Course To do or Not

[TD85]

Hiya


I posted a thread yesterday regarding looking at re-training as a plumber. I am working at present in a completely different industry and am looking to move out of it. I had someone round to talk to me about courses tonight from a training college. The rep was really good and I had a little test to see if I was "adequate". As far as I am aware I have been offered a place and have 18 months to pass, but most do it in 6-9.
The rep told me about teh qualifications changing next month and that the courses would change. Id get a 6189, BPEC Electric (so I can fit power showers) and BPEC Renewable energy. After this I was advised that they can help TRY to find a job once I pass the first stage (of 6). I was advised that the after I gain these qualifications they arrange for two assesors to visit me on site which if passed mean the City and Guilds I will get become an NVQ. (from my understanding)
What I would like to know is with these qualifications will I get a job or would I really struggle (like a lot of posts i've read). The cost of all this is in excess of £7k so I need to know that this will be a good investmen in my future.

Thanks

TD85

 

[tamz]

Hiya
I had someone round to talk to me about courses tonight from a training college. The rep was really good and I had a little test to see if I was "adequate". As far as I am aware I have been offered a place and have 18 months to pass, but most do it in 6-9.
The rep told me about teh qualifications changing next month and that the courses would change. Id get a 6189, BPEC Electric (so I can fit power showers) and BPEC Renewable energy. After this I was advised that they can help TRY to find a job once I pass the first stage (of 6). I was advised that the after I gain these qualifications they arrange for two assesors to visit me on site which if passed mean the City and Guilds I will get become an NVQ. (from my understanding)
What I would like to know is with these qualifications will I get a job or would I really struggle (like a lot of posts i've read). The cost of all this is in excess of £7k so I need to know that this will be a good investmen in my future.

Rule number 1..........Never believe a word that comes out a salesmans mouth (that is what the someone was.) His wages depend on your gullibility! Bet he even threw in the 50K earnings lol.
Do your research before you spend your cash.

 

[Bartdude]

Hiya


I posted a thread yesterday regarding looking at re-training as a plumber. I am working at present in a completely different industry and am looking to move out of it. I had someone round to talk to me about courses tonight from a training college. The rep was really good and I had a little test to see if I was "adequate". As far as I am aware I have been offered a place and have 18 months to pass, but most do it in 6-9.
The rep told me about teh qualifications changing next month and that the courses would change. Id get a 6189, BPEC Electric (so I can fit power showers) and BPEC Renewable energy. After this I was advised that they can help TRY to find a job once I pass the first stage (of 6). I was advised that the after I gain these qualifications they arrange for two assesors to visit me on site which if passed mean the City and Guilds I will get become an NVQ. (from my understanding)
What I would like to know is with these qualifications will I get a job or would I really struggle (like a lot of posts i've read). The cost of all this is in excess of £7k so I need to know that this will be a good investmen in my future.

Thanks

TD85

Read all that again and digest it.

Those qualifications mentioned aren't worth the paper they're printed on.

You're being mugged off like countless before you. Save your money to pay your mortgage.

 

[fuzzy]

forget the bpec stuff, they are cheap and easy to do, they thro them in to make it look like they are giving you more for your money. bpec quals are not to national occupational standards in renewables so be careful
the nvq is city and guilds, so to say you C&G will become an NVQ doesnt make sense? i think you mean a 6129 will become the nvq, all of which C&G who are the awarding body such as EAL could be so read nothing into the words city and guilds
you mention the 6189 being the qual you will get, if your not employed you cannot gain this qualification, are you paying 7k for a qual that relies on YOU geting a job?

 

[TD85]

forget the bpec stuff, they are cheap and easy to do, they thro them in to make it look like they are giving you more for your money. bpec quals are not to national occupational standards in renewables so be careful
the nvq is city and guilds, so to say you C&G will become an NVQ doesnt make sense? i think you mean a 6129 will become the nvq, all of which C&G who are the awarding body such as EAL could be so read nothing into the words city and guilds
you mention the 6189 being the qual you will get, if your not employed you cannot gain this qualification, are you paying 7k for a qual that relies on YOU geting a job?

So effectively Fizzy you are saying that I need to be in employment, self-employed or working for free to gain exposure to get the qualification, which I am assuming are the two site visits by the NVQ assessors.
I'm not being ignorant here but am realising that the pass is a 6189 which appears to be worthless without two site visits from the NVQ assessors which then turn it turns to a NVQ (which means that I am qualified). So If the site was my own home fitting a new bathroom or kitchen (or both) would that still count and mean that I am qualified if I have a qualified plumber working with me?
And would I be correct in assuming that having spent that last 5 years in the financial Services industry, if i did this course got the qualification. I would still be unable/unlikely to get a job as a plumber?
Also would it be worth working with a qualified plumber but was doing this without taking a wage for a few weeks (which I would be willing to do if I can leave the Financial Services Industry). Would this still make me a plumber after ive been assessed by the NVQ guys?
Obviously if i dont do this course being offered by the college I’m no closer to being a plumber.
Sorry for all the questions but trying to get my head around what I need to do without giving up my current role completely and going into a full time college course and not earning an income at all

 

[GQuigley67]

you'll struggle to get a job its hard enough for experienced guys to get a job the now with NVQs and 10+ years experience, employers are only interested in experience at the moment and a NVQ minimum, and NO ONE is taking anyone on at the moment due to the current climate so i would advise you to spend your money on something else there are far too many guys out there who are qualified but arent working and cant get work

 

[dontknowitall]

The most difficult part about becoming a plumber is finding a job. You can find a job without experience or qualifications but it's very difficult as many people of all ages are looking for these jobs and there are only so many to go round.

If you're happy to pay for your training it will make you more attractive to an employer as it's less cost for his/her business.

The easiest part of becoming a plumber is paying a cheque for a few thousand to a training centre. Many, many people do this. In reality (according to a tiny survey on here a year or so ago) about one in eight of those on a plumbing course actually find work as a plumber (or set up a successful plumbing business). Seven out of eight people on these courses return to their previous jobs/careers.

So, my advice is: find the job first then train for the qualifications while working.

 

[fuzzy]

td85, you need to get 4 visits at l2 nvq and 4 at l3 nvq, then you have to provide a comprehensive port folio at each level, there is alot of work in the update from tc to nvq.
i dont suppose it matters were the work is, as long as its work and can be signed by a qualified plumber who has witnessed all the work.

hope this helps, dont be afraid to ask anything else

 

[TD85]

Right ive read a few posts from other threads and have phoned a few local colleges. One course/college has come up which is very local from a pratical centre point of view. They are telling me that they put me through the 6129 which then progresses to the 6189 NVQ L2 after the relevent assessments. This will still cost £5621

Regarding getting the 6189 it looks obvious to me that you will never be NVQ qualified (or a proper plumber) until you have the practical part and need a job to get it (please correct me if im wrong).
I have spoken to my mate whos dad has offered to let me spend a few days with him to get a feel for the job. As far as im aware hes a one man band but im assuming that , if hes happy with me and I enjoy it and start the course in my own time, he will allow me to use some of the time i spend with him to be assesed by NVQ assessors. DO they spend the whole day for these or is it a couple of hours and is it on completion of a job?
Thanks in advance
TD85

 

[paulnwales]

5 k??? stuff that, it will take you a long time to make that cash back...

 

[fuzzy]

5k at a college? is it a private centre?

there is practical in the 6129 just not on site practical