technical certificate level 2

[jono1987]

I know this is probably in the wrong place but i cant post on the courses section as i have not posted 10 times yet, which i anticipate will take me a long time as i have no plumbing knowledge, hence the reason for taking this course.

So

Have any of you done this certificate and what was it like ? what did you think of it ? i have a copy of 11 modules that i will cover on this course but they are only titles for example - cold water stystems, so what would come under this bracket ? - please not the sarcastic answer !! does it go into a lot of detail and will i be competent at the end of it ?

 

[WHPES]

You will learn a lot of theory but you will not be competent at the end. It will teach you the principles of plumbing but it will not on its own enable you to become a plumber. Anyone who suggests that it will is telling porkies.

There's no substitute for practical experience and in the real world no two situations are the same. Even with my experience I still come across the odd situation which I find challenging.

If you wanted to be a plumber you would also need to gain experience and undertake the Level 2 practical assessments (on-the-job).

Think of it as a starting block or foundation.

 

[jono1987]

Thanks, as long as its not a complete waste of time then im happy, im hoping for a career change but i own a house so i dont want to give up my job as i need my salary, this is a part time evening course so i figured its the best way. I am going to try and get some voluntary hours to help me as I know there is no substitute for experience. I just want to make sure that it will give me a good foundation and understanding. Ideally i will find a job as a plumbers mate but these jobs seem few and far between !!!

 

[WHPES]

Look at the following page.

The practical task sheets show you what you will be assessed on.
[DLMURL="http://www.cityandguilds.com/1650.html"]City & Guilds | Qualification | Certificate in Basic Plumbing[/DLMURL]

 

[jono1987]

cheers

 

[WaterTight]

Unless you've paid for the course already, don't pay for the course first. Find work as a plumber's mate first. Then pay for the course. Depending on your luck it can take between a few months and ...well, never to find an offer and it will be useless without it unless you've spent a long time working in related trades, building or whathaveyou and are DIY savvy.

 

[moony]

i could revise for a couple of nights and pass the test. done it when i was doing my second year nvq level 2, some lads had to do re sits, they were the thick ones 😉. piece of cake for anyone within the trade with experience.

like doing your theory without have driving lessons, do'able but i wouldnt let you behind the wheel of a car.

 

[jono1987]

i could revise for a couple of nights and pass the test. done it when i was doing my second year nvq level 2, some lads had to do re sits, they were the thick ones 😉. piece of cake for anyone within the trade with experience.

like doing your theory without have driving lessons, do'able but i wouldnt let you behind the wheel of a car.

You did it while you were doing your nvq 2 ? this qualificatioin is supposed to underpin the nvq with the nvq just proof you have done it on site and out of the classroom is it not ??? i have tried finding work as a plumbers mate but as you may expect they are few and far between. Have a mortgage so cant take apprenticeship route.

Unfortunately i have no experience in any trade and this is a 2 year course in the evening. I understand the theory comment but this does include practical too. I dont undersand why people dsimiss theory i am certainly a person who learns better when i learn why you do it !

 

[moony]

its a part of the nvq matey, its the tech certs exam to prove youve learnt what you learnt in classroom....

to be honest the tech cert is a no brainer imo. the hardest part of the nvq is getting th jobs to cover all the tracking.

i could draw you a s plan system on a piece of paper and youd immediatley know the components where they go in respect to the drawing - but give you an airing cupboard, cwsc and fe cisterns in the attic boiler downstairs and youd struggle to show me what goes where, easy on paper, not so in a house.

the practical you do is running and bending pipes, learning how to do a cross over etc etc. simple stuff that you will need to do with your eyes closed to gain employment with a reputable firm. something the practical on that course will not give you but experience will.

the tech cert doesnt underpin a nvq, the tech cert is merely 2 exams that gives you mutliple choice questions, that you could learn at home by buying the nvq level 2 plumbing book. An employer will be looking for the nvq qualification.

 

[Smcart5]

The problem you don't see is as above, you can't learn this on theory alone, companies don't want to train people if they can avoid it even though the training is creating the very people they want to employ, its a viscous circle that probably won't be broken anytime soon, you just have to be persistent and wait for your chance.

Eventually a vacancy comes up for entry level, i have seen one in british gas in the last year and i have found one self employed guy looking to hire an apprentice as he is getting a large contract next week, good luck

 

[Scottwood75]

Depends where you are doing it. I did my level 2 and had a few practical assessments for every module as well as theory:

Mod 1 - basic pipe bending skills, 90 degrees in 15 and 22 mm, partial and full passover's, bridges, parallel offsets etc

Then soldering with end feed fittings and integral solder ring.

