Confused - ECS card

lockstock · Oct 10, 2012

Confused !

And I’m hoping someone can throw some light on the situ.

I’m going to apply for a ECS card.
My qualifications are: C&G 2360 (1&2) in 2003 , C&G 2391 in 2009 and 17[SUP]th[/SUP] Ed.

ELECSA (I’m part P member) have informed me that 2360 + 17[SUP]th[/SUP] Ed are equivalent to the NVQ 3 required by the ECS people.

However the young guy I spoke to at ECS, was adamant that I had to have the NVQ 3, (informing me with a bunch of tel no.s for suppliers of the course !).

Not wishing to labour the point, I thought I’d see if any of you guys could throw some light on the situation? I.E ‘Who’s correct’ ?

I’ve had a read around, but can’t seem to find anything that specifically states this as a fact, you know, something that I could physically show him, or staple to the enrolment/application form.
I am aware that I’ll have to sit a cscs H&S test and do a AM2 exam (I think), but these can be sorted relatively quickly, where-as the NVQ3, takes plenty of time and money, both I’m short of (aren’t we all?) Plus getting a little fed up with jumping through hoops and coughing up for Red tape (oh, don’t get me, started……)

Thanks in advance

High Tower · Nov 7, 2012

Ok can we keep the tone civil, the language clean and the offensive comments to nil!, there are easier ways of making a point other than being abusive!.

Monks · Nov 7, 2012

At the risk of causing WWIII on this thread, I'll mention that I'm sure I read before that for those without an NVQ it is possible to obtain a 'provisional' electrician grading by completing the AM2 so long as the candidate has both parts of the 2330/2360 and previous experience. I personally don't know anybody who has this grading, but I'm sure it is listed on the JIB site (I could be wrong, though). Additionally, this grading makes sense considering that it will soon be impossible to attain the NVQ L3 as it is being scrapped.

In my experience, I have found that the JIB card is worth the money as a lot of sites and agencies ask for it as they know exactly what it means, and it is a quick and easy way to demonstrate your experience (even as an apprentice/ trainee I found my card very handy). That said, and in the interests of balance, I do know of some people who aren't 'JIB qualified' who have normal CSCS cards not affiliated with the JIB/ECS and who have got on sites with them and performed normal duties expected of a qualified spark. The holding of a JIB card isn't law, after all.

Let the hate begin...

Deleted member 26818 · Nov 7, 2012

Here's how I see it:
Get a CSCS card, you'll be allowed on site, and they may allow you to undertake electrical work.
Get an ECS card, you'll be allowed on site and they will allow you to undertake electrical work, no ifs buts or maybes.
Seems to me to be a no brainer.