2 in the first year.

It was a little frustrating being taught basic science when I have A-levels in physics, chemistry and electronics.

 

[swaRRR]

Apprenticeships begin at level 2 for students who don't gain the required GCSEs.

Not in England. An apprenticeship is Level 3 and if you don't have the GCSE's you do core maths and English as separate subjects alongside your other studies. I know because they made me do this at college; despite having A Levels in English and Maths (i did them off my own back as an adult learner with no GCSE's from school) i had to do the Maths and English core skills because i didn't have them in GCSE form.

Whatever 'level 2' you're made to do before the actual apprenticeship i don't know but an actual apprenticeship is Level 3 - you can't do one up to Level 2 and then just stop.

 

[Matter]

Apprenticeships begin at level 2 for students who don't gain the required GCSEs.

My point was more about the fact that this should all be weighed on balance...

College route requires time and expense of level 2, which for most people will be a waste of both. While people could follow your advice, fluff up their CV and apply for mate/improver positions, this may still leave them struggling to complete portfolio and gain NVQ. While you clearly have issues with the apprenticeship route for mature learners, my experience has been very different from yours and this at least demonstrates that matters are not so clear cut as one man's experience. I've been exceptionally lucky working mostly in industrial sites, with a decent amount of commercial work and occasionally domestic. My biggest challenge is remembering to take the time to document work, but that's something I need to focus on this year - realistically I could have gathered enough photographic evidence in year one to complete the NVQ portfolio.

As an apprentice your employer undertakes to provide the necessary time and experience required to complete every aspect of that apprenticeship and a suitably motivated apprentice could be through their AM2 in just over 3 years. I'd be curious to know what percentage of those going the college route would pass their AM2 within that timescale.

That's what I'm worried about the time and.£1635 cost of the level 2.

 

[nicebutdim]

Not in England. An apprenticeship is Level 3 and if you don't have the GCSE's you do core maths and English as separate subjects alongside your other studies. I know because they made me do this at college; despite having A Levels in English and Maths (i did them off my own back as an adult learner with no GCSE's from school) i had to do the Maths and English core skills because i didn't have them in GCSE form.

Whatever 'level 2' you're made to do before the actual apprenticeship i don't know but an actual apprenticeship is Level 3 - you can't do one up to Level 2 and then just stop.

Here it is still treated as an apprenticeship, but those who begin at level 2 will need an extra year to complete. I didn't know that GB had effected this change in a different manner, but my core point remains about colleges mandating level 2 being a waste of time and money for many learners.

That's what I'm worried about the time and.£1635 cost of the level 2.

I've never seen a college option that doesn't require level 2, but the only way of avoiding this (without being able to demonstrate 5 years experience) is by going the apprenticeship route.

 

[Matter]

Here it is still treated as an apprenticeship, but those who begin at level 2 will need an extra year to complete. I didn't know that GB had effected this change in a different manner, but my core point remains about colleges mandating level 2 being a waste of time and money for many learners.



I've never seen a college option that doesn't require level 2, but the only way of avoiding this (without being able to demonstrate 5 years experience) is by going the apprenticeship route.

I should learn at least something on the level 2? I would then have to hope a local college starts doing a level 3 course

 

[Matter]

I know some one who has the level 2 electrical installation diapolma. And he went on and did his inspection and testing so the level 2 must open some doors?

 

[nicebutdim]

I'm fairly certain there are no entry requirements to inspection and testing courses, but an understanding of fundamentals would obviously be a great help.

 

[swaRRR]

I know some one who has the level 2 electrical installation diapolma. And he went on and did his inspection and testing so the level 2 must open some doors?

There are different testing and inspection quals. One is the 2392 which is basically worthless and not recognised but it's a good primer for the 2391 which is the other one. That can be split into parts - 2391-50 which is initial verification, 2391-51 which is periodic inspection, and the 2391-52 which is both combined.

 

[Matter]

I'd budget £5k for it. Also you need to get in gear if you want to start - college started this week. You'll still be able to get inducted if you hurry.

You have know people to join a week or 2 in to the course?

 

[Lister1987]

You have know people to join a week or 2 in to the course?

Not so much, colleges know they'll have a handful drop out in the first few weeks so not uncommon to start a week or so in

 

[Matter]

Not so much, colleges know they'll have a handful drop out in the first few weeks so not uncommon to start a week or so in

Thanks those that drop out would lose all there money. If funded there self. I big lose