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Becoming an electrician?
Avoneer - 13/9/05 at 11:22 PM

Hi,

Planning on starting evening classes soon to get my 16th Edition doo darr.

Is this the right way to start to become a qualified sparky?

What else would I need to do?

Cheers,

Pat...

rayward - 14/9/05 at 01:05 AM

Hi Pat,

well that depends on what type of electrician you want to be??.

and, of course how much cash you want to earn.


Ray

JoelP - 14/9/05 at 07:25 AM

there are two types of part P qualifications that i know of, one for single circuits and one for full consumer units. The single circuit one is very simple, i did a 4 day course for it, cost about £500. To get the full shebang, you need to cover a LOT more stuff, including 3 phase and outdoor wiring etc, which would take many weeks more.

However, my simple qualification still covers the installation of new mini consumer units, like those found in a garage, so it is still useful. Also covers certification and testing.

i believe tony9876 is fully qualified, probably others on here too.

[Edited on 14/9/05 by JoelP]

monkey69 - 14/9/05 at 07:42 AM

As far as I am aware, in the UK there is no required qualification for someone to start work as an electrician. However, there are recognized accreditations that employers/customers look for.

As I understand it, the main thing is that your work comes up to scratch when inspected, so 16th edition standards need to be followed for new builds etc, which is what these courses are about.

JonBowden - 14/9/05 at 07:48 AM

JoelP
Does this 4 day course allow you to self certify?

Stuart Ainslie - 14/9/05 at 07:52 AM

C&G 236 is also a bonus - Electrical installations qualification...

vintagebuilder - 14/9/05 at 08:09 AM

Hi Pat,

You could practice by wiring up my instrument panel this weekend.

Regards

David

P.S Do you want me to bring you a couple of Sierra wheel studs to Ackworth this evening?

tony9876 - 14/9/05 at 11:59 AM

I am an electrical contracts manager and i wouldnt dream of taking anyone on unless they had a bare minimum of city&guilds 236 part 1+2 16th Edition Am1 Am2 or a full NVQ level 3.
The new part p qualification are a complete joke and from the talk in the industry will soon become obsolete when certifying work. So basically if you are looking for employment as an electrician you need at least a 4 year college stint under your belt but if you just fancy throwing extra sockets etc in houses for a few bob then do one of the other courses and get part p registered.
If you cant tell i think its an absolute joke ,you have to be fully corgi qualified to arse about with gas but any numpty can do a couple of day course and of you go with electrics.

Jumpy Guy - 14/9/05 at 12:23 PM

to add to the debate- it depends on what type of electricain you want to be...
All of the above applies to domestic or installation etc, but dont apply to industrial electricains
I have four sparks work for me, amnd two are not "time served" electricians in the sense mentioned above.
in most factory/process jobs, then CP status is far more imporatant than being time served

JoelP - 14/9/05 at 12:40 PM

quote:
Originally posted by JonBowden
JoelP
Does this 4 day course allow you to self certify?


yes. To do it alone, i would have to register myself personally with NICEIC, as it stands my contract provider has decided to register themselves and manage the paperwork for us. I still do the testing and certification myself. The course was arranged by them too, i dont think its available usually.

However, i was taught by a bloke called Chris Veal from technical training associates (TTS), a websearch might throw up his details.

fesycresy - 14/9/05 at 05:15 PM

One of my sparks said he's heard of Part P being done online. Don't know if this is true or not.

I'm a mechanical cm, and even you're 16th Edition Test and Inspection is a doddle compared to all the tickets we have to have with Corgi / ACS etc.

omega 24 v6 - 14/9/05 at 05:36 PM

You also need to have recieved the compulsary electric shock treatment. It comes from thinking " yeh it'll be alright to do this live--------I know it's live ------I'll be very carefull"
You also get free, at the same time the blue flash and bang treatment

Avoneer - 14/9/05 at 05:58 PM

Right,

I want to be a domestic electrician.

I have no time served experience, only have an A/S level electronics, but know the theory inside out and have done several domestic wiring jobs.

I should have my 16th edition by Xmas so what's next?

Thanks,

Pat...

fesycresy - 14/9/05 at 06:22 PM

Unwrap your christmas presents

rayward - 14/9/05 at 06:38 PM

You'll need part P, and C&G 2391 inspection and testing would be an advantage.

Ray

Avoneer - 14/9/05 at 07:07 PM

Cheers Ray.

Got my eye on the 2391 course, but you need 16th Edition to do it, so that will be in the new year.

Will have to look into the "P" bit.

After getting all them, what would be the next best step? Paid odd-jobs for friends on an evening?

Cheers,
Pat..

Avoneer - 14/9/05 at 07:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by fesycresy
Unwrap your christmas presents



dave1888 - 14/9/05 at 08:03 PM

Stick to low voltage and/or data good money and less red tape. The industry is becoming a joke re. qualification no sooner have you passed one course and its superceeded by something else. It costs £500 to get NICEIC registered and they will want to inspect two of your most recent installations. Security and cctv is good paying work.

JoelP - 14/9/05 at 08:51 PM

the electrics i do for norwood interiors is excellent pay, i get £70 for the RCD, £60 for a new ring and £50 to test it, on top of £25 per socket! Since all the electrics can be done in a day, it works out to a cracking wage! Just a shame that i also have to fit splashbacks, which is crap money

Avoneer - 14/9/05 at 11:04 PM

Do you need an assistant Joel?

Pat...

JoelP - 15/9/05 at 07:30 AM

Ive got one already pat!