Also some other skills like drilling into tiles, plaster etc

Mod 2 - basic cold water

Put up some guttering and down pipe, also soil and waste pipes, bosses, strap on bosses, using holesaws in soil that kinda thing

Then using a jig, a float operated valve and a tap jig and connecting in copper with end feed fittings all soldered and pressure tested.

Mod 3 basic hot water

Put a cylinder into an airing cupboard type bay with a cold water storage cystern above and had to use machine pulled bends to get through the holes so kinda like getting you used to measuring right and pulling bridges passovers etc right.

Also servicing a tap packing gland, washer etc

Mod 4 - sheet lead weatherings

Learnt to lead weald, where the name plumbing comes from, made a front apron, back gutter, step flashing, lead slate and then performed a patch repair. learnt the tool names, the upstands etc

Mod 5 - low carbon steel

Same as mod 1 but in steal using a hand threading machine and did a single radiator on the wall in steel, pressure tested it etc.

Mod 6 - central heating theory, learnt all about controls etc, also a double radiator in low carbon steel, again pressure tested.

Mod 7- sanitation also a training week for a full bathroom

Mod 8 - installed a full bathroom and radiatpr using a combi boiler jig.

The gola exam, then on to level 3

I missed out some bits as i gotta go but they were just some assessments i did.

 

[jono1987]

Depends where you are doing it. I did my level 2 and had a few practical assessments for every module as well as theory:

Mod 1 - basic pipe bending skills, 90 degrees in 15 and 22 mm, partial and full passover's, bridges, parallel offsets etc

Then soldering with end feed fittings and integral solder ring.

Also some other skills like drilling into tiles, plaster etc

Mod 2 - basic cold water

Put up some guttering and down pipe, also soil and waste pipes, bosses, strap on bosses, using holesaws in soil that kinda thing

Then using a jig, a float operated valve and a tap jig and connecting in copper with end feed fittings all soldered and pressure tested.

Mod 3 basic hot water

Put a cylinder into an airing cupboard type bay with a cold water storage cystern above and had to use machine pulled bends to get through the holes so kinda like getting you used to measuring right and pulling bridges passovers etc right.

Also servicing a tap packing gland, washer etc

Mod 4 - sheet lead weatherings

Learnt to lead weald, where the name plumbing comes from, made a front apron, back gutter, step flashing, lead slate and then performed a patch repair. learnt the tool names, the upstands etc

Mod 5 - low carbon steel

Same as mod 1 but in steal using a hand threading machine and did a single radiator on the wall in steel, pressure tested it etc.

Mod 6 - central heating theory, learnt all about controls etc, also a double radiator in low carbon steel, again pressure tested.

Mod 7- sanitation also a training week for a full bathroom

Mod 8 - installed a full bathroom and radiatpr using a combi boiler jig.

The gola exam, then on to level 3

I missed out some bits as i gotta go but they were just some assessments i did.

And did you find this useful ? has it helped you as some of the other people posting are or at least seem to have the opinion it is not much use.

Thank you for all your feedback it does help, as i said i no there is no substitute for on site experience. However as i said in the original post, I am not in a position to take an apprentice wage, i just think i need to do something to at least show willing to employers. Surely i would be more employable with an employer at least knowing that i am undertaking a technical certificate ??

I am a little confused that you are saying you do this alongside the nvq as the course description says it underpins the nvq giving you the skills to apply to on site situations, it says you must find employment at the end of the 2 year course to complete the nvq.

You have all been of help !!!

 

[moony]

the qualification an employer will look for is the nvq level 3

to get a level 3 you need to do tech certs at level 3 and complete the portfolio of work. to get to level 3 ya need your nvq level 2.
to get level 2 you need to be employed.

you can do your tech cert level 2 - it'll give you an insight and you will find it helpful - may even get some jobs done around your house etc, but your not gonna find a job with it. or if you do it'll be apprentice wages... which you dont want.

try being a 30 year old with a 3 bed house 600 a month, 2 kids, missis 8 months preg, doing a level 3 nvq nearly finished on 165 quid a week. then i'll offer you some sympathy 😉

 

[fuzzy]

and yet it will be gone in a matter of months, the fact they are scrapping the tech cert, what does that tell you?

 

[jono1987]

the qualification an employer will look for is the nvq level 3

to get a level 3 you need to do tech certs at level 3 and complete the portfolio of work. to get to level 3 ya need your nvq level 2.
to get level 2 you need to be employed.

you can do your tech cert level 2 - it'll give you an insight and you will find it helpful - may even get some jobs done around your house etc, but your not gonna find a job with it. or if you do it'll be apprentice wages... which you dont want.

try being a 30 year old with a 3 bed house 600 a month, 2 kids, missis 8 months preg, doing a level 3 nvq nearly finished on 165 quid a week. then i'll offer you some sympathy 😉

Ok ok, im not looking for symapthy i am simply looking for peoples opinion on the technical certificate and exploring the best avenues to enter plumbing while maintaining as much financial stability as possible.

