Novice starting a Level 2 C&G 2365 Course in September

[Raymondo89]

Hi guys, this is my first post here.

So I'm 31 years old. Been in the same dead end job for 8 years now, which pays the bills and can go out once a week but little else really - and no real chance of progression. For the last few years I've been trying to figure out the best way to become a fully qualified electrician - I know a few people in the industry already, so may have an advantage of getting someone to take me on once I get qualified to the point where I need hands-on experience.

I'd looked at countless "training providers", promising to have me fully qualified in under a year, but they all appeared to be not far off scams. The ones I rang were very sales-pitchy and wanted to speak about my aspirations in life and convince my girlfriend to get on board via zoom meetings (all seemed fishy to me).

A friend of mine is a plumber, and was late into the trade in his early 20s, but went on evening courses at his local college and eventually got himself qualified and is now working on building sites. I'd like to do the same thing, but in the electrical trade.

So I've began the application process for an evening course at my local college - Level 2 C&G 2365 Electrical Installation. I understand it should take me about 9 months.

I would just like to know if anyone else on here has gone through the same (or similar) route, training to become an electrician whilst still working, and how their experience was and if they have any advice for me. Searching the internet yields no definitive process I need to take so whilst I feel somewhat informed I still feel like I'm winging it a bit.

Thanks for reading

Ray

 

[Lister1987]

I did my level 2 on the daytime around my office work and initially started level 3 (8202-30, not 2365 as funding for that latter was moved to the former) on days but had to transfer to nights; as a result a lot of the units were chopped from the classroom and put to the students to study and seek further assistance from the staff is needed.

Evenings require self-control and drive as without it you'll have a chuck of stuff not covered.

 

[telectrix]

Hi guys, this is my first post here.

So I'm 31 years old. Been in the same dead end job for 8 years now, which pays the bills and can go out once a week but little else really - and no real chance of progression. For the last few years I've been trying to figure out the best way to become a fully qualified electrician - I know a few people in the industry already, so may have an advantage of getting someone to take me on once I get qualified to the point where I need hands-on experience.

I'd looked at countless "training providers", promising to have me fully qualified in under a year, but they all appeared to be not far off scams. The ones I rang were very sales-pitchy and wanted to speak about my aspirations in life and convince my girlfriend to get on board via zoom meetings (all seemed fishy to me).

A friend of mine is a plumber, and was late into the trade in his early 20s, but went on evening courses at his local college and eventually got himself qualified and is now working on building sites. I'd like to do the same thing, but in the electrical trade.

So I've began the application process for an evening course at my local college - Level 2 C&G 2365 Electrical Installation. I understand it should take me about 9 months.

I would just like to know if anyone else on here has gone through the same (or similar) route, training to become an electrician whilst still working, and how their experience was and if they have any advice for me. Searching the internet yields no definitive process I need to take so whilst I feel somewhat informed I still feel like I'm winging it a bit.

Thanks for reading

Ray

your approach is the correct one.level 2 , then level 3. get a job as a sparks' mate for practical experience, complete a portfolio for NVQ3. once there, just AM2 and you'll be a qualified electrician, not a short course boil- in -the- bag domestic installer.

 

[Lister1987]

I did my level 2 on the daytime around my office work and initially started level 3 (8202-30, not 2365 as funding for that latter was moved to the former) on days but had to transfer to nights; as a result a lot of the units were chopped from the classroom and put to the students to study and seek further assistance from the staff is needed.

Evenings require self-control and drive as without it you'll have a chuck of stuff not covered.

Meant to add, if you can get onto an apprenticeship then you'd be in s better place overall as that portfolio and AM2S are done as part of it, saving some money.

If you're unable to take a cut in income them do that level 2 first and then try and flip to an apprenticeship, as you would then bypass the first Apprentice year and that lower wage and start as a Year 2 Apprentice on NMW for your age and not an apprentice wage.

