TradesCollege.org electrical training

[Ealdor-Bana]

Hello i had an interview with a trade college for renewable energy and i have C&G qualifications in domestic electrical installation. (Tradescollage.org which is also tradescollage.co.uk )
I’m new to doing trade colleges and dont know if these places are scams as they all talk about NVQ qualifications instead of C&G which is strange as college offers these qualifications at a fraction of the cost.

my worry is the website has two sites. One .org & the other .co.uk. The Facebook page was only active this year and i cant find the company registration number on the site.
they claim i can have full funding but it will cost me £7k over 3 years? Seems steep for NVQ qualifications when my C&G electrical domestic was around £5k at a adult college.
oh, also a £60 register fee for joining the college.

thanks for anything help and advice.

 

[peoplearestrange]

Basically these training providers are able to log you on to the genuine G&G exam portals. The exams you take are genuine. The issue I have is that I get the impression that City & Guilds do not appear to closely scrutinise training providers that offer courses for their exams. Certainly, with 2382, the wiring regs exam, all you need to do is buy a copy of the regs, do some free practice exam questions learn how to navigate it and then book the exam at a local college for a fraction of the cost. Access Training, in my experience, did have some, ok, tutors, who were time served sparks but with some of the basic maths theory elements they were very lacking and quite often confused students who were not confident in basic manipulation of equations but then I have that with some college tutors on the 2365 dustin evening classes.

Yup just got an email back saying that the qualifications are EAL level 3's, but they can (for a small fee) be converted into C&G's equivalents. Which is a relief.

Here's the details:
EAL Level 3 Award in the Building Regulations for Electrical Installations in Dwellings (2393-10)
EAL Level 3 Award in Requirements For Electrical Installations BS 7671:2018 (2382)
LCL Awards Domestic Electrical Installer

 

[Pete999]

Yup just got an email back saying that the qualifications are EAL level 3's, but they can (for a small fee) be converted into C&G's equivalents. Which is a relief.

Here's the details:
EAL Level 3 Award in the Building Regulations for Electrical Installations in Dwellings (2393-10)
EAL Level 3 Award in Requirements For Electrical Installations BS 7671:2018 (2382)
LCL Awards Domestic Electrical Installer

A small fee con you mean

 

[kimmy1307]

Yes, my partner and I have had one of these video calls for around 2 hrs! Was very wary and stupidly gave my driver licence number and bank account details as they needed to check we could get the 3 year interest free payment option. Didn't give any money over or sign for anything so I'm hoping they can't do anything with the details we have given We thought he was a bit pushy and as you have said didn't really take much about the actual training sites just showed a bunch of video's which they could have acquired from anywhere. Have looked at the Trades4U site, for us Coventry is the nearest, and this does look like a professional place and has great reviews for the Coventry site. Will take a look at Access now as a comparison. It is all a bit daunting trying to define what you actually need by way of quaifications. Ideally my hubby just wants to stay on the domestic side but ideally looking to move towards the electric charging point but also the EICR checking, plus the ability to sign off his own work. We gather now that Elecsa is going under the NICEIC umbrella but there seems to be another organisation called Nappit?? Don't know if these folks will be best to get the right direction from, has anyone any experience with Nappit? Thanks for any direction anyone can offer

 

[DPG]

Yes, my partner and I have had one of these video calls for around 2 hrs! Was very wary and stupidly gave my driver licence number and bank account details as they needed to check we could get the 3 year interest free payment option. Didn't give any money over or sign for anything so I'm hoping they can't do anything with the details we have given We thought he was a bit pushy and as you have said didn't really take much about the actual training sites just showed a bunch of video's which they could have acquired from anywhere. Have looked at the Trades4U site, for us Coventry is the nearest, and this does look like a professional place and has great reviews for the Coventry site. Will take a look at Access now as a comparison. It is all a bit daunting trying to define what you actually need by way of quaifications. Ideally my hubby just wants to stay on the domestic side but ideally looking to move towards the electric charging point but also the EICR checking, plus the ability to sign off his own work. We gather now that Elecsa is going under the NICEIC umbrella but there seems to be another organisation called Nappit?? Don't know if these folks will be best to get the right direction from, has anyone any experience with Nappit? Thanks for any direction anyone can offer

What was their reason for wanting driving license number?

 

[Mike Johnson]

Yes, my partner and I have had one of these video calls for around 2 hrs! Was very wary and stupidly gave my driver licence number and bank account details as they needed to check we could get the 3 year interest free payment option.

You have just had your identity stolen, get in touch with your bank and tell them what has happened then confirm your discussion with the bank in writing, with the information you gave they could take a loan out in your name or a higher purchase agreement, I would also get in touch with the DVLA to get a new licence issued.

 

[kimmy1307]

What was their reason for wanting driving license number?

Well the guy said they needed to be sure we would qualify for the monthly payment plan I was caught off guard and didn't think my account number and sort code was an issue and initially didn't think my driver no was an issue either - you put it in the comparison sites - but now I'm really nervous that I've given them enough to scam me in some way ? I'm not sure whether to call my bank or the DVLA and if I'll be held responsible for anything! I didn't give any maiden names/CVC numbers or card numbers but still now I'm anxious about this whole thing. We've decided we're definitely not using these people but we're due to hear back from them again tomorrow!

