Level 2 evening course College in Berkshire - 1 year.

[rocketmanbkk]

Just signed up for an evening course (2 per week) for 1 year at the local college. £900 all in with materials etc.

Level 2. I can then do the level 3 when passed. Then do the NVQ's after that for Level 2 & 3. It was explained the NVQ's should take a year each but depends on exactly how much work you can get through.

All sounds good. I am not in plumbing at present and 40 yo but do some smaller stuff to help people and fitted my own bathroom with seperate shower etc. so have a bit of experience with some jobs. Can bend a bit, solder a bit etc. but want to know exactly how to measure offsets, crossovers etc.

Looking forward to it.

I'll post back when get into it to let others know.

Good luck to everyone.

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Hi all,

Here is the update...

So, enrolled for the C&G 6128 in late August. Attended college at 6pm last Monday to announcements of whose doing the building services course, all was quiet!

Went up to the classroom and we were all sat down, 27 of us.

We were then hit with the statement that C&G has pulled the 6128/9 for everyone over 19 but offer Access to Building Studies which when we went through the course content is exactly the same with the added air con bit thrown in.

Discussions were had, no issues, progression routes were explained and to our astonishment after the completion of the level 2 course you can then enrol for the NVQ if you are working in the industry 3 or mare days per week but not at level 2 but at level 3.

I was a little aprehensive so called C&G and all was confirmed.

The course content is exactly as the 6128, 3 online exams. Number fo practical tasks also. Looking forward to it.

I have a few jobs already working around my main job but will start slowly to build up confidence and go from there.

I reckon that this time next year I'll be a millionaire (Rodney)!!

Good luck to all.

 

[fuzzy]

Hi all,

Here is the update...

So, enrolled for the C&G 6128 in late August. Attended college at 6pm last Monday to announcements of whose doing the building services course, all was quiet!

Went up to the classroom and we were all sat down, 27 of us.

We were then hit with the statement that C&G has pulled the 6128/9 for everyone over 19 but offer Access to Building Studies which when we went through the course content is exactly the same with the added air con bit thrown in.

Discussions were had, no issues, progression routes were explained and to our astonishment after the completion of the level 2 course you can then enrol for the NVQ if you are working in the industry 3 or mare days per week but not at level 2 but at level 3.

I was a little aprehensive so called C&G and all was confirmed.

The course content is exactly as the 6128, 3 online exams. Number fo practical tasks also. Looking forward to it.

I have a few jobs already working around my main job but will start slowly to build up confidence and go from there.

I reckon that this time next year I'll be a millionaire (Rodney)!!

Good luck to all.

course content not the same, i repea course content NOT THE SAME

go onto C&G site and see for yourself, or see threads i have posted on here about the course

good course dont get me wrong but not the same, it is a taster/stepping stone and nothing more

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Hi Fuzzy, have to disagree there, you do everything that the college taught on the 6128, do a little electrical, little air con but still do the requisite, bending, jointing, hot and cold water installs and decommisions, heating (rads), plus other bits.

The 6128 did this but no elec or air con etc.

Apparently, i say this loosely (!), the college think it could be a better course but stated that this course will provide all the basics as per teh 6128 Tech certificate.

I wa sjust looking through the course material, looking forward to it.

 

[rocketmanbkk]

just to add to avoid arguements! The college stated the way they will teach the new course will be deleivered the same as the 6128. It will cover all the same principles plus 1/2 more.

 

[fuzzy]

Im not guessing here, if you want to blindly think it is the same qual then go ahead. But i am telling you it is not the same course, does not teach the same things, how can a 1 year course in 4 subject areas be the same as a 2 year course in 1 subject area?

BS is elec, H&V, plumbing and refridge

it has 3 theory units. None of the theroy units relate to technical details of 4 said areas, they are basic H&S, enviro and science. it is underpinning knowledge only.

i know what i am on about i assure you, i am 100% correct

 

[rocketmanbkk]

what 2 year course are you talking about then, you've sort of lost me there?

