Im currently a landlord / property developer Ive always been interested in electronics and all things electrical since i wa

[Floody]

Im actually from Glynneath buddy but living in Llansamlet. You?

 

[avar2010]

Im from the ghetto! ha Townhill matey

 

[jimmyray]

Hi folks, I'm Jim from Exeter. 31 years old, and just started the 2nd year of the 2357 NVQ. Came to be involved in the electrical trade about 6 years ago after various other jobs. Only managed to get sponsored by current work to do 2357 after completing electronic btec certificate off my own back, whilst paying my dues doing fan cleaning and emergency light tests. Really enjoying the course and the work as I'm now doing varied installation jobs with a good spark.

Outside work, love playing guitar, riding bikes and drinking nice ale (spoilt for choice this neck of the woods!

Look forward to learning lots from old and new sparks on this forum. Hopefully I won't ask too many daft questions!

Take it easy.
Jim

 

[markc123]

Welcome to the forum Jim - hope you find it usefull.

And good luck with the 2357.

 

[pennychew]

Hi,

Im Stu, i'm 33 and from Newcastle, ive recently started the 2365 level 2 course at my local college.

I left school in '96 and served my time as a car mechanic but by the end of the 4 year apprenticeship i knew it wasnt for me, waited until i had completed my qualifications then left and started out in the print industry.

I currently work in a large printing factory as a machine operator/setter in the print finishing department working a continental shift pattern (3x12hour shifts a week) but id like to move into the electrical maintenance/repair side of the industry as i love getting involved with the fault finding when the sparkies come down to investigate faults or break downs on our machines.

Any advice and help is much appreciated as i'm really keen to learn!

Stu

 

[mr7526]

Hello all,

My name is Matt and I'm currently in my third year of an undergraduate masters in Electrical Engineering at the University of Sheffield. I'm hoping to go into the railway industry when I graduate, working with overhead lines and supplying power to them, but I'm also considering trying to get work in various other heavy power industries (steel, oil, etc) and become chartered.

I dream of starting my own electrical consultancy / contracting (employing electricians) business at some point down the line for all sorts of areas. I am particularly interested in the electrical challenges that live events pose (because of the large currents; interesting loads such as dimmers that tend to have a large neutral current / strobes that tend to put large transients on supplies / amplifiers that tend to have massive fluctuations in power; and large temporary supplies) and spent some time working with the university's technical services committee.

I think I have most of the theory covered, but my degree doesn't particularly cover practical work with power systems. I am hoping to learn a little about the practicalities of power at various sizes.

Many thanks,

Matt

 

[Chrisuk]

Hi all

My names Chris, I live in Leeds, just turned 33

Im doing C&G 2365 level 2 electrical installations, then level 3 at leeds college of building, its only 2 evenings each week, really enjoying it so far although we only get 1 day a week in the workshop and I'd love to get more hands on experience so if anyone knows anyone in Leeds that wants some help I'm just wanting to learn

Ideally I'd love to do my NVQ level 3 so at least at the end I'd be a qualified sparky where as at the end of level 3 I won't be says college, on site work with a qualified sparky is needed is what I'm told!!!, but finding it difficult to find someone to give me the chance

Good luck to everyone that's training

Chris

 

[Marvo]

Welcome to the student zone Matt and Stu. You're welcome to ask any questions in here whatsoever, the motto is there's no such thing as a stupid question so whatever it is just ask.

 

[GMjohn]

Hi everyone.

I'm John. Got my tech certificate at level two and three doing evening classes, along with the 17th edition. I'm an adult learner trying to change jobs so am finding it difficult to find a decent training position. I've done voluntary work with a friend in the past for experience. I have a lot to learn, and admit I am fully in need of decent on the job training. I've been taking a break from learning for a few months which is why I haven't started posting yet.

I think this forum is a great idea and will be posting a lot of questions when I start training again sometime in the next month or so. I've already got a backlog of questions waiting to be asked. I will be putting to the test 'the no question is too stupid' rule.

 

[Sarz11]

Wat an awesome thread!!

