NIC approved contractor assessment

[GLENNSPARK]

Just had assessment:

passed.

 

[Engineer54]

nah don't agree

Unfortunately it's the truth, whether you agree or disagree!!

 

[MDJ]

Unfortunately it's the truth, whether you agree or disagree!!

How do you know that Fella? you have been out of the country for years haven't you? look there's no doubt they have made it easier to become approved than years ago, but insurance and being a spark with a cheque book won't get you straight into it, anyhow that's my view from experience being a QS with them for close to 20 years now I suppose.

 

[Engineer54]

How do you know that Fella? you have been out of the country for years haven't you? look there's no doubt they have made it easier to become approved than years ago, but insurance and being a spark with a cheque book won't get you straight into it, anyhow that's my view from experience being a QS with them for close to 20 years now I suppose.

Being out of the country doesn't mean i'm deaf, dumb and blind, and retained no contacts in the UK and Europe!!

You know and i know, that when in the distant past being assessed as an Approved Contractor, you had to jump through the loops to gain that status. When it first came in, the company needed to have been trading for min 3 years, that's changed to 1 year or something daft now. Installation assessments needed to cover a varied scope of works, not 5 of the same, (so to speak) and so on and so on!!

You even admit that the NICEIC have made it easier to become approved than years ago, so what's the idea behind that then?? And we all know what AC QS's are allowed to get away with, when signing off others work!! Which when you think about it, makes a mockery of the whole thing!!

I have the greatest respect for Glennspark and how he emerged as a fully qualified electrician through his own will and determination. But would he have been able, to have even applied to become AP at this stage/point in his working career 20 /25 years ago?? Alas i think not!!

Anyway, so what else would a qualified spark need, ....other than the 5 jobs to show, the relevant insurances and a Cheque book?? And no, i'm not talking about electrical trainee's here, but i can see that being acceptable in the not too distant future. ...lol!!

Money has become far more important to the NICEIC and other such company's, than qualifications, ability, experience, or even safety. And that's where the whole approved contractor systems falls down on it's head. Things Ain't what they used to be, it's as simple and as truthful as that!!

 

[MDJ]

I would not be allowed to sign off another companies works fella, if I did that I would be removed from the roll, some of what you say may indeed have merit, but not everything you say is correct IMO, it is exactly the same now regarding inspections and adhering to the rules of the roll as it was 20 years ago, however they have dropped the time from 2 years to one year unless you are registered as a DI with them then it is 6 months, obviously they have to compete with other schemes but they still have much higher standards than others and my engineer who visits me every year is no soft touch regarding quality of works and ensuring all is done right, but as always I respect your views and know we will get nowhere continuing this debate, you have your views I have 20 years experience dealing with them, we won't ever agree for sure.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I fully understand that the criteria will have changed from lets say 20 years ago but i can tell you all now that this chap who came round was much more on the ball than the previous assessors....not to take any credit away from them of course but the criteria is definately higher...than lets say a part P assessment....i have had both now...so can make fair comparisons...

this guy was into more in depth of what I had been doing/installing...and wanted to see the full range of tests....
not just a quick IR & loop....as is the case on most part P assessments...

they go more into selection & erection as well (hence the reason they specify GN1 on the assessment)...

I can understand peoples views on this....and as someone who respects both Eng & Mike i would not disagree with either of them....

Thing is i wanted back into that market....as well as getting other local authority work.....and whether we like it or not....local authoritys tend to rub shoulders with one particular organisation...

there, i have tried to be diplomatic about it and as i am sure most know in here i tend to struggle with the concept so...

 

[Engineer54]

I would not be allowed to sign off another companies works fella, if I did that I would be removed from the roll, some of what you say may indeed have merit, but not everything you say is correct IMO, it is exactly the same now regarding inspections and adhering to the rules of the roll as it was 20 years ago, however they have dropped the time from 2 years to one year unless you are registered as a DI with them then it is 6 months, obviously they have to compete with other schemes but they still have much higher standards than others and my engineer who visits me every year is no soft touch regarding quality of works and ensuring all is done right, but as always I respect your views and know we will get nowhere continuing this debate, you have your views I have 20 years experience dealing with them, we won't ever agree for sure.