The 6128/9 was a 1 year course and then a further year for he NVQ side of it at level 2.

This course for teh 1st year is teh underpinning knowledge which you mentioned then you can enrol, if you are working in the industry you choose on a number of L3 NVQ's which include Plumbing, H&V, as well as others.

The course that we are following on this new titled couurse is what the college taught for the 6128. That's fact. The Under 19's are doing that , us olds cannot!

 

[rocketmanbkk]

The FE College are offering the L2 Diploma.

The course material concentrates on the plumbing H&V side for the skills as this si what we originally signed up for.
To achieve the
[FONT=CongressSans,Bold][FONT=CongressSans,Bold]Level 2 Diploma in Access to Building Services Engineering[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=CongressSans,Bold][FONT=CongressSans,Bold][/FONT][/FONT], learners must
achieve
[FONT=CongressSans,Bold][FONT=CongressSans,Bold]45 [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=CongressSans,Bold][FONT=CongressSans,Bold][/FONT][/FONT]credits from the following mandatory units.
[FONT=CongressSans,Bold][FONT=CongressSans,Bold]Unit
accreditation
number
City and
Guilds unit
number
Unit title Credit
value
[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=CongressSans,Bold][FONT=CongressSans,Bold][/FONT][/FONT]L/502/8175 105 Understand and demonstrate fundamental
refrigeration and air conditioning operations
5
J/502/8174 106 Understand and demonstrate fundamental electrical
installation operations
5
R/502/8176 107 Understand and demonstrate fundamental heating
and ventilating operations
5
Y/502/8177 108 Understand and demonstrate fundamental plumbing
operations
5
J/602/2479 201 Understand and carry out safe working practices in
Building Services Engineering
10
D/602/2486 202 Understand how to apply environmental protection
measures within Building Services Engineering
4
D/502/8181 203 Understand the roles, responsibilities and procedures
in Building Services Engineering
4
J/602/2496 204 Understand how to apply scientifi



Once learners have successfully completed this qualification they can progress onto any of the
following qualifications

•
2357 Level 3 Diploma in electro-technical technology
6187 Level 2 and 3 NVQ Certificate/Diploma in Refrigeration and air-conditioning
6188 Level 3 NVQ Certificate/Diploma in heating and ventilating
6189 Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing and heating installation

 

[fuzzy]

what 2 year course are you talking about then, you've sort of lost me there?

The 6128/9 was a 1 year course and then a further year for he NVQ side of it at level 2.

This course for teh 1st year is teh underpinning knowledge which you mentioned then you can enrol, if you are working in the industry you choose on a number of L3 NVQ's which include Plumbing, H&V, as well as others.

The course that we are following on this new titled couurse is what the college taught for the 6128. That's fact. The Under 19's are doing that , us olds cannot!

ok your centre did it in one year, all the ones i know delivered it in two years when on an evening

the underpinning knowledge of the BS trade, not the technical detail. The 6129&8 were and are technical detail of the core subject
If your suggesting your centre are running the 6128 but certificating the bs2000 then that is un ethical. you cannot deliver one course but pretend it is something else. id be interested to know who is doing this, pm me if you prefer. If that is fact as you suggest you are being misled. you will not achieve any qualification that suggests you have technical detailed knowledge of either of the 4 BS technologies
you do not have to do this course to enrol on an nvq, you can go straight to nvq
there is much much more in the nvq than the bs2000, the step up from 6128 to nvq was just on site side. the jump from bs2000 to nvq diploma is much much more, you will have several theory units to sit as well as the ones you have done

i know what i am on about, if you dont believe me fine, if you want the facts and honest truth then just ask i will not tell you what you want to hear but the facts, it is for you to then make your decision, but this is not the same content as the 6128 plus more, you are mistaken

 

[fuzzy]

The FE College are offering the L2 Diploma.

