My industry is gone (live events sound engineer)...City & Guilds 2365 Level 2 during lockdown II?

[nicebutdim]

There are some out there but few and far between. most companys seem to like getting folk straight out of school probably to pay less and get money from government . all you can do is send out a huge amount of C.Vs


i was lucky i got started at 16. (many years ago now)

Colleges that run apprentice courses in NI specify an upper age limit - I believe it's either 22 or 24. Can't speak for GB, but I can send out CVs until the cows come home and still wouldn't be able to take the apprentice route.

It's been a struggle to even find a college that runs Level 2&3 courses that I could undertake while gaining experience and the limited options usually available were unavailable this year due to coronavirus drastically reducing classroom capacity. I'm currently torn between starting a distance learning course or waiting to try and secure a college place for next year (days as no evening courses exist) - common sense tells me to wait, but there's no guarantee I'd get a place and trying that route might just see me waste a year that could have been spent gainfully studying.

 

[Sammysoza]

Hello lovely sparkies!

My livelihood, live events sound engineer, has been decimated by Covid - thank you bat soup!

I'm thinking of skilling up during lockdown II. Realistically, my industry will not pick up for six months at the earliest. Obviously, it's a far away dream to become a qualified electrician in that short space of time and I've read a lot of your incredible advice on the forum already.

However, I'm thinking about moving my way towards qualifying as an electrician, and if I enjoy it, maybe moving into it fully. I'm thinking that any courses I do towards becoming an electrician will complement my work as a sound engineer anyway. I understand the steps necessary to make it as an electrician...City & Guilds 2365 Level 2 & 3, 18th edition course, then NVQ3 while building up my portfolio on site. I know you guys recommend part-time /full-time courses at a local college, if possible. I know it's a long journey and under no illusion that a short course will see me making a living as an electrician. But, a lot of the college terms have already started, so I'm now looking at short courses.

I'm thinking of starting a City & Guilds 2365 Level 2 as soon as possible during this current lockdown. A local place near where I live, Optima in South London, are offering the level 2, but for almost £4,000! There must be a cheaper way of doing it. This seems outrageous! Any advice greatly recommended and any reviews of Optima is appreciated.

Hi JazzFrog,

Did you get around to joining a course? I'm in a pretty much in same situation as you were back in November. I also live very close to Optima but have been put off by their course prices. I'd love to hear which course you ended up going with.

Cheers!

Sammysoza

 

[Lister1987]

I've done the level 2 last year and am partway through the level 3, covid has hit college abilities to deliver learning effectively but I'm proactive enough to find out places and sources for learning.

Check with your local college, you may end up getting your course paid for (based on Universal Credit income), my level 2 was paid for and I've taken student finance (Adult Learner Loan) for level 3.

 

[Sammysoza]

I've done the level 2 last year and am partway through the level 3, covid has hit college abilities to deliver learning effectively but I'm proactive enough to find out places and sources for learning.

Check with your local college, you may end up getting your course paid for (based on Universal Credit income), my level 2 was paid for and I've taken student finance (Adult Learner Loan) for level 3.

Thanks for your reply,

What college did you do your level 2 at? Are you able to give me an idea of costs?

 

[Mike Johnson]

There is always the option of self learning, if you have the discipline to stick at it: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Practical-...76&hvtargid=pla-587802209439&psc=1&th=1&psc=1
And: for some reason the Forum will not let me put in the link from SPyF?

 

[Lister1987]

Thanks for your reply,

What college did you do your level 2 at? Are you able to give me an idea of costs?

Riverside College, Halton, Cheshire.

Think it was around 2k but would have to go back through records and check

 

[Sammysoza]

Riverside College, Halton, Cheshire.

Think it was around 2k but would have to go back through records and check

Thank you for the info. We're in different parts of the country and the fees in London are definitely more down here. I'm looking to do a home study course that allows me to work at my own pace and then you attend the college for the practical part of the module.

 

[nicebutdim]

Thompson Training and traininginelectrical.co.uk offer distance learning courses, with attendance required for practical elements. I can not comment on the quality of training offered by either provider.

 

[Sammysoza]

Thompson Training and traininginelectrical.co.uk offer distance learning courses, with attendance required for practical elements. I can not comment on the quality of training offered by either provider.

Thank you, I'll check them out!