Fair enough MDJ, but i wasn't talking about signing off another company's work, far from it. I was talking about a company's designated QS signing off numerous company electricians work.
So now it can be down to trading for 6 months, that just about wraps it all up then ...lol!!

Perhaps all the photo's and tales we see about NIC AC's are fabricated, i really don't know, but it certainly opens eyes and makes you wonder what's going on if they aren't!!

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Fair enough MDJ, but i wasn't talking about signing off another company's work, far from it. I was talking about a company's designated QS signing off numerous company electricians work.
So now it can be down to trading for 6 months, that just about wraps it all up then ...lol!!

Perhaps all the photo's and tales we see about NIC AC's are fabricated, i really don't know, but it certainly opens eyes and makes you wonder what's going on if they aren't!!

2 years eng mate...

 

[Brightspark2]

I'm surprised they actually carried out an assessment. The usual trick is tell you they notified you of an appt by post which never got entered onto their system...they then pretend to turn up without you being aware of any such date and then proceed with a surcharge of around £200 for the missed appt.

That happened to us twice last year!!...

Just turned up and then tried to Bill us...

Once received a letter on the same day that the appointment was meant to be, picked the post up and not long after he arrived...unbelievable...

 

[GLENNSPARK]

That happened to us twice last year!!...

Just turned up and then tried to Bill us...

Once received a letter on the same day that the appointment was meant to be, picked the post up and not long after he arrived...unbelievable...

well...i`m not being funny guys...but i wont be `got` like that...

no one tries pulling my pants down like that...

 

[Badged01]

....no one tries pulling my pants down like that...

Thats not what she said ......

 

[Engineer54]

2 years eng mate...

Only going by MDJ's post comments Glenn...

however they have dropped the time from 2 years to one year unless you are registered as a DI with them then it is 6 months,

Things have changed dramatically from the inception of the AC schemes, they bare little resemblance to what's being bandied about now. Random Inspections was once part and parcel that any AC company could be subjected too, ...bet they don't do that anymore either....

 

[MDJ]

I will apologise Glen if I am wrong, I was sure it was changed to a year m8

 

[ipf]

There are positives and negatives for both sides. As in my previous post, I can only speak from being involved with NIC for 25 years or so. It doesn't matter what people put forward in the pros and cons, the fact is, that the NIC is still the most recognised and respected of the organisations involved and, as such, becoming an AC/QS or whatever, still counts for a great deal.
Not as much as it used to do, that's my point.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Only going by MDJ's post comments Glenn...



Things have changed dramatically from the inception of the AC schemes, they bare little resemblance to what's being bandied about now. Random Inspections was once part and parcel that any AC company could be subjected too, ...bet they don't do that anymore either....

well...
last words out of his mouth were :...it`l be probably me next year who assesses you...so....

 

[GLENNSPARK]

There are positives and negatives for both sides. As in my previous post, I can only speak from being involved with NIC for 25 years or so. It doesn't matter what people put forward in the pros and cons, the fact is, that the NIC is still the most recognised and respected of the organisations involved and, as such, becoming an AC/QS or whatever, still counts for a great deal.
Not as much as it used to do, that's my point.

well....for a start i wont backtrack on previous comments i have slung about where the NIC is concerned.....

but lets face it....they seem to be the only ones who you hear from....

even if TCs voice can be grating at times at these trade shows....

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I will apologise Glen if I am wrong, I was sure it was changed to a year m8

well....
all i can say mike is he was keen to know how long i had been in the trade for....

so i takes my que from that...

 

[richy3333]

Fair enough MDJ, but i wasn't talking about signing off another company's work, far from it. I was talking about a company's designated QS signing off numerous company electricians work.
So now it can be down to trading for 6 months, that just about wraps it all up then ...lol!!