•
2357 Level 3 Diploma in electro-technical technology
6187 Level 2 and 3 NVQ Certificate/Diploma in Refrigeration and air-conditioning
6188 Level 3 NVQ Certificate/Diploma in heating and ventilating
6189 Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing and heating installation

this is correct, however, you can enrol on this without the 6128 or 9

you dont do any less wihen enrolling on a direct l3, its always been possible, the issue is you still have to do all the l2 units but dont get a level 2 qual, so there is no benefit
better to enrol on the l2 and get a cert, then enrol on l3

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Fuzzy, your commenst are appreciated. I am going to colleg tomorrow night and I think before it's too late we will al need to have another discussion about what we are doing exactly.

What was said last week in a nutshell is that the college cannot fund rteh 6128 fo rthe 27 over 19's on the evening course. They said that the can fund this course at the level 2 Diploma stage, 1 years course and that what we will learn is the under pinning knwledge needed for a new started etc.

The practical course material we have been given is for the 6128 which as you know goes through the pipe bending, jointing, hopt and cold water system, direct and indrect etc and so on.

I think my questions tomorrow will need to be answered to teh extent that I am satisfied that we will indeed do all fo teh practical that the 6128 involves (no lead work) and that on completion of this L2 Diploma, if working in the industry for at least 3 days per week, we will be able to enrol on one of the aforementioned NVQ's.

Is there anything you think I should be asking? Getting confirmed as at this stage we can still pull out with a full refund?

Thanks

 

[fuzzy]

Honesty is always the best policy, you need to ask them clear and precise questions and expect the same in return

Id ask:

1. What certificate do we get at the end and what does it mean? The answer should be something like, this is a stepping stone certificate, it gives you good underpinning knowledge, it is basic in its content, the certificate carries little weight, however we can build in some additional training on your chosen subject area but you will not receive any certification for this

2. which units will be left to do to complete the NVQ diploma after the BS2000 - from memory there are 11 or 12 in the plumbing nvq diploma, 3 are on site, 3 are done in the bs2000 so you should have about 6 more to do in college plus 3 on site ones.

3. can i do L3 direct. answer should be yes but you still need to do L2 units

my belief is this is a good course but everyone must realise it is basic and widespread, it is designed to be an overview. Do you know the history of the change in content? It came about because too many people did the tech certs only and then became self employed. they also went to employers and clients with a C&G L2/3 in plumbing. This was misleading as they didnt have the full qual which is the nvq. There was also some angry trainees, they paid and completed a good course and C&G (or EAL) only to find at the end that they could not get a trade card or jib card or similar because it was not the full qual.

So, to stop these issues they designed a BS2000. people can get trained and get some knowledge and skills and cannot claim to be a plumber or electrician etc as the course is called 'Access to BS'. It is meant to be titled so nobody is under the impression they have a complete trade qual.

I think it is good, i say go for it, it will be good expereince, but realise what it is

 

[rocketmanbkk]

much appreciated. I for one am under no illusion that I will be qualified to do much whatsoever until I gain experience of proper jobs which will only come in time and out of the classroom. Just one more from me if that's OK as I will ask what you suggest.

One the L2 Diploma in BS2000 is completed and if for example I then enrolled to do the6189 Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing and heating installation and completed this will this then qualify me as a plumbing and heating engineer?

Thanks for taking the time here to explain and assist.

 

[fuzzy]

yes the diploma nvq level 2 and 3 are both recognised plumbing qualifications. you need to be employed to complete them, this is the desirable route

if you have a job you can do the 6189 without bs2000

i would not recommend doing the l3 direct, if you drop out half way through you have nothing, do the level 2 first and get that qual, then go for l3, it is no longer

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Exactly what I was thinking, do L2 then 3.

Thanks again,

I'll update Tues after the course tomorrow.

Cheers

 

[fuzzy]

good luck, i hope it works out for you, im sure this will prove to be a very good course, just do it for the right reasons and know what you are getting. If you know all the facts and its for you then you will enjoy the course and so will the people with you.

