Learning a trade

Jacko_amz

Hi everyone,

Just looking for some advice/experience on behalf of my OH. He is 35 and wanting to get out of his dead end job and learn a trade specifically plumbing.

Trouble is he left school with no GCSES or ALevels. Could any one advise how he would go about this?

We have looked at the local college website in which they have some plumbing courses but you need qualifications first. Am i right in thinking theres something called an access course?

It would be great to hear from someone who's learnt something new and changed there career!

Thank you xx

[Deleted User]

Would you be better trying to follow last year's Apprentice winner, Joseph Valente? (Think that was his name )

He was in this industry I'm sure, did good, came from similar path

missbiggles1

Access courses are irrelevant for trade courses and qualifications are likely to be waived for mature students.

He could also look at adult apprenticeships. http://www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk/adult-apprenticeships/

pigpen

access courses are for university.

He would start with level one course which is GCSE level and a 1 year course.. 14-16 hours a week and he would probably be encouraged to do the maths and english skills to GCSE level too.

My OH (34) has just finished the level 1 in joinery, he has a degree in computer engineering and is strolling up a new path because IT work is non-existent.

Jagraf

I would personally suggest maths and english gcse / functional skills level 2, plus then go up the levels in his specific trade (pigpen I think it's level 2 that is equivalent to gcse x).

pigpen

Jagraf wrote: »

I would personally suggest maths and english gcse / functional skills level 2, plus then go up the levels in his specific trade (pigpen I think it's level 2 that is equivalent to gcse x).

Level 1 is up to grade D GCSE.. Level 2 is A-C at GCSE..

Usually if you have english & maths at grade C or above you can skip the level 1, trade courses though the level one is where they teach the vital aspects you need to complete the rest so you should start with level one.

missbiggles1

pigpen wrote: »

Level 1 is up to grade D GCSE.. Level 2 is A-C at GCSE..

Usually if you have english & maths at grade C or above you can skip the level 1, trade courses though the level one is where they teach the vital aspects you need to complete the rest so you should start with level one.

IME (retired FE lecturer) hardly any mature students do a level 1 course for trade training neither to they study full time. Most people in this situation go straight on to level 2 and do it part time as so much of the full time course is padded out by things like basic skills.

pigpen

missbiggles1 wrote: »

IME (retired FE lecturer) hardly any mature students do a level 1 course for trade training neither to they study full time. Most people in this situation go straight on to level 2 and do it part time as so much of the full time course is padded out by things like basic skills.

Well according to my OH's tutor they are rarely allowed to enrol on level 2 until level 1 is completed because they don't want to waste time doing basic stuff they learn at level one with a level 2 class.

They are never more than 2 days a week either, that is not full time.. even for school leavers it is only an extra 2-3 hours a week.

My OH for example doing joinery.. Class of 30, 19+ students.. under 19's have their own class.

Level one 14 hours a week for 1 year.. covered the joints and use of machinery and safety stuff (we have a bathroom cabinet and a small table this year).. they did a few basic projects and level 2, also 1 year, they use these skills to make a door and other bits.. there is no option to do a more 'full time' course this is all they have.

My son doing level 3 (art and design) does 2.5 days a week which includes 3 hours of english because they keep insisting he redoes it for some reason.

missbiggles1

pigpen wrote: »

Well according to my OH's tutor they are rarely allowed to enrol on level 2 until level 1 is completed because they don't want to waste time doing basic stuff they learn at level one with a level 2 class.

They are never more than 2 days a week either, that is not full time.. even for school leavers it is only an extra 2-3 hours a week.

My OH for example doing joinery.. Class of 30, 19+ students.. under 19's have their own class.

Level one 14 hours a week for 1 year.. covered the joints and use of machinery and safety stuff (we have a bathroom cabinet and a small table this year).. they did a few basic projects and level 2, also 1 year, they use these skills to make a door and other bits.. there is no option to do a more 'full time' course this is all they have.

My son doing level 3 (art and design) does 2.5 days a week which includes 3 hours of english because they keep insisting he redoes it for some reason.

Some colleges make ridiculous rules just so that they can get another year's funding from students, not because it's best. At my last college, the entry qualifications for Level 2 Carpentry are -

"The course is accessible to all. You will require a positive attitude and a willingness to work hard. You may have achieved the Foundation Level Qualification; Four GCSEs Grade C or above to include Maths and English and/or adequate on-site experience is expected. A good track record of attendance and motivation is essential along with a demonstration of acceptable hand skills and knowledge especially in the area of health and safety."

You also get exactly the same qualification if you did it full or part time.

pigpen

It says the same here but they wouldn't let him enrol for level 2 because they don't teach the basic stuff for that.. there is definitely no Ft option though .. they are only 1 year anyway.. even the level 3 is only 1 year... not sure how many hours a week that is but I know it isn't full time because they say many of their level 3 students work 3-4 days and are at college the rest of the time and they are shut weekends.

I can see why they say to do level one first, it does make sense for a trade where the basic elements are standardised. For level 2 they have to choose site or bench work (imagining OH on a building site is pretty hilarious.. )

I just checked..

level 3 is 15 hours .. 1 day, 2 evenings for 40 weeks..

Level 2 states.. *Students must have completed Level 1 Carpentry & Joinery.* 19 hours for under 19 and 14 for over 19.

missbiggles1

pigpen wrote: »

It says the same here but they wouldn't let him enrol for level 2 because they don't teach the basic stuff for that.. there is definitely no Ft option though .. they are only 1 year anyway.. even the level 3 is only 1 year... not sure how many hours a week that is but I know it isn't full time because they say many of their level 3 students work 3-4 days and are at college the rest of the time and they are shut weekends.

I can see why they say to do level one first, it does make sense for a trade where the basic elements are standardised. For level 2 they have to choose site or bench work (imagining OH on a building site is pretty hilarious.. )

I just checked..

level 3 is 15 hours .. 1 day, 2 evenings for 40 weeks..

Level 2 states.. *Students must have completed Level 1 Carpentry & Joinery.* 19 hours for under 19 and 14 for over 19.

When I last worked in FE, full time courses were 2.5 days a week, based on a 9 - 4 day.