What Quals

[Starbuck]

Hi I am thinking of changing career and becoming a spark.

I have worked as an electronics engineer for 11 years and want a change.

I realise I need 17th edition (2382-20) and 2391 but I read a lot about the 2330.

I have a degree in elecrtonic and electrical engineering (EEE) would this allow my not to bother with 2330?
I have checked out the 2330 course and am very confident I already have the academic knowledge.

Will this affect me getiing registered as part P approved with, say, the NICEIC,

Any comments appreciated.

Greg

 

[roukel01]

I regestered with ELECSA and too didn't do a formal apprenticeship
or gain my 2330, however I had 6 years experience working in with my dad who was self employed. I got the Part P domestic installers qualification, 17th edition and 2391 and regestered without any problems.

You will need some jobs to show whoever you are planning to regester with and each company has its own criteria for allowing registration. Some you do not need 2391, you just need to proove an understanding of inspection and testing.

I had my second inspection last week, and we got talking about this, his thoughts on it where that experience is the key that they are looking for, its ok having qualifications as long as your arm but when placed with a real life situation, do people have the knowledge and understanding to complete the job in a way that meets all requirements.

I hope this helps

 

[supasparxs]

Hi I am thinking of changing career and becoming a spark.

I have worked as an electronics engineer for 11 years and want a change.

I realise I need 17th edition (2382-20) and 2391 but I read a lot about the 2330.

I have a degree in elecrtonic and electrical engineering (EEE) would this allow my not to bother with 2330?
I have checked out the 2330 course and am very confident I already have the academic knowledge.
/quote]

Hi Greg

I wish you luck with your in your plans to change carrer.

If I were you, I'd find a company that employs electricians, so you can get taken on as an electricians mate.

This way you will learn how to pull cables in without damaging them, run conduit, trunking and terminate equipment. The electrician who you will be working with will check your work and so you will improve your skills, you will make mistakes but hopefully you will learn from those mistakes. Over time you will learn how to fault find, read drawings and the most important thing of all make the tea

After you start learning the practical side of sparking then you can think about colledge and quallications.

Thwere are alot of paper electricians out there who have all the paperwork but can't do the work.

While I was doing my 2391 I was running a extension to a school in Hertfordshire. Being short on labour I got someone else from the course a start as an electrican (he had all the quallications). Unfortunately he didn't have the skills and experience as an electrican and after a week I had to let him go.

There were 3 other electricans on site and if this guy wasn't pulling hios weight then the other guys would have to carry him. all the electricans were on the same rate so why pay someone £120 a day to teach him skills he should already have.

Richard

 

[roukel01]

I agree with Richard, experience is everything in this trade, every job is different and the only way to learn is to do with someone who can teach you, thats why I did 7 Years with my old man!

 

[pgee]

You still need to do the C&G 2330 level 2 and 3. Some colleges do a fast track in the level 2 1 year instead of 2. This is designed for people like you. The level 3 is 1 year.

You should also do the NVQ3 in Electrotechnical with the AM2 test which is built in.

 

[Starbuck]

Thanks for replies.

I have been informed by the NICEIC and ELECSA that for approved status etc. I do not require 2330 as my degree is regarded as being more than adequate.

Cheers

 

[pushrod]

Hi Greg, I spent 30 years in a science based career and got myself in position to retire early. I have post graduate science based qualifications and decided to train as a spark as a possible income source if i needed it. I am part way through 2330, have completed level 2 and about to start level 3. Yes the academic side of it is easy, but there are still lots of things/regulations that need to be learnt. I suppose i am lucky that i can do it full time - level 2 was 3 days a week and level 3 is 2 days a week. Some of the lads on the course have part time jobs to support themselves.

If you do it at evening classes level 2 was 2 years and level 3 was still one year. I have really enjoyed it particularly the workshops. The supervisors are very experienced electricians and you can learn a lot off them if you pick their brains. I suppose it depends on your financial situation really and how quickly you need to start generating income, but i have learnt a lot more than i thought i would by doing the 2330.

The other thing, of course, to consider is if there is enough work out there to support the standard of living you want!

regards .