Hey im sarah (sar, sarz) and am 28. Born in lincs live in wiltshire now long story. Left school early as teachers hated me and couldnt get any work done even though tried to be good at the end (sat with too many lads that lead me astray haha). Went back for my g.c.s.es but didnt do as well as i could have (regret central) went to college to study further due to pressure but i wasnt in the right frame of mind and buggered about and dropped out (shame as was doing really well argh) im quite smart but do have my blonde moments literally prob from being naturally blonde. Always wanted to be a sparky from bout 16 used to help my opa (grandad in deutch) out a bit when he was around :0(. I am a proper girly girl makeup shoes shopping hair etc but inside am sure im male im definately a rare/unique female haha. Chucked out at 17 (different story) and got a job as a nursing assistant on a childrens psych ward which i then naturally went onto do my nursing. I currently work as a community psych nurse and specialise in eating disorders. Can be very rewarding and i have a natural ability and skills in it ppl say i have a magic brain i usually have worked someone out within 5 mins of meeting and decide whether i like or not so watch out boys hehe. Anyway being a sparky kept coming up and ireally regret not doing it as an apprentice at 16 think coz others expectations (not family) it kind of wasnt the done thing (regret central) kept coming up so kicked mysen up the --- before christmas and looked into it. Obv college this way suits me as working full time and need to pay my bills etc!! Electrics sadly turns me on (not in a rude way) scuse the pun and im genuinely really interested and determined so if people have things to share please do got so much to learn. Im sorting out that unfulfilled feeling like iv done nothing with my life now i think :0) this is probably a monster post i talk for england. I hope that i can get to know you all and help each other out :0) i get:
City & Guilds 2357 level 3

City & Guilds 2377 - Portable Appliance testing.

City & Guilds 2382 - 17th Edition Regs

City & Guilds 2394 and 2395.
Il do anything else i need to when finished.
Just need to find someone who will take me out for free as much as possible so can learn practically coz im better when shown

 

[Baker1988]

Hi just wanted to add the city and guilds 2394 is actually built into the city and guilds 2357 it is unit 307 so once you complete that unit you don't need to do the 2394

 

[pennychew]

Wat an awesome thread!!

Hey im sarah (sar, sarz) and am 28. Born in lincs live in wiltshire now long story. Left school early as teachers hated me and couldnt get any work done even though tried to be good at the end (sat with too many lads that lead me astray haha). Went back for my g.c.s.es but didnt do as well as i could have (regret central) went to college to study further due to pressure but i wasnt in the right frame of mind and buggered about and dropped out (shame as was doing really well argh) im quite smart but do have my blonde moments literally prob from being naturally blonde. Always wanted to be a sparky from bout 16 used to help my opa (grandad in deutch) out a bit when he was around :0(. I am a proper girly girl makeup shoes shopping hair etc but inside am sure im male im definately a rare/unique female haha. Chucked out at 17 (different story) and got a job as a nursing assistant on a childrens psych ward which i then naturally went onto do my nursing. I currently work as a community psych nurse and specialise in eating disorders. Can be very rewarding and i have a natural ability and skills in it ppl say i have a magic brain i usually have worked someone out within 5 mins of meeting and decide whether i like or not so watch out boys hehe. Anyway being a sparky kept coming up and ireally regret not doing it as an apprentice at 16 think coz others expectations (not family) it kind of wasnt the done thing (regret central) kept coming up so kicked mysen up the --- before christmas and looked into it. Obv college this way suits me as working full time and need to pay my bills etc!! Electrics sadly turns me on (not in a rude way) scuse the pun and im genuinely really interested and determined so if people have things to share please do got so much to learn. Im sorting out that unfulfilled feeling like iv done nothing with my life now i think :0) this is probably a monster post i talk for england. I hope that i can get to know you all and help each other out :0) i get:
City & Guilds 2357 level 3

City & Guilds 2377 - Portable Appliance testing.

City & Guilds 2382 - 17th Edition Regs

City & Guilds 2394 and 2395.
Il do anything else i need to when finished.
Just need to find someone who will take me out for free as much as possible so can learn practically coz im better when shown

Hi sarah, why dont i find the bit in bold hard to believe!

Glad you're enjoying the course!