Perhaps all the photo's and tales we see about NIC AC's are fabricated, i really don't know, but it certainly opens eyes and makes you wonder what's going on if they aren't!!

Shucks, I thought that everything on the interweb and this forum was true?!

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Shucks, I thought that everything on the interweb and this forum was true?!

Only if Rebek-ke-kek-kek-ahhhh Brooks issued it.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

I bet you taught that inspector a think or two eh Glenn?

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I bet you taught that inspector a think or two eh Glenn?

well...
funnily enough after the first install we went to he seemed to just want to look at the other stuff....what i mean is he didn`t seem to want to see me do any testing on the other 4 venues....as he said he was happy i could test and was just more interested in the actual installation methods etc...

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I bet you taught that inspector a think or two eh Glenn?

we were talking about the content of the cylabus at colleges.....

the lack of lecturing on exported/extended PME....

and the way one of the lecturers told the class i was in that an RCD was a way to get round dodgy Zs....

hmm......

 

[telectrix]

now that you're approved, i hope you are still talking to me. LOL. :21:

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Tel

{ * tumbleweeds* }

 

[GLENNSPARK]

now that you're approved, i hope you are still talking to me. LOL. :21:

well...the thought of getting `all superior` crossed my mind Tel....lol....

 

[Engineer54]

well...
last words out of his mouth were :...it`l be probably me next year who assesses you...so....

Actually meant random inspections during the course of the year!! lol!!


I think it's pretty clear that i don't have much time for any of these money making parasites that provide little to nothing in the way of actual services. It's more of a buying in to a ''Must Have'' persona that these companies have generated in local councils and other influential bodies along with insurance companies etc!!


Why a fully indemnified and fully qualified electrical contracting company should actually need/require the likes of NICEIC or other similar outfits, to enable them to compete or submit quotes/prices for contract work etc, seems actually very wrong to me!!

 

[Knobhead]

As per usual, instead of congratulating Glenn the topic has degenerated in to a mud slinging match.

Again congratulations Glenn, I know how much you put in to the assessment.

 

[Engineer54]

As per usual, instead of congratulating Glenn the topic has degenerated in to a mud slinging match.

Again congratulations Glenn, I know how much you put in to the assessment.

Can't see where any mud slinging has gone on in the thread, and there's been plenty of congratulations afforded to Glenn.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Actually meant random inspections during the course of the year!! lol!!


I think it's pretty clear that i don't have much time for any of these money making parasites that provide little to nothing in the way of actual services. It's more of a buying in to a ''Must Have'' persona that these companies have generated in local councils and other influential bodies along with insurance companies etc!!


Why a fully indemnified and fully qualified electrical contracting company should actually need/require the likes of NICEIC or other similar outfits, to enable them to compete or submit quotes/prices for contract work etc, seems actually very wrong to me!!

well...the manager in the markets was saying stuff like `approved contractor is the only insurance we have` and `it means we can be sure it wont be cowboys carrying out the works....as we have had it in the past`...

stuff like that...

- - - Updated - - -

As per usual, instead of congratulating Glenn the topic has degenerated in to a mud slinging match.

Again congratulations Glenn, I know how much you put in to the assessment.

your in a good mood Tony...

you must have got the stuff i emailed you then....

 

[Knobhead]

your in a good mood Tony...

you must have got the stuff i emailed you then....

thanks for them Glenn, you could have loaded them on my data stick.

 

[Engineer54]

well...the manager in the markets was saying stuff like `approved contractor is the only insurance we have` and `it means we can be sure it wont be cowboys carrying out the works....as we have had it in the past`...

stuff like that...

QUOTE]


Just goes to show the nonsense these councils and the like have been sold by these bodies!!
Every trading electrical contracting company in the UK/Europe requires the appropriate insurances to be in place. All these end users need do, is request copies of said indemnities as proof of compliance!!

I wonder if this markets manager has ever seen/received a penny from the likes of NICEIC in the way of compensation, I doubt it?? 9 times out of 10, it will be the electrical contractors insurance that will be doing any paying out!!