 

[J00spark]

Ray

I'm 48, just finished 2365 Level 2 as a night course. I start Level 3 8202 in September. Best move I've ever made! Like you, I've been in the same job for 8 years and ready for a change. Our course was 3 nights a week 6-9pm. Some nights you'll want to chin it off; just eat, down some coffee and go in - don't miss any lessons. I had to, due to work sometimes, but kept it to a minimum. 22 of us started the course and 11 finished. Those 11, unsurprisingly, were the regulars.

I have done a complete 180. My job is not practical at all. As a result I was a bit slower on the practical side and better at the classroom. But I soon picked it up. For home study I used:

1. Course material
2. Youtube channels like GSH Electrical, and others that were purely maths
3. Exam simulators like Electrical Courses UK, Swindon Massive, and -----------
4. SWA cable to practice making it off at home

I've now got my CSCS card, IPAF 3a and 3b coming up, already had PTS card (not essential) , some tools, PPE, ECS card in August, and will start agency work once I get out of my current job.

Good Luck!

 

[testerjb862]

Ray

I'm 48, just finished 2365 Level 2 as a night course. I start Level 3 8202 in September. Best move I've ever made! Like you, I've been in the same job for 8 years and ready for a change. Our course was 3 nights a week 6-9pm. Some nights you'll want to chin it off; just eat, down some coffee and go in - don't miss any lessons. I had to, due to work sometimes, but kept it to a minimum. 22 of us started the course and 11 finished. Those 11, unsurprisingly, were the regulars.

I have done a complete 180. My job is not practical at all. As a result I was a bit slower on the practical side and better at the classroom. But I soon picked it up. For home study I used:

1. Course material
2. Youtube channels like GSH Electrical, and others that were purely maths
3. Exam simulators like Electrical Courses UK, Swindon Massive, and -----------
4. SWA cable to practice making it off at home

I've now got my CSCS card, IPAF 3a and 3b coming up, already had PTS card (not essential) , some tools, PPE, ECS card in August, and will start agency work once I get out of my current job.

Good Luck!

Hi Ray,

How did you find the night course?

Its exactly what I am looking for but struggling to find anything in my local area as my searches just bring up the standard paid courses ?

Thanks

 

[Lister1987]

Hi Ray,

How did you find the night course?

Its exactly what I am looking for but struggling to find anything in my local area as my searches just bring up the standard paid courses ?

Thanks

Try Heart of Worcester College.

Diploma in Electrical Installation, Level 2 | Heart of Worcestershire College

We offer an extensive range of Engineering courses including: Electrical Installation, Computer Aided Design, Mechanics, Manufacturing and many more..

www.howcollege.ac.uk

 

[J00spark]

Hi Ray,

How did you find the night course?

Its exactly what I am looking for but struggling to find anything in my local area as my searches just bring up the standard paid courses ?

Thanks

Sorry bud just seen this. I just applied to local college. Paid 1400 for Level 2, same for Level 3. Some courses are free, some are nearly double.

 

[Lister1987]

Sorry bud just seen this. I just applied to local college. Paid 1400 for Level 2, same for Level 3. Some courses are free, some are nearly double.

In theory the level 3 should be free given the recent funding changes.

 

[swaRRR]

Meant to add, if you can get onto an apprenticeship then you'd be in s better place overall as that portfolio and AM2S are done as part of it, saving some money.

Hmm would have to debate those maths Lister. It actually still works out more costly to do an apprenticeship especially if your firm starts you on minimum wage for the first year.

I ditched my apprenticeship and got a job as an improver and literally doubled my wages over night. It means i'm actually making 20 grand a year more which more than covers the training;

18th Edition - £300
T+I 2391 - £900
NVQ3 - £1500
AM2 - £950

Don't need to bother with the Level 2/3 since they don't really teach you anything of practical use. Granted i've been in construction my whole life so not a fresh starter like OP might be, but still.

OP, what sector are you currently in? If you're in construction/trades/anything handy like that then i'd become au fait with electrics as much as you can, then just lie on your CV and say you've been taking on basic non-notifiable work for years. Get your 18th edition and you could walk straight into a job on £14/15/hr.