Returning to be an Electrician

[Midwest]

I have only just joined this forum, so hello to all. I have done some searching on my question in this forum, but mostly on the internet, so I hope someone doesn't show me a recent post straight away.

I'm due to retire from my current job in the next two years, so I am planning ahead. When I left school in the 70's o), I served a full apprenticeship as an electrician, and qualified as an Approved Electrician. I worked in domestic installation and then industrial installation, before leaving the industry in 1985. I am thinking of returning to the domestic field (self-employed) when I retire.

My question is what courses/qualifications do I need to qualify again as an approved electrician? There seem to be a host of courses out there, but most seem aimed at people who are completely new to the industry, notwithstanding I would need retraining.
I contacted the JIB, who said I could renew my Approved Electrician card after an H&S assessment. Is that all I need to do? Seems a bit too simple.

If that is the case do I just need to do a Part P course?

 

[telectrix]

17th edition course would be more appropriate, and maybe the 2391.

 

[Paul.M]

Midwest welcome to the forum.

As Telectrix says above the 17th ed and the 2391 + ecs test (part of jib) is all that is needed in your case. The new regs of the building code of part p can be found on here, look at the sticky thread and that will be a good start. You can down load part p and best practice giudes, read them, it will save you the price of a part p course (that you don't need imo).

Good luck any any more questions please feel free to ask.

 

[Jimmy Boy]

Although 2391 is desirable for wider scope of work than just Domestic I would suggest the C&G 2392, this will give you all you need to prove safe working practices (Lock off etc and proving ), initial verification, and testing and recording of results to comply with 7671, and will give you all you need to pass a part P assessment.Good luck

ATB Steve

 

[i=p/u]

welecomeeeeeeeee

 

[Short Circuit]

Midwest, Welcome to the Forum mate. I agree that the 2391 or the 2392 are the ones to do, plus the 17th edition course which is essential. Out of interest, did the JIB say how much the renewal of your JIB approved status was? Or how much the H&S course with them is? The reason i ask is that i served my time in the eighties and was JIB approved then. Like you i went on to work else where but continued to do electrical stuff in my spare time and did it all through the books etc and as soon as part P came out got registered. I have been self employed for a number of years now and that JIB card seems to be worth having, although in fairness i get by without it!

 

[Midwest]

Thanks Gents for your prompt replies. Apart form the obvious, I think testing is something I need some training in, if I think I'm geting back into this. JIB haven't mention costs, but I suppose it won't be that expensive? Just had a look at my apprenticeship deeds, and I qualified in April 1978! Eekk, where did that go.

 

[Jimmy Boy]

2392 is a really good course it's four days hard graft with a Gola on line exam and an intense practical, not as intense as 91 perhaps but it makes you touch cloth, if you frig up the lock off and safe isolation your out the door..no second chances..don't get doing the IR through the rcd's/rcbo's that is a no no, and watch out for knowing your test instruments and probes...it's moved on a bit since you were hands on mate !

 

[Midwest]

Thanks Gents for your replies. I apologies for not replying sooner, my current employment has taken over my life in the last year and I forgot I even posted here. However, I now have only one year left in which to progress, and decide if I am capable of starting again as an electrician.

I served an apprenticeship in the late 70’s and was certifiedin the 15th Regs, and a pass in City & Guilds Electrical Work Course B. As you say, things have moved on considerably since then. However, I still haven’t lost my aptitude and ability to carry out skilled work. Okay, I’m good at DIY!

I did an H&S assessment and was successful (cost about£30) and I now have ECS card, which states my JIB Grade is an Approved Electrician.However, I'm not so naive to think I could start out next week and carry out installations not withstanding I have no qualifications to test etc.

I would like some guidance on any sort of course that could refresh my memory and assist me in bring me up to the current technology & equipment used in today’s domestic installations, before I even consider going to get part P qualified. Would these suggested courses help me in this area?