I suspect they will be adding in 6128 training to add value to the course, this is fine but they need to let you know this is additional content they have added for value and is not part of the written scheme. If this is the case then you enter with all the facts

 

[fagsanbooz]

fuzzy is right on all counts!!!

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Just an update...

Attended collge yesterday evening. We had a discussion to make sure all isd as expected.

The outcome was we were told about the 4 C&G online exams we have to take. We will cover a unit then complete the online exam an dget result there an dthen, if failed options explaiend. All OK.

There are also 4 assessments that the tutors will carry out which are paper based and will eb face to face questioning. Again after each module is complete will be be given the assessment and results. All OK.

We went down to meet the practical tutor, who seems a very nice chap, he's not interested in college ettiquette etc!!! and just wants to teach us plumbing! Basically, he'll cover all the stuff on the 6128, bending, joining, hot an cold water, rads etc. and also get us into taps and other useful stuff we will be able to use in day to day plumbing. He'll do the assessments for C&G on the practical side. We were all happy.

We also had the progression route explained and if employed can enrol to do the 6189 NVQ L2 and so on. It's what I want so looking forward to it.

Thanks to Fuzzy with comments.

BTW, you know the monument pipe slice (red and yellow that opens up) are they any good? Been offered 15 & 22 mm brand new in packaging for £12 for the pair,. Any thoughts?

Thanks again.

 

[fuzzy]

Just an update...

Attended collge yesterday evening. We had a discussion to make sure all isd as expected.

The outcome was we were told about the 4 C&G online exams we have to take. We will cover a unit then complete the online exam an dget result there an dthen, if failed options explaiend. All OK.

There are also 4 assessments that the tutors will carry out which are paper based and will eb face to face questioning. Again after each module is complete will be be given the assessment and results. All OK.

We went down to meet the practical tutor, who seems a very nice chap, he's not interested in college ettiquette etc!!! and just wants to teach us plumbing! Basically, he'll cover all the stuff on the 6128, bending, joining, hot an cold water, rads etc. and also get us into taps and other useful stuff we will be able to use in day to day plumbing. He'll do the assessments for C&G on the practical side. We were all happy.

We also had the progression route explained and if employed can enrol to do the 6189 NVQ L2 and so on. It's what I want so looking forward to it.

Thanks to Fuzzy with comments.

BTW, you know the monument pipe slice (red and yellow that opens up) are they any good? Been offered 15 & 22 mm brand new in packaging for £12 for the pair,. Any thoughts?

Thanks again.

well i hope it works out for you. Im happeier you are making the correct decision if you are fully informed. Remeber thought it is only an access course and you will not be fully qualified on completion. It is not a pre requisite for 6189. The 6189 will be on site + theory units after access course. The 6128 was not plumbing but H&V, the 6129 is plumbing.

good luck

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Attended the 1st theory last night, getting into it! One disappointment is the lack of tools teh college have, 18 on teh course and 2 hacksaws and 2 heat guns - very poor we all thought. Going to take my own next week as can then get more done.

 

[fuzzy]

let us know how it goes

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Will do, cheers Fuzzy.

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Update, enjoying course, theory stuff pretty basic but OK. Practical, disappointed that the college don't have too many tools, e.g. need to share a hand file with 6, gas torch with 10, not good enough. A questionm the X dimension business, it's like trying to unravel the problems of the universe!!!! Anyone have a simple solution they can put as an example on here please?

Other than that getting back into the swing, good mixed bunch.

Cheers all.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

x dimension is the depth of the fitting that the pipe goes into i.e. from the end to where the pipe stops in the fitting

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Thx, I have done some homework!!

The X dimension is the measurement from for example, the center of a 15mm equal 'T' to the end of the socket where the pipe would enter less the measurement of how far the pipe goes into the fitting. Easy when you have worked out a few but confusing the first time you hear it!

It's something I'll never forget!

Thanks all.