Hello. Kind of out of touch, advice would be nice. Thanks!

[Deleted member 109422]

Hi there people.
My name is Sym, I am 50 years old this year. When I left school in 1985 I started work with a local house bashing firm, I didn't complete an apprenticeship. I learnt to wire houses fairly efficiently, mostly rewires but some new builds. The only testing I learnt during that time was to wind a megger. I hated this work as a kid, but my father was determined that I was going to do this and he scared me, so I did it. (I am glad I don't scare my son).

After I fell through the ceiling owned by the house bashing gezzer (my boss, his house) I left and started to work electrically on boats/ships. This only lasted a couple of years. I also hated that, noisy and smelly. And I was only a house basher, rubbish with metal.

So, I travelled, came home and house bashed again on and of until 1998.

My mrs left me, so I thought I would stop chasing money (as the CSA were chasing me) and I ceased working, I went back to college and gained the qualifications to go to university. Spent 3 years at uni studying a ridiculous subject which I was passionate about and have worked within that ridiculous underpaid sector, on an off, since 2002.

I got pee'd off with my ridiculous job in 2010 and gained a load of electrical qualifications, got a job in a prison and hated it, 10 weeks later I was back doing my ridiculous job. I quit my ridiculous job 3 weeks ago, I just can not do it any more.

So, that's me and here I am. I want to earn some proper money for a few years.

(well done for reading this far!)

So, my question is....

Drum roll.....!

I want a Gold Card. Here are my details.....

I did not complete my apprenticeship.
I do not have the AM 2.
But I do have the following qualifications....

City and Guilds Level 3 2391 Testing and Inspection.
City and Guilds Level 3 2372 Photovoltaic Installation and Testing.
City and Guilds Level 3 2382, BS 7671 17th Edition.
City and Guilds Level 3 2377 Portable Appliance Testing.
City and Guilds in Electrical Installation Competences Part 2 (2360-2)
City and Guilds in Electrical Installation Competences Part 1 (2360-1)
Plus my AM1

I also have a Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme card (SSSTS)
A 3 day First Aid Certificate.
A current CSCS card.
I have completed an asbestos awareness course.

So....do I get a Gold Card?

If not then a Blue Peter badge will be fine,

Cheers.

Look forward to getting to know some of you soon.

Sym

EDIT.....I am only looking for a job as an electricians mate initially as I am out of touch with this industry, but I would like a Gold Card. Also, I understand I will need to do the 18th Edition in the very near future.

 

[Midwest]

Welcome to the forum Sym.

This has been posted here before now;
Mature Candidate Assessment | Electrotechnical Certification Scheme - https://www.ecscard.org.uk/how-to-apply-(1)/mature-candidate-assessment
Hopefully some of the members who have been in this position will post to.

 

[Deleted member 109422]

Cheers for the welcome and prompt reply Midwest.
I have seen the Mature Candidate Assessment route, I was hoping to avoid that. I was hoping the qualifications I already have would get me a Gold Card. However, if my qualifications are not adequate then its not the end of the world. I will be happy to work as an electricians mate.
Sym

 

[Pete999]

Welcome Sym, sounds as though have led a checkered working life, good luck with whatever you decide to do. Can't help with what Cards you will need I'm retired now and never needed Cards or the like.

 

[Deleted member 109422]

Thanks for the welcome Pete.
Enjoy the retirement!

 

[Midwest]

Welcome to the forum Sym.

This has been posted here before now;
Mature Candidate Assessment | Electrotechnical Certification Scheme - https://www.ecscard.org.uk/how-to-apply-(1)/mature-candidate-assessment
Hopefully some of the members who have been in this position will post to.

I think they are after an NVQ3 qualification?

 

[Deleted account]

Are you registered with a competent persons scheme?

 

[Pete999]

Well good luck with that Sym

 

[Deleted member 109422]

Are you registered with a competent persons scheme?

Hi Paignton pete,
I havent worked in the industry for some years now, I am not registered with a competent persons scheme. Thanks for your reply, perhaps you could explain more about it please?
Thanks
Sym

 

[Deleted member 109422]

I think they are after an NVQ3 qualification?

Thanks.
I thought that perhaps having a 2361 qualification, a 2360 qualification, a 2391 qualification and the 17th edition might equal an NVQ3 qualification.
Ho Hum, thats ok if not, I only want to work as an electricians mate initially.

Perhaps you could tell me what the difference is between the following...
an Installation Electrician
a Site Technician
an Electrician
(the above are offered by the JIB)

Thanks in advance,
Sym

 

[Midwest]

Sym, your best bet is to ask the JIB, in your quest. There the ones you have to satisfy.

 

[Deleted member 109422]

Sym, your best bet is to ask the JIB, in your quest. There the ones you have to satisfy.

Thanks Midwest, you are right. I will contact them again tomorrow.
Sym

 

[Rpa07]

Welcome Sym, nice write up of your life so far - I quite enjoyed that. Enjoy the forum and getting back into it!

 

[Deleted account]

Sorry sym, I've been away from my iPad, so didn't reply straight away.
The niceic now produce there own gold card, but I don't think it's the one your after.
As others have said jib is the best place for answers.