 

[philtheflush]

hello jono ive almost finished doing my tech cert level2 i am sick of people on this forum giving negative advice you probably wont get an apprentaship they say you wont learn anything in college so what are you supposed to do. what you do is go for it get out their and get some jobs thats how you will learn its all about confidence and pre planning good luck matey

 

[Scottwood75]

Basically, I have done my city & guilds levels 2 & 3, but I'm still not a qualified plumber. I now have to register for my NVQ 2 & 3 as to complete and need to prove my work in real life, eg decommissioning a bathroom and commissioning a new one will get me well on my way to completing my level 2, then more evidence is required for my level 3.

I do think it was worth it. I could either get another dead end job or get some skills that help me on my way to becoming a construction professional. I loved my training and the trainers had some awesome stories that made me laugh. also my mate is a gas operative working for Morrison construction so I had additional support there.

As said before, it will give you the skills you need to learn the trade in real life, not in a nice tidy bay where it doesnt matter if your joints leak the first time and you can burn through copper practising machine bends.

Personally I cant wait to find a job and start to gain experience, easier ways to do things and such, also il be doing my ACS as soon as possible too because level 3 technical certificate gives you a great tase of gas in the likes of letby/tightness testing, gas flow rates, free area ventilation required, servicing and fault finding. These were the parts I really enjoyed

Also on the 8th module, when I had installed the bathroom in 3 days, I was quite proud. From not having every used a bending machine or soldered a fitting i had put in a bath, basin and wc along with a radiator using a combi boiler jig, poly pipe under the flooring and copper above. all plumbed in, all wastes put in,pressure tested the first fix plastic and copper, air tested the soil, performance tested the sanitary wear, all from a tiny stub of copper with a valve on in the floor. Everything else (except the shower above) I put in

 

[Dava811]

I am currently doing the Tech Cert in the evening part time, it is not a 2 year course if you want to be a competent plumber, its four years. Which gets you the lvl 2+3 tech cert, and if you can find a job then you will also get your NVQ 2+3. I find the Tech Cert very useful and would definitely give it the thumbs up. Unless you are happy in ur current job, its safe, and u make enough money then why bother?

Just my 2 cents.

 

[helpsy]

I think the plumbing industry is a very interesting job/career to choose and full of changing technology and long term and constant learning. I think that anyone who puts their time/effort and money into this career path should be applauded and not knocked for trying, some will come and go, but what happens when all the old boys(or girls) pack their blow torch away for the last time and there is no qualified/experienced plumbers to take their place?
There is good and bad with all occupations. Surely we should be doing our best to help people getting into this industry without trying to criticise or put them down, after all each and every one of you had to start out just like them!!!
Time and perseverance will prevail.
The Tech certs are the first rung on a long ladder, but you can reach the top, hang in there.
You need to be in it for the long haul and gain valuable on the job knowledge day to day (you will probably in the current climate have to go self employed straight off).It won't be cheap to set up, but with time, passion and dedication , well worth it in the long run.
Good Luck.

 

[jono1987]

Hi all thank you for your responses, especially the positive ones. I have deffinatley made my mind up that this is the way to move forward and am very much looking forward to starting my course next month. Ill keep you all informed !!!

 

[moony]

im not knocking anyone for trying good on them imo, just saying its not easy, and if you want to continue with another job then its nigh on impossible to gain a nvq, if you do want to start at the bottom then the pay is low but you will gain the qualifications the right way, (apprenticeship).

sorry jonno shouldnt of said about wanting sympathy - but i think its good advice saying the tech cert wont get you a job. a nvq will and really it will be level 3 that you need. But i suppose doing your tech cert is a good start, just dont expect it to get you anywhere without the nvq.

 

[fuzzy]

im not knocking anyone for trying good on them imo, just saying its not easy, and if you want to continue with another job then its nigh on impossible to gain a nvq, if you do want to start at the bottom then the pay is low but you will gain the qualifications the right way, (apprenticeship).

sorry jonno shouldnt of said about wanting sympathy - but i think its good advice saying the tech cert wont get you a job. a nvq will and really it will be level 3 that you need. But i suppose doing your tech cert is a good start, just dont expect it to get you anywhere without the nvq.

your advice sounds harsh to a new entrant but it is accurate, how ever difficult it is to read.......... it is accurate