What do I need exactly? (elec/ecs/cscs)

[SimonFisher]

I have been offered a job in the family business as a trainee Electrician, I am 28 so no access to the apprentice funding and looking at my best options to become qualified.

From what i can tell I need a course like "City & Guilds 2357 Course / NVQ Diploma" which is like £7000, do I have other cheaper options as my employer can provide any practical experience?

Also I require an ECS or CSCS card to begin any of the current site work and confused which card I can get as all seem to require you to be studying something which I am currently not.

Any help would be most appreciated.

 

[Adam W]

The ECS card is tailored to the electrical industry, although it takes longer to get - you have to wait a while for a date, then wait a month or so for the results, whereas you can get a CSCS card in a week or so.
You can get an 'operative' card with no other qualifications, which will get you on site.

 

[dpiers1980]

I would get a CSCS general operative i got mine about five years ago and am about to renew it it will get you on site it's just to show that you have basic health and safety knowledge. Why make things harder when pretty much every building site excepts cscs now anyway to much bureaucracy in this country, quangos.