Qualifications

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  • #6461
    Lawrence
    Participant

    This is on the back of a post that Kevin made mentioning 16 th edition ,And also on the back of a conversation I had with a Gas training / assesment centre
    how many people carry qualifications ?and what are they ?
    I had a conversation with an assesment centre Re Gas training ,Who were asking me what trade quali’s I have ,When I responded no specific trade quali’s only a city & guilds in electrical engineering ,I was told “oh you need a plumbing qualification” so that blew me out of the water ,But she pressed me on the specific domestic appliance engineering aspect and seemed surprised that none existed
    also If the rumours that persist about electrical work going the same way as Gas i.e a regaulatory body being put in place and relevant qualifications being required to work on electrical appliances become fact ,how are people expected to come up to standard ? Retraing perhaps ,college courses etc,etc.. Where do we find the time and money to do them ?

    food for thought
    Lawrence

    #117759
    kwatt
    Keymaster

    Re: Qualifications

    There are DA NVQ’s as far as I am aware, a program instigated by DASA.

    However, I have a few issues with that, as you may have suspected. 😉

    For one, why does no-one ask for it? For two, where are these courses held and, for three what is the relevence to my business given “one”.

    Answer, no relevance and therefore no use and, into the bargain there is no scope to profit by sending trainees or engineers on such a course if no-one cares about it. Frankly, the time is better spent in the field learning the job instead of outdated information in a classroom.

    K.

    #117760
    Penguin45
    Participant

    I got ‘O’ level physics 30 years ago – does that count?

    East Driffield College do a DA course, and Graham Dixon does a private one in Hull.

    Still can’t beat going out and doing it though.

    Chris.

    #117761
    sparkey
    Participant

    Re: Qualifications

    Penguin wrote

    Still can’t beat going out and doing it though.

    Kwatt wrote

    Frankly, the time is better spent in the field learning the job instead of outdated information in a classroom.

    Having had experience of so called ‘qualified’ engineers leaving training establishment in Leicester found they had could quote chapter & verse about the theory but had difficulty in opening the tool box, I agree with both of you that ‘hands on’ experiance in the field is the way to go.
    Sparkey

    #117762
    Penguin45
    Participant

    So, the logical step would have to be recognised field trainers who can grade newbies work – how can that be done? If we finish up as regulated as CORGI, somewhere down the line they’ve got to recognise the senior hands and maybe say “They’re qualified”.

    With the scale of the industry today, there would be no possible way we could all be hauled in for testing or training – business would stop!

    Affiliation with local tech colleges might be a good start – if we could get appliance repairs recognised as a valid career or trade in the first place!

    I think this what the Americans call a “buddy system”. Knowing our luck (and our government) we could no doubt finish up with six months practical experience and then a bloody expensive six month training course.

    See what happens I suppose.

    Chris.

    #117763
    RS
    Participant

    Re: Qualifications

    When I started 32 years ago the only training you could get was with someone who was already in “the trade” my mentor had done it all so to speak washer rentals, TV repairs and rentals and owt else he could make brass on. He was a real character who taught me so much but he only did twin tubs so anything else had to be learned by trial and error (believe me plenty of error’s).

    But as with any trade we talked to others leaned from their mistakes and successes and got on with the job there is no training course that can give you the experience that chatting with other engineers and sharing your problems can give. On the job training is imperative it is not just doing the job it is also dealing with customers and that you can’t get in a classroom.

    Maybe any body set up to regulate this trade could say at least 5 years on the job classes you as “qualified”

    Richard S.

    #117764
    Penguin45
    Participant

    Good post RS. The beauty of UKW is you get to share your mistakes with the whole country!

    Welcome on board.

    Chris.

    #117765
    streetlighter
    Participant

    Re: Qualifications

    Hi all
    I am at present at collage doing my c&g 2381 course and exam.
    This I need because I wish to do a few wiring jobs after jan 1st, so I would like to be part p registerd.
    You could do fitting changes in most rooms but it looks like kitchin work is going to have to be certified like corgi.
    Yes even just changing a socket face.
    I am lead to beleve that anyone one in any electricy trade should have c&g 2381 under their belt.
    I would recomend you go to your local collage as mine does the course and exam for £100.00 as apose to iee charge £ 616.00 + £100 for the exam.
    This is for electrical instalations but we should be aware of electrical safety when reparing appliances.
    Boring I know 😥

    paul

    #117766
    philfish
    Participant

    Re: Qualifications

    can anyone please clarify this part p into laymans terms please?will it become like the acs/gorgi will it be policed the same do we have to have it now? how long will it last 5yrs? i hope not aleady have to do my gas and oil once every 5yrs to do the electrics aswell i would never get out of the college! does it mean we will have to certify work carried out even if its a minor repair? soon all we will be doing is paperwork (redtape) or training all the time and not getting on with the job that we are meant to be doing! 👿 👿 👿

    #117767
    kwatt
    Keymaster

    If you hunt back in the General Forum I put up a big screed of stuff last year on what it’s all about.

    K.

    #117768
    philfish
    Participant

    Re: Qualifications

    thanks for that ken 😉 but the sad thing is basically if we for example install a cooker really we should have this because its basically hard wired and in the kitchen and also these washer/dishwashers that are wired into fused spurs i supppose that i should go and get it 👿 just started doing a bit of work for a kitchen company installing gas hobs etc kitchen fitters do all the electricall work moveing sockets/lights etc but sounds like that might stop and you never know might get some extra work 😉 they pay good rates dont like doing that kind of stuff but if it keeps the wolves from the door ill do it!

    #117769
    Penguin45
    Participant

    Re: Qualifications

    Consider what we are:

    Mechanical engineer
    Electrical engineer
    Electronics engineer
    Hydraulics engineer
    Gas engineer
    Electrician
    Plumber
    Kitchen fitter
    Metal worker
    Social worker
    Detective
    Cleaner
    Salesman

    Now we have left the customer’s house and gone home, where we become the office manager, invoicer, purchase clerk, tax collector, filing clerk, statement generator, record keeper, debt collector, typist, telephonist and if there’s any time left – Dad.

    Now tell me a suitable way to come up with a suitable qualification for that little lot!

    As an aside, no-one gets a qualification for performing THE most responsible, danger ridden task of the entire human race – bringing up the family!

    Not meant too seriously, just to point out the scope of things.

    Chris.

    #117770
    streetlighter
    Participant

    Re: Qualifications

    Hi all

    Understood Cris.
    The only reason I am doing the 2381 is because it does to cover your back a bit if problems arise.
    for insurance purposes ete.
    Of course at £100 it does seem a easy feather in my cap.
    and if I want to get part p in the future. ie if appliances keep getting cheaper and the repairs fade away like tv & vid stuff has.

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