Currently there are 3 routes to becoming a ‘fully’ qualified electrician.
City & Guilds 2365 and then transfer in to the Level 3 NVQ and AM2 Assessment
(There is a 4th option to become a Domestic Electrical Installer)
Confused? Simply call 01293 529777 or 0800 856 4448 for simple clearcut advice.
City & Guilds & EAL seem to do the same Diploma course, which one is best ?
Frankly there is no best, both are sponsored and well respected within the industry. They contain the same content, but are slightly different in how they are assessed and tested and delivered by us, from your perspective you’d barely know the difference, it’s down to merely which brand you prefer, though some funding organisations may insist on one or the other, so we need to check that for you.
Both Diplomas’ are the new diploma qualifications brought out within the last 18 months, so very much the latest versions.
Whichever Diploma you choose to do and we can help you decide. Call 01293 529777 for advice.
Both enable you to become an electrician; they do exactly the same thing.
City & Guilds 2365 Level 2 and Level 3 Technical Certificates
Just to add to the confusion the third option the City & Guilds 2365 which is essentially the same as the knowledge units for the 2357 Course but without the need to complete the NVQ. This course is a direct replacement for the old 2330 courses which have been phased out and used to be the main route into becoming an electrician.
The 2365 is a good option for many as it allows you to train and get the knowledge required to find employment without the added pressure of completing your NVQ. In fact it means you keep all your options open as you can transfer in to the 2357 very easily to complete your NVQ and become fully qualified.
Maybe you’re a semi qualified Electrician and you need to complete your qualification set by taking the missing units. For instance you may want to emigrate to Australia and need to fill in the gaps of your qualifications. We offer a service to enable you to complete, give us a call to find out how we can help.
The NVQ
What is a National Vocational Qualification and how does it work?
The NVQ is now part of the new Diploma. It’s not a training course, it’s an assessment qualification. After completing your 9 practical and theory training units, either City & Guilds 2357 or EAL Diploma your formal training is done, now you move onto ‘on site assessments’ the NVQ.
The idea is that you work alongside a more experienced electrician who will guide you through certain tasks that are detailed in the NVQ document (i.e. installing metal conduit, or installing a phase 3 board)
As you undertake the various tasks you’ll take photos and write a few lines about what you have done, this is called evidence.
We will send along as assessor to visit you in your workplace look for evidence of you gaining skills and experience and complete your portfolio (folder) of evidence.
We would typically do this over about 12 months. When the tasks in the NVQ document are assessed and you have completed all the necessary skills and tasks, you have then formally completed your NVQ. It’s worth noting, if your firm is very active in all sorts of electrical installation, you’ll gather evidence more quickly, and so you’ll complete more quickly.
You then move onto the AM2 to complete your Diploma. (again not compulsory but recommended)
The AM2 (Achievement Measurement no. 2) is your final assessment. It’s literally a practical exam with an assessor watching you complete given tasks at an assessment centre, under exam conditions.
It takes a couple of days and on successful completion, that’s it, all done, congratulations, you’re a fully qualified electrician, with a Diploma no less!
NVQ only?
Can you do the NVQ on its own? You’ve been working in the industry for years with no formal qualifications or you qualified years ago and didn’t finish your NVQ. I.e. you might need this if you’re looking to emigrate to Australia.
The Answer is Yes, you most certainly can. Give us a call on this; it will need a conversation with you.
AM2 only?
Again Yes, give us a call on 01293 529777 and we’ll discuss.
Domestic Electrical Installer Route
This fourth route is equally valid and open to anyone. Until April 2013 you are able to train as a Domestic Electrical Installer and register as such with one of the Domestic Installer Schemes like NAPIT, NICEIC or ELECSA etc.
We offer range of course packages that cover everything you need to to qualify.
Why would you take this route and is it viable and proper?
Yes, it’s a realistic route for many people in this modern world and is very much a viable and proper way into the electrical industry. We train many people in these Domestic Installer qualification packages, and the main reason they choose this route is because they want to be qualified quickly and start earning quickly. Sometimes it’s not as easy to take the time out of paid work to take a full electrical qualification as it comprises of at least 16 weeks’ worth of formal training. It can be useful to have previous experience, but it’s not compulsory.
Another advantage of taking the domestic installer route is that the courses are short and run really regularly plus the subjects you learn are contained only to Domestic Installations.
You may want to choose this route if you have a job doing something else and you only have a short time to learn, or maybe you are unemployed and need a quick way to earning some money and get yourself on the first rung. We recognise people like you need a helping hand and that’s why we provide these packages.
Using this route means you can start gaining experience and then add to your skills set and qualifications at a later date that suits your personal circumstances.
Dispelling some myths.
Trade Skills 4U is one of the leading providers of this type of qualification package and you have to take the full range of courses to enable you to be a Domestic Installer, we insist on it.
You cannot be a five day electrician with us. These packages are the minimum legal requirement you need to install electrics in a domestic circumstance only.
Trade Skills 4U are the trainers, NICEIC, ELECSA etc are the industry gatekeepers and they will assess your suitability to become a Domestic Installer. If you have the required qualifications and skills, you will pass, if you don’t, you won’t, that’s not our call. What is our call is that we will train you, put you through the relevant tests and assessments to give you the best chance of succeeding. Thousands of people have with Trade Skills 4U and gone on to have very successful careers, now you can be one of them.
If you want to do more than the Domestic Installers route and have the time, then the full NVQ Diploma is for you.
So whatever option you choose, we can help you. Give us a call on 01293 529777 and get qualified and get on with your life!