 

[Paul.M]

No such thing as a part p qualification, don't waste your cash on any type of course.

The answer is still the same from ten months ago, 17th ed + the 2391 or 2392.

Before starting these courses buy the gn3, 17th big green book, osg and the part p building regs book. Study, learn and then do the courses and pass (long as you understand it all) and welcome back into the trade.

 

[Midwest]

Ok thanks for your advice.

 

[Short Circuit]

Midwest, i completely agree with Paul, good bit of advice he has given you there! I did the same as you, 15th Edition etc! There are loads of companies offering Part P courses which is a scam and there just to make you part with cash! the 2391 (or 2392 i think is the newer one) is very hard work, but well worth it! Get the full 17th Edition course if you feel you didnt do the 16th and been totally out the game for so long! Good luck mate and welcome back

 

[Paul.M]

If you did your 16th before 2001 you need the full exam, afterwards its an update exam.

Short circuit thanks for your comments .

 

[Brendan976]

I am in exactly the same position as Midwest I gave up sparking in 1979 and returned recently, I took the 2382 and passed, I got my ecs and JIB approved card back. I agree that the part p course is not mandatory and you repeat a lot of stuff that is covered in the 2382, but, I have to say I found it very useful, if you have not been doing inspection and testing for a long time then the old adage springs to mind well it did in my case " if you dont use it you lose it" and this course will certainly help if you intend doing the 2391.


Regards

Ben

 

[Midwest]

Thanks for all your help on this guys. In what order would you recommend I take these courses? I looked on the web and there are alot of training venues that do the 2382 over three days, however my local COFE (know they aren't called that now!) shows it as an evening course over 11 weeks. What do you think?. Cancel last, typo error on web site.

 

[Brendan976]

Spread the course over the eleven weeks, whilst the 2382 is not rocket science it's still slot to take in after being out of the game for so long
Regards
Ben

 

[parker56]

Fully agree with Brendan976 gives you a lot more time to take it all in,(learn all the new terms) good luck.

 

[Midwest]

I am in exactly the same position as Midwest I gave up sparking in 1979 and returned recently, I took the 2382 and passed, I got my ecs and JIB approved card back. I agree that the part p course is not mandatory and you repeat a lot of stuff that is covered in the 2382, but, I have to say I found it very useful, if you have not been doing inspection and testing for a long time then the old adage springs to mind well it did in my case " if you dont use it you lose it" and this course will certainly help if you intend doing the 2391.


Regards

Ben

Sorry just trying to grips with all these courses. So I should start with 2382, then 2392 and then possibly a Part 3. Would not the 2382/2392 allow me to register with a 'Competent Person Self-Certification Scheme' ?

 

[wildgoose]

17th Edition - Essential.
2392 - Practical & very useful.
C&G Electrical Appliance Testing - PAT can be boring but testing brings in other work.

I also returned back to my original trade 3 years ago, after specialising in another area of the electrical industry. Did other courses but the 3 above have been the most useful.

Also suggest that you buddy you with another local spark to get back into it. This is also very useful so you can help each other out because there are going to be josb which you cannot do on your own!!

 

[Midwest]

17th Edition - Essential.
2392 - Practical & very useful.
C&G Electrical Appliance Testing - PAT can be boring but testing brings in other work.

I also returned back to my original trade 3 years ago, after specialising in another area of the electrical industry. Did other courses but the 3 above have been the most useful.

Also suggest that you buddy you with another local spark to get back into it. This is also very useful so you can help each other out because there are going to be josb which you cannot do on your own!!

Good point with the buddy system. I'm likely to start sort of part time (will have small pension), but working with someone else makes sense. Before doing the courses, I'm going to do some reading. Can anyone suggest some guidance books (the big green book is on its way L )?
I’ve seen ‘Electricians Guide to the building Regs ISBN 979-0863418624’ recommended (can’t find that on-line) and ‘On Site Guide ISBN No 978-1849192873’.
Nice bed time reading!