 

[kimmy1307]

You have just had your identity stolen, get in touch with your bank and tell them what has happened then confirm your discussion with the bank in writing, with the information you gave they could take a loan out in your name or a higher purchase agreement, I would also get in touch with the DVLA to get a new licence issued.

OMG I was concerned this may be the case, I'm usally really careful about this stuf and didn't think the Licence number could be used for anything (I didn't give any copies of it or anything). However, with all my name address and DOB I am frightened it could be as you have predicted ?

 

[loz2754]

I have just done a 20 minute search and found tradescollege.org, tradescollege.co.uk and Trades College of the United Kingdom are all the same entity. They also have a Facebook page.

There is no way to contact them other than via a web contact form. They are not registered as a limited company. There are no online reviews.
The only reference to an address of an individual is in the privacy policy, along with a company name and number. If you look this up at Companies House, it refers to 2 companies this individual is a sole director of. There are no assets listed to this company.

Very strange indeed.

 

[Mike Johnson]

The problem is that with your Name, Address and all the other details that you have given out a credit account could be set up in your name with a company that is not very detail focused, I really do think you need to contact your bank at the very least.

 

[kimmy1307]

I have just done a 20 minute search and found tradescollege.org, tradescollege.co.uk and Trades College of the United Kingdom are all the same entity. They also have a Facebook page.

There is no way to contact them other than via a web contact form. They are not registered as a limited company. There are no online reviews.
The only reference to an address of an individual is in the privacy policy, along with a company name and number. If you look this up at Companies House, it refers to 2 companies this individual is a sole director of. There are no assets listed to this company.

Very strange indeed.

Yes, we agree, should have done more research (and usually do) but this salesman hooked in my hubby I've spoken wth my bank and they say there should be no issue as i haven't given any card information. Also called ActionFraud. They too think it's ok even with the driving licence number but I will double check that with DVLA tomorrow. The guy is expecting to get an answer tomorrow as to whether or not the hubby wants to do the course, obviously we are now not going with this crowd! At that point, they will ask for a £60 registration fee, which then they would want the card details I expect but we definitely will not be doing that. Having researched hard, it looks like the Trades4U people seem the best route, luckily, our nearest centre is the Coventry one which looks like it has had mostly glowing reviews. Plus they offer a half day taster session for just £25 so looks like that would give a good 'try before you buy' situation Just fingers crossed my identity isn't stolen from the licence slip up ?

 

[Mike Johnson]

I sincerely hope you are right, Good Luck.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Hi Marcus, I don't need any information thanks, but found it strange that you asked for this information prior to the prospective candidate signing up to your course, this rings all sorts of suspicion bells in anyone who knows about identity theft or online fraud.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Wriggle all you like, you asked for this information before the prospective candidate signed up to your course, making them think they had committed themselves, a very hard sell concept on your part.

 

[DPG]

Marcus, I still don't see why you need driving license number when someone is enquiring.

 

[David Anthony]

I decided to back away from them in the end.
*they don’t list where the training centres are... that’s really weir because other professional training centre do.
*didn’t send any documents out or email anything that was discussed over the video call and would only Concentrate on getting me to sign the agreement. (Should be given documents to show how it all works and what to expect & the training school locations)
*the website is shockingly low on basic information. If yo want to know anything it’s ”talk to the sales team”... err you could post basic FAQ on the actual website like every other normal business does.

I’m trained already in electrical but need update regs etc. I was trying to get into renewable sector but they kept talking about plumbing as the renewable sector.... ok so we all know renewable energy is not solely in plumbing and they are starting to sounding very ill informed.

what made me laugh was they said they are trade recognised but everyone I talked to in training trades said they have not heard of them.
also this company will only offer a NVQ... that will NOT get you qualified enough to earn a proper wage. (I have NVQ & C&G in electrical installation... you need C&G to get a full time job

With colleges offering City and Guilds level 2 and 3 courses (without NVQ) a lot of new "electricians" have no practical experience other than building little circuits in the college workshop, there is a need for NVQ's added by accredited training centres. Unfortunately this opens the door for all kinds dodgy scams.

 

[Mike Johnson]

You do not need to check on the financial situation of a prospective student prior to then committing to the course, and why don't you have a contact telephone number?

 

[David Anthony]

Everything about this is screaming scam.

i have a hobbie of stringing them along for fun as long as possible. I give them false information and ask loads of aukward question.

it takes a long time for them to give up.

as long as they are attempting to scam me they are not scamming someone else.

I once kept a so called investment company hooked for 3 months. They said they could double my investment in just 2 weeks. I eventually got tired of them and told him I was a scam. He really wasn’t very happy.

I also enjoy engaging with unsolicited calls of any kind. As soon as they take the bait I tell them to hold on and play music while get on with something else. Usually holds them for about 10 minutes or so.

