Suitable C&G course for experienced tech

[gareth]

A question for those of you with more experience of academia than I ....

 

I'm thinking about taking some sort of C&G examination, to consolidate and formalise the experience that I've collected over twelve years of playing with electricity for a living. I was thinking that C&G2381 might be a good place to start - that would get me up to speed with the 16th Edition, right? Then maybe, if I have the time at some point in the future, back it up with a 2391? Not quite sure, really ... if anyone has any other suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them.

[themadhippy]

have you got any other electrical qualifactions? might be worth having a look at c+g 236

[gareth]

have you got any other electrical qualifactions? might be worth having a look  at c+g 236

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nah, no other electrical quals - a degree in computer systems engineering and many years of electrical experience!

 

236 - isn't that a two-year course? I simply haven't got time for that. My local college is offering C&G2381 as a ten week course, one two-hour evening session per week - that's about as much as I can afford to commit to time-wise at the moment, and should fit in reasonably well with current work plans for the autumn (when the course runs). I figured that 2381, while not as detailed or in-depth as 236 (or is it 2360 these days? Never quite sure), but it'll get me a piece of paper to say that I'm officially qualified to IEE 16th Edition, which would be quite sufficient for the time being.

[jamienip]

Right... having gone through all this recently, I hope I can offer a helping hand.

 

http://www.southampton-city.ac.uk/

 

This is website for the local college in southampton where I did my recent electrical course (2381) (obviously a bit far afield for yourself gareth, but should give you a good idea of what you should be able to find elsewhere).

 

The C&G 2381 (BS7671, 16th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations) was a 3 day course (9am-5pm), with a 2 hour computer based multiple guess exam the following week. (around £350, which includes regs books and guides, which you can keep)

 

The C&G 2391 (Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations) involves a written exam and practical work which is moderated, I think 3/4 days plus exam. (around £300)

 

C&G 2360 is a two year full time course, Year one : Part one, Year two : Part Two. (this is quite expensive course, and takes alot of time)

 

C&G 2377 is basically a pat testing course which is around £150, one day plus exam.

 

 

Although the above are useful, neither will make you "qualified", if you wish to carry ou t domestic work, you still need apply for Part P, all explaioned here:

 

http://www.niceic.org.uk/partp/partpindex.html

 

Its all very costly, although I beleive you do not need to have 2360 to register for part P as long as you have proof from your employer of your term of service, and (or) of your practical ability. (further reading of their site will uncover this)

 

please anybody correct anything I have not explained properly.

 

HTH,

 

James

[gareth]

Thanks, Jamie - useful stuff.

 

I'm not interersted in getting Part P at the moment, I just want to get some sort of widely-recognised 16th Edition certification, so I reckon 2381 is the way forward initially. I'll have to have a look around my local colleges to see if anyone's offering it as a 3-day block type of course as per your example, rather than a 10-week evening course. 2391 and 2377 are also looking fairly attractive as followups.

[Jivemaster]

Look into all the options and all the places. I have a degree in chemistry but found I couldn't afford 236 full time so looked carefully and found it as a distance learning package and you do year one then year two in your own time with only a couple of weeks attendance in total. Also I found Paddington college doing the theatre tech C&G 18xx as a full time BUT they accept that their students will be already freelancing and the coll will provide notes for missed lectures! also they can get you 90% exemption from 236 and they do the top up modules so there is 236 and 18xx part time all in one course.

 

As you have the practical experience a fast distance learn will get you where you want with minimum lost working days. Swindon college said their fastest 236 was 8 months complete all parts inc assessment. That does demand some dedication though,