training as an electrican/returning to college

Princess_Jane

My fella is seriously considering going back to college with a view to re-training as an electrician and I have a few questions.

Our local college offers an Electrotechnical level 2 C&G over two years so he could still work full time as a taxi driver.

Does anyone working in the industry know if this is the most suitable qualification to start out with?

Would any funding be available for this level of qualification? C&G offers grants which he's going to apply for. Also, he's dyslexic, so I'm wondering if would allow him to access any additional funding.

I'm going to have a good scan through the grants thread, BTW, I'm not being lazy!

He's 31 and completed a BTEC First Diploma in National Engineering and the first year of National Certificate when he was 17 - I don't know if this would have any relevance to what he could apply for.

He's going to ring the college and have a good chat with them but wanted some impartial advice first.

* just read the grants thread and realised it's not about educational grants

inmypocketnottheirs

In order to work as a domestic electrician your OH would be best advised to get a Part P Certificate, City & Guilds 2382 (17th Edition BS7671) 2392 Certificate in Fundamental Testing and Initial Verification. If he then wants to progress into inspection and testing the C&G2391 would be required. For good measure a 2377 Portable Appliance Testing would be worthwhile.

Has he enrolled at college yet? They start in September?

Princess_Jane

It's going to be for next Sep, unless any of the courses start in Jan.

This will give us a chance to save some cash up as I am doing a night-time college course from Jan so spare funds mostly devoted to that.

Princess_Jane

Sorry to sound thick but are those two separate qualifications you mention in your first sentence or one with a really long title?!

Actually, I make no apologies for knowing nowt about electrical engineering!

I am merely the caring partner carrying out research - thank you v much for your knowledge in this specialist area.

[Deleted User]

Must say I don't know anything about becoming an electrition, but the following websites might be usefull for funding, courses available etc:
http://www.learndirect.co.uk/
http://www.lsc.gov.uk/
http://www.educationuk.org/pls/hot_bc/page_pls_all_homepage
http://www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk/index.aspx
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/QualificationsExplained/index.htm

I hope they are of some use - sorry if they are not.

inmypocketnottheirs

Princess_Jane wrote: »

Sorry to sound thick but are those two separate qualifications you mention in your first sentence or one with a really long title?!

Actually, I make no apologies for knowing nowt about electrical engineering!

I am merely the caring partner carrying out research - thank you v much for your knowledge in this specialist area.

Sorry! My fault

All separate quals:

Part P
C&G2382 17th Edition Wiring Regulations, BS7671
C&G2392 Certificate in Fundamental Inspection & Testing & Initial Verification
C&G2391 Certificate Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations
C&G 2377 Portable Appliance Testing

These are all the quals needed to get a job as a domestic electrician. In order to get working Part P, 2382 & 2392 would be a fantastic head start.

Princess_Jane

Thanks.

However, there's no way we could afford to do all those - most courses of this kind seem to be £500 a pop and it would mean him missing too much time off work.

Hey ho, back to the drawing board.

Thanks for the advice.

EDIT - it's more like £250 a pop, after some additional research.

inmypocketnottheirs

Princess_Jane wrote: »

Thanks.

However, there's no way we could afford to do all those - most courses of this kind seem to be £500 a pop and it would mean him missing too much time off work.

Hey ho, back to the drawing board.

Thanks for the advice.

Another way would be a private training provider with home study. He would be able to get to Part P level within a couple of hundred hours, say 6 months if studying 8 hours a week, plus a couple of weeks hands on in the training centre? Would be sufficient quals to get a job as an electricians mate. Another hundred hours and another week to get the 2382/2392 and be employable as an electrician.

It is doable if he has the drive, determination and commitment.

ohreally

Apart from the qualification aspect, my employer won't start an electrician unless they have completed a formal recognised apprenticeship and subsequently completed an HNC in electrical engineering plus inspection and testing and hold 17th edition cert.

Princess_Jane

We could look into that as well, thanks.

I don't know how suitable he'd be for home study with his dyslexia.

He'd been left college a long time when we got together, so I'm not sure how badly it affects him in terms of reading and writing - not a lot of either in taxi driving, other than the A-Z or sat nav!

I know he was able to sit exams at college but sometimes had the papers read out to him and was given more time with his answers.

Also, I don't know if dyslexia would rule him out of this career as a whole. I assume the practical side of things would be more important...?

Princess_Jane

ohreally wrote: »

Apart from the qualification aspect, my employer won't start an electrician unless they have completed a formal recognised apprenticeship and subsequently completed an HNC in electrical engineering plus inspection and testing and hold 17th edition cert.

Thanks - my brother did an engineering apprenticeship age 17 and the wages were very low. I'm assuming this is still the case and am not sure how we'd work round this as he'd still have rent/bills to split with me...I guess he could work nights but it's a tough call - would anyone take on a 31-year-old apprentice?