C
carlostongue
Hi all,
I have been in the electrical trade since I left school in June 1993. I completed a training course through a company called HETA, Humberside Engineering and Training Association, where I gained an NVQ 2 (foundation level) in engineering manufacture. It comprised of numerous electrical, mechanical and health & safety disciplines and I gained my certificate after 11 months. I then went out on a placement to home security company and then on to a motor rewinding company and started as an apprentice for them. I was attending the college on a weekly basis for around 8 months so I gained a little more academic experience, and also some valuable hands on work experience. I never completed the apprenticeship due to unforeseen circumstances which led me to seeking work as an electrical mate/labourer. I continued working this way consistently and gained quite a lot of experience as I couldn't find another apprenticeship and could not afford to pay for a course. In 2002 I undertook the 2360 Level 2 part 1 open learning course. I passed this in 2003 whilst still working for employment agencies in the trade. In 2004 I completed the 2381 16th edition wiring regs course. I continued working as an electrical improver/mate/labourer for a couple of years and then around 2005/6 I was told by one of my employers (via an agency) that my qualifications, skills and competence levels were suitable enough to be working as an electrician. This spurred me on and gave me the confidence I needed. I have worked as an electrician in the supply, distribution and control of electrical systems since then. I have experience in domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural and marine environments, and have never had any cause for concern. My only issue has been registration with the JIB. This has been a real pain for me. I left England to live and work in Mallorca in the April of 2009 and returned in April 2011. On returning home I spoke with my local college's electrical department and they assessed me on my suitability and enrolled me on the 2330 level 3 course. I am finding it pretty good and am looking forward to my exams. This piece of paper has been a long time coming so I do not intend to fail. I am also looking at doing my AM2 practical as that is apparently the next step in achieving my full NVQ level 3 (or an on-site assessor and port-folio). Hopefully I will be there soon, fully qualified after what will be nearly 19 years! I am now thinking of changing my working environment again and getting into the offshore industry. It is one of the many areas along with High Voltage work that I have never explored but would really like to gain experience. If there are any tips you can give me on this type of work or on my qualification status I would be grateful. Also is it imperative that after completion of the 2330 level 3, I would have to complete the 17th edition, or is it a combined qualification in my course? My tutor says I will be qualified to 17th edition. Although opinions do vary.
Thanks for reading this if you managed it!
Carl
I have been in the electrical trade since I left school in June 1993. I completed a training course through a company called HETA, Humberside Engineering and Training Association, where I gained an NVQ 2 (foundation level) in engineering manufacture. It comprised of numerous electrical, mechanical and health & safety disciplines and I gained my certificate after 11 months. I then went out on a placement to home security company and then on to a motor rewinding company and started as an apprentice for them. I was attending the college on a weekly basis for around 8 months so I gained a little more academic experience, and also some valuable hands on work experience. I never completed the apprenticeship due to unforeseen circumstances which led me to seeking work as an electrical mate/labourer. I continued working this way consistently and gained quite a lot of experience as I couldn't find another apprenticeship and could not afford to pay for a course. In 2002 I undertook the 2360 Level 2 part 1 open learning course. I passed this in 2003 whilst still working for employment agencies in the trade. In 2004 I completed the 2381 16th edition wiring regs course. I continued working as an electrical improver/mate/labourer for a couple of years and then around 2005/6 I was told by one of my employers (via an agency) that my qualifications, skills and competence levels were suitable enough to be working as an electrician. This spurred me on and gave me the confidence I needed. I have worked as an electrician in the supply, distribution and control of electrical systems since then. I have experience in domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural and marine environments, and have never had any cause for concern. My only issue has been registration with the JIB. This has been a real pain for me. I left England to live and work in Mallorca in the April of 2009 and returned in April 2011. On returning home I spoke with my local college's electrical department and they assessed me on my suitability and enrolled me on the 2330 level 3 course. I am finding it pretty good and am looking forward to my exams. This piece of paper has been a long time coming so I do not intend to fail. I am also looking at doing my AM2 practical as that is apparently the next step in achieving my full NVQ level 3 (or an on-site assessor and port-folio). Hopefully I will be there soon, fully qualified after what will be nearly 19 years! I am now thinking of changing my working environment again and getting into the offshore industry. It is one of the many areas along with High Voltage work that I have never explored but would really like to gain experience. If there are any tips you can give me on this type of work or on my qualification status I would be grateful. Also is it imperative that after completion of the 2330 level 3, I would have to complete the 17th edition, or is it a combined qualification in my course? My tutor says I will be qualified to 17th edition. Although opinions do vary.
Thanks for reading this if you managed it!
Carl
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