 

[UNG]

With colleges offering City and Guilds level 2 and 3 courses (without NVQ) a lot of new "electricians" have no practical experience other than building little circuits in the college workshop, there is a need for NVQ's added by accredited training centres. Unfortunately this opens the door for all kinds dodgy scams.

This level 2 and 3 has no credibility as it seems it is applied to most courses to give them some status, all courses should be given some sort of career pathway progression so you start with the core courses and move onto the add on courses like the 2391 as you progress through your training. All the courses these training companies offer only seem to short circuit the proper training without informing them a short circuit is dangerous

The NVQ system is flawed, I know of someone who was turned down for a job because of no NVQ yet at the time she was a level 4 NVQ assessor

 

[DPG]

Kimmy1307 - did they definitely ask for your driving license details?

 

[David Anthony]

This level 2 and 3 has no credibility as it seems it is applied to most courses to give them some status, all courses should be given some sort of career pathway progression so you start with the core courses and move onto the add on courses like the 2391 as you progress through your training. All the courses these training companies offer only seem to short circuit the proper training without informing them a short circuit is dangerous

The NVQ system is flawed, I know of someone who was turned down for a job because of no NVQ yet at the time she was a level 4 NVQ assessor

I quite agree that the NVQ system is flawed, mostly by dodgy assessors. The one you spoke to misrepresented herself because there is no level 4 assessor qualification. Assessors are Level 3 after that an Level 4 Interal Quality Assurer, formerly called Internal Verifier who is responsible for ensuring that the assessment process is thoroughly performed.

 

[UNG]

I quite agree that the NVQ system is flawed, mostly by dodgy assessors. The one you spoke to misrepresented herself because there is no level 4 assessor qualification. Assessors are Level 3 after that an Level 4 Interal Quality Assurer, formerly called Internal Verifier who is responsible for ensuring that the assessment process is thoroughly performed.

TBH that was what I was told for me NVQ = not very qualified

 

[David Anthony]

You have not answered that question.

Every reputable college has a "Contact Us" link with full details. Marcus at Trades College should teach dancing instead, looking at how he skirts around simple straightforward questions

 

[SJD]

I'd guess there is no phone number given either because there would not be anyone dedicated to answering it (which wouldn't look good) or they simply don't want people ringing up who might have problems or complaints.

Requiring everyone to be phoned back means you can only talk to the organization if said organization actually want to speak to you.

 

[DPG]

I personally wouldn't sign up for a course with anyone who wasn't willing to give either a telephone number or an address. These are basics.

 

[nicebutdim]

Companies Act 2006 is the legislation that must be complied with by all businesses that operate a website and it makes specific reference about contact information that must be supplied in an easily accessible manner.

 

[nicebutdim]

Does that include the business address and telephone number, or just registration details?

I'm not going to make bold statements when I can not be certain of grey areas that might exist. Personally I tend to avoid conducting business with companies who aren't transparent about where they are located and how I might go about contacting them by phone. Contact forms are all very well, but my experience is that response times can vary from almost instantaneous to never and I don't care for such uncertainty.

I've previously refrained from commenting in this thread, but feel that it's worth adding that I'm someone who is currently in the process of trying to secure training in this industry and my comments above would apply equally to training providers as they do to any other business.

 

[David Anthony]

I'm not going to make bold statements when I can not be certain of grey areas that might exist. Personally I tend to avoid conducting business with companies who aren't transparent about where they are located and how I might go about contacting them by phone. Contact forms are all very well, but my experience is that response times can vary from almost instantaneous to never and I don't care for such uncertainty.

I've previously refrained from commenting in this thread, but feel that it's worth adding that I'm someone who is currently in the process of trying to secure training in this industry and my comments above would apply equally to training providers as they do to any other business.

I hope you find the training you need from a decent college at a fair price. There are some.

 

[nicebutdim]

I hope you find the training you need from a decent college at a fair price. There are some.

Holding out for a local college course in Spetmeber, but that hasn't worked out for two successive years. If this year makes a hattrick, I'll have to resort to a training provider in GB as I'm not getting any younger.

 

[David Anthony]

Holding out for a local college course in Spetmeber, but that hasn't worked out for two successive years. If this year makes a hattrick, I'll have to resort to a training provider in GB as I'm not getting any younger.

Don't worry about your age. I came to the UK twenty years ago. I went into a college in middle England and said I wanted to do the Regs. The lady said I need to speak to the trainer. He asked if I had 2330 parts 1 and 2.
I asked what that was and he told me so I said I didn't need that as I was an electrician. He said " You want to be an Electrician so you need etc."
I listed some of my varied experience and asked if he had done any of them. He said no so I told him he "wanted to be an electrician" and walked out.
Came to a London college asked about the Regs and she said £100 so I asked if I needed an interview and she said "no, just come on Tuesday evening "

Point I'm making is know what you want and don't let them up sell courses you don't need

 

[Mike Johnson]

XS training on here seem to get good review and have been around for some time, look in the right hand side bar, I don't know anything about them, just their presence and some previous comments.