2396- Is it worth doing?

[bmines67]

Hi everyone, i'm just after a bit of advice regarding the 2396 exam. I've got my NVQ3, 17th edition, PAT, 2391-10 and am NICEIC Approved Contractor. Its been a couple of years now since i've done any courses and i'm starting to feel the itch again. Am i right to assume the 2396 is the logical next step for me? Or is there anything else you would recommend?

Most of my work is domestic, light commercial and EICR's and i realise i dont really need the design course but i believe in trying to always learn and better yourself.

I'm based in Northern Ireland (Co. Armagh) so i would prefer a local college part time course. Does anyone know of anywhere in Northern Ireland that offers this? Also what would be the going rate for fees. Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[ImpededLoop]

In one word, Yes!

The course includes a project which takes around 100 hours of personal time, so make sure you factor that in.

 

[bmines67]

I'm aware there is a project and i should be able to get some time for it. What is involved in the project? Will my mostly domestic experience be a problem for me completing it?

 

[ImpededLoop]

The project is normally for a medium sized retail unit or similar. Mine was for a catalogue shop with the showroom downstairs with the back and 1st floor being store areas.

We had 6 days tuition on our course which was about right. The tuition should set you up for the exam and project.

 

[Andy78]

I'm aware there is a project and i should be able to get some time for it. What is involved in the project? Will my mostly domestic experience be a problem for me completing it?

It's a very worthwhile course where you will learn lots with the right tutor. Don't underestimate the time needed for the project though as it will require lots of your attention and nearly all your spare time for a good while. Those spreadsheets can drive you nuts.

Mostly domestic experience should not really be a hindrance as long as you are quite aware of all the common methods of containment, installation, equipment selection, control methods, distribution arrangements etc.

I did my course through a college night class at 3 hours a night over 12 weeks which worked for me. Gave the session a week to sink in as did the 2 hours or so of homework questions we got every week.

 

[bmines67]

I did my course through a college night class at 3 hours a night over 12 weeks which worked for me. Gave the session a week to sink in as did the 2 hours or so of homework questions we got every week.

I really like the idea of doing it this way rather than a 5 or 6 day intensive course. Does anyone know of anywhere in N.I. that offers it. If not, does anyone who has done the intensive course have any opinions on that route?

I do have a good grasp of equipment, being self-employed you have to try your best to keep up and keep competitive.

 

[Risteard]

I'm based in Northern Ireland (Co. Armagh) so i would prefer a local college part time course. Does anyone know of anywhere in Northern Ireland that offers this? Also what would be the going rate for fees. Any opinions would be appreciated.

Not that I'm aware of. When I did the predecessor course to the 2396, which was the 2391-20 (which was Level 3 rather than Level 4) I traveled to England to do the course.

 

[bmines67]

Not that I'm aware of. When I did the predecessor course to the 2396, which was the 2391-20 (which was Level 3 rather than Level 4) I traveled to England to do the course.

That's what i was afraid of, i don't really want to have to travel to England to do it. I could just about squeeze some in some time in the evenings but i'd never be able to do a week away, just too busy. I assume it was an intensive type course you did?

 

[Risteard]

That's what i was afraid of, i don't really want to have to travel to England to do it. I could just about squeeze some in some time in the evenings but i'd never be able to do a week away, just too busy. I assume it was an intensive type course you did?

Indeed it was. I think it was four days. Then I went back a few weeks later for the exam. And sent my project. I did the course through Unite union's preferred training provider in Kent.

It's a very worthwhile course though.

 

[DuaneMHunt1976]

Im guessing that being Level 4 they will need say 10 people to make the course worth wile running. So it is Limited when and where you can do it. I think you will have to GO to WERE it is being done, unless there is a ONLINE version (Maybe in Scotland were there is more remote areas.) Or maybe talk to a college about just doing the Exam and you teach yourself. They tell you how much a RE-TAKE would cost when you are doing exams so if some guy wants to take the exam and pay for it out of his own pocket,i would take the money if i was a college!.
I think you will have to do it at one of the big FE Colleges like ABLE SKILLS/Trade Skills 4u but DCET has a TIME and Place for a course. The link below I THINK has examples of the Exam (near the bottem of the page)
Design of Electrical Installations 2396 Training Course

As with all courses i would always suggest Reading up on what the COURSE WANTS (sadly teaching a subject and teaching you to pass a exam seem to be different things)
The only Book i know on this is "Design and Verification of Electrical INstallations" By Brian Scaddan for C&2396
Ive read all his little books (not 100% keen on them) and found some little errors (what i found dam upsetting when the book is the 4th edition or more, i would expect any errors out of gone by then!)
Other thing i would suggest is looking online (Ebay or Google) to find any one else who has done the course for their notes to give you a EDGE when doing any course, dosnt harm giving yourself a running start.


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I would love to do C&G2396, for me it would be the challange (as you can see my spelling sucks, Dyslexic) so to do a subject at Level 4, well i would be chuffed, but i am too scared to even look at it to tell the truth (spend on a Course and fail scares me a lot)

 

[DuaneMHunt1976]

City and Guilds 2396-01 Online Course - 2396-01 Design and Verification Online Course

but i will sugest asking if any one else has been with this Company before handing over Cash, all the normal checks .. VAT Reg check the web site with Who Is etc etc... but would mean you wouldnt have to leave NI

 

[ImpededLoop]

I found that some of the questions asked in class and the discussions that followed were one of the best parts of the course. If you do the course by distance learning, you won't have the interaction that a classroom based course provides.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Indeed it was. I think it was four days. Then I went back a few weeks later for the exam. And sent my project. I did the course through Unite union's preferred training provider in Kent.

It's a very worthwhile course though.

I've been thinking of doing the 2396. Do you know the name of the training provider in kent?

 

[Risteard]

I've been thinking of doing the 2396. Do you know the name of the training provider in kent?

Sure do. They are called Technical Training Solutions, and are based in Rochester.

 

[bmines67]

Thanks guys for the advice, i think i'll look into it a wee bit more. I'd prefer a 1 evening per week type course so i might just phone all the local colleges. If not i might have to go to england.

Just out of interest, anyone who has done the 2396, how does it compare to the 2391-10 in terms of difficulty? While doing the 2391 i put quite a lot of work in but found it easy enough. Also does anyone know the pass rate for the 2396?

 

[Andy78]

The chief examiner's report for the written exam element can be found here. The pass rates for the last few exams are at the bottom of the document.
http://cdn.cityandguilds.com/Produc...s/2396_Chief_Examiners_Report_Mar_2015_v1.pdf

 

[Farmelectrics]

its agood course i done mine in liverpool at in phase training the instructor was very good and helpefull , but as said the project takes forever to complete but im a much more knowledgable electrician having done it.