Working towards Electrical Engineering HNC

Lee1994 · Jan 20, 2013

Hello, I am currently an apprentice electrician, studying for the Level 3 NVQ in installation. However, in a few years my aim is to gain a HNC/D in Electrical Engineering, I am adamant in doing so, in order to progress my career.
The problem I am facing is that I feel like I am wasting time at the moment, I want a course to study during evenings and weekends etc. which will also be beneficial for studying the HNC. I have researched into an A-Level in Physics, but it seems impossible to achieve through distance learning due to the practical exams. I have also looked into the Level 3 BTEC in Electronic Engineering through distance learning, but am not too sure on that either. I currently spend my evenings and any spare time studying and learning anything related. After completion of the NVQ Level 3, I plan to gain, the 17th Edition Regs + Test and Inspection before studying for the HNC. So my question is, What courses could I take now? How could I use the time I have now to benefit myself in the near future? Any help/advice will be GREATLY appreciated.

Thank you.

fordmatt · Jan 21, 2013

It depends on what your looking to learn from the course. Im currently doing a full-time HND after completing a BTEC Level 3 in Electrical Engineering and it mostly has little reference to what jobs a general electrician would undertake (I would think). The most part of what i study day in day out is the smaller components like circuit boards small capacitors, digital and analogue chips etc. There is also a LOT of maths involving a LOT of equations for a matter of different things. Im near finishing my first year of the HND and have done nothing about mains supply, Delta/Star, Motors, Generators etc except from my Level 3 course. Whether we cover this next year I don't know but remember the HNC contains even less units than the HND. I would think that the content you lean on this course would be most suited to the industrial aspect to your job?
Also the only practical ive done all year is logic chips, (AND, NAND, OR etc.) completed on a breadboard. So be prepared as ive said for lots of theory.

Considering you have an NVQ Level 3 in Installation it would be silly to do the BTEC so do the HNC or if you can the HND. BUT... Make sure you discuss what will be in the syllabus!

Good Luck.