Stu

 

[Sarz11]

Hi sarah, why dont i find the bit in bold hard to believe!

Glad you're enjoying the course!

Stu

Hahaha i dnt no u tell me cheeky. I love it and this forums made it even more exciting that i can meet some nice knowledgeable funny ppl.along the way

 

[Poult12]

Kieran most call me 'yid' as i support Spurs.

I'm 26 from Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
Studying at Bath College Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment) (QCF). City and Guilds call it the “2357” whilst EAL (the other awarding body) call it the “1605”.

I'm an apprentice for a fire alarm firm which now have moved me into a service engineer role.

I run a youth team - Bradford town Youth FC Panthers U14s.

I play Badminton in a league for a club and also play football over the weekend.
Dont mind a round of gold at Cumberwell with mates.

I'm currently searching for another company so i can progress in electrics but more to help me with my portfolio as my current employer can only offer me FP200.

I look forward to learning a few things from this forum.

 

[happysteve]

Eh up

I'm Steve, from Nottingham (originally from near Bradford). I'm taking a 2365 level 3 course with "Training in Electrical", about 12 weeks in.

I did an MEng (4 year uni course) in Electronic Engineering in the early '90s. The first 2 years of this covered both the electrical and electronic side (was 20 years ago, though!). After that, a PhD in Applied Optics - laser ultrasonics, materials characterisation, nondestructive evaluation - and I've been doing research in that area ever since. Starting teaching undergraduates and post graduates a couple of years ago - mostly RF analogue electronics theory (matching circuits, amplifiers, mixers, oscillators, phase-locked loops etc in the 1MHz-5.2GHz region). That colourful circle thing in my avatar - that's a Smith Chart, I teach people how to use those to design matching circuits. I'm a bit of a perfectionist though, so with open-ended tasks like "teach this better" and "invent stuff" it just eats up all my family time and makes me stressed.

I used to do sound engineering (and drive the 7.5 ton truck) a few years ago, in my spare time - monitor engineer was my strength. Left the scene just as the desks and everything else went digital, so I'm a bit old school when it comes to graphicing out the wedges etc - my hearing's not pitch perfect but I still recognise 1k6 and 2k5! I really enjoyed that, though looking back it's scary some of the things we used to do with the electrics. A couple of things I loved about it was the problem solving, and (bizarrely) the pressure to get the gig running. We had old equipment. If you plugged it in and 3/4 of it worked, you were having a very good day. Fault-finding - hums, buzzes, "why is the left low mid coming out of the right bass cabs, and where the hell did the right top end go!?" that sort of thing - got very proficient at solving that sort of stuff, in a hurry, with punters at the door and management breathing down your neck. Then all the different skills you need to deal with the bands and their crew - the interpersonal skills as well as technical. But it's not a family friendly business, so that got knocked on the head a few years ago.

Lived on various boats for 10 years ('97-'07), and got to know the 12V side of things pretty well. It's generally a good life, living on a boat, especially in the summer. Had a Dutch sailing barge (Zeeschouw) until last year - good fun, but 2 weeks in dry dock every year sanding the f'ker made me realise that the fun to hard work ratio was the wrong way round! Now I've got a £200 Laser dinghy and I potter about on a lake.

I'm most interested in motors, and also general problem solving. I lack practical experience. I'm here to learn.

Well, that's me. Cheers all

 

[Sarz11]

Eh up

I'm Steve, from Nottingham (originally from near Bradford). I'm taking a 2365 level 3 course with "Training in Electrical", about 12 weeks in.

I did an MEng (4 year uni course) in Electronic Engineering in the early '90s. The first 2 years of this covered both the electrical and electronic side (was 20 years ago, though!). After that, a PhD in Applied Optics - laser ultrasonics, materials characterisation, nondestructive evaluation - and I've been doing research in that area ever since. Starting teaching undergraduates and post graduates a couple of years ago - mostly RF analogue electronics theory (matching circuits, amplifiers, mixers, oscillators, phase-locked loops etc in the 1MHz-5.2GHz region). That colourful circle thing in my avatar - that's a Smith Chart, I teach people how to use those to design matching circuits. I'm a bit of a perfectionist though, so with open-ended tasks like "teach this better" and "invent stuff" it just eats up all my family time and makes me stressed.

I used to do sound engineering (and drive the 7.5 ton truck) a few years ago, in my spare time - monitor engineer was my strength. Left the scene just as the desks and everything else went digital, so I'm a bit old school when it comes to graphicing out the wedges etc - my hearing's not pitch perfect but I still recognise 1k6 and 2k5! I really enjoyed that, though looking back it's scary some of the things we used to do with the electrics. A couple of things I loved about it was the problem solving, and (bizarrely) the pressure to get the gig running. We had old equipment. If you plugged it in and 3/4 of it worked, you were having a very good day. Fault-finding - hums, buzzes, "why is the left low mid coming out of the right bass cabs, and where the hell did the right top end go!?" that sort of thing - got very proficient at solving that sort of stuff, in a hurry, with punters at the door and management breathing down your neck. Then all the different skills you need to deal with the bands and their crew - the interpersonal skills as well as technical. But it's not a family friendly business, so that got knocked on the head a few years ago.

Lived on various boats for 10 years ('97-'07), and got to know the 12V side of things pretty well. It's generally a good life, living on a boat, especially in the summer. Had a Dutch sailing barge (Zeeschouw) until last year - good fun, but 2 weeks in dry dock every year sanding the f'ker made me realise that the fun to hard work ratio was the wrong way round! Now I've got a £200 Laser dinghy and I potter about on a lake.

I'm most interested in motors, and also general problem solving. I lack practical experience. I'm here to learn.

Well, that's me. Cheers all

Wow

 

[pitkin2020]

Hi all, Im Richard 30 from North Devon.
I am currently studying the EAL level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation, which is a 12 hour day once a week. I completed level 2 last year as a full time student with the youngsters.
I am due to start the level 3 NVQ any day soon, once the college gets the paperwork sorted its only taken 3 months so far.............but thats another long story lol.
I know people aren't overly keen on the EAL courses but it was is all our local training providers are using now, the alternative was the online type courses doing C&G which I didn't feel would suit me or be beneficial.

I also work with a local electrical company, unpaid unfortunately but it is gaining me valuable on site real world experience. With them we have done a wide range of stuff from the basic CU change for domestic through to generator change over switches for factories with a big mix of stuff in between. I am really enjoying and its really varied which I have found to be great, and probably why I have stuck with it being unpaid for so long, the pros outweigh the cons as such.

As for my background, done a fair bit TBH from factory work to running my own businesses where I did carpet cleaning and also a bouncy castle hire business. I moved into bouncy castle manufacturing and repairing later on. I was fast approaching 30 and felt I needed something more and decided the time was to actually train and work towards a career rather than a job, if I didn't do it now then it would be too late!!

 

[pennychew]

Hi all, Im Richard 30 from North Devon.
I am currently studying the EAL level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation, which is a 12 hour day once a week. I completed level 2 last year as a full time student with the youngsters.
I am due to start the level 3 NVQ any day soon, once the college gets the paperwork sorted its only taken 3 months so far.............but thats another long story lol.
I know people aren't overly keen on the EAL courses but it was is all our local training providers are using now, the alternative was the online type courses doing C&G which I didn't feel would suit me or be beneficial.

I also work with a local electrical company, unpaid unfortunately but it is gaining me valuable on site real world experience. With them we have done a wide range of stuff from the basic CU change for domestic through to generator change over switches for factories with a big mix of stuff in between. I am really enjoying and its really varied which I have found to be great, and probably why I have stuck with it being unpaid for so long, the pros outweigh the cons as such.

As for my background, done a fair bit TBH from factory work to running my own businesses where I did carpet cleaning and also a bouncy castle hire business. I moved into bouncy castle manufacturing and repairing later on. I was fast approaching 30 and felt I needed something more and decided the time was to actually train and work towards a career rather than a job, if I didn't do it now then it would be too late!!

Welcome to the trainee forum mate [emoji106]

 

[pitkin2020]

Welcome to the trainee forum mate [emoji106]

Thanks, I have been lurking and reading for quite sometime so thought I had better get more involved lol

 

[Bobster]

We don't bite... Honest