Training To Be An Electrician

[granny grump]

I have just been speaking to one of my grandsons who has been looking into training as an electrician. He was looking at a council education website and there was another link to a company offering training. You study at home and go on training courses and have your own mentor. He had a dvd with Tommy Walsh recommending the firm. The cost is £5700 but the offer a payment plan. He has had someone come out to interview him and he is coming back tomorrow but he didn't leave any paper work. He can't remember the name of the firm. Does anyone know anything about them or can you provide a link I'd like to have a look at them

[boxtops]

That's a lot of money, granny, and what qualification do you get at the end of it?

There's an option which many firms are offering now, of Apprenticeships/ Advanced Apprenticeships, where you are employed by the company on a training wage, and (if you are eligible) the Government pays for you to do an NVQ and Apprenticeship in your chosen skill. There's no guarantee of a job at the end but you get the qualification, and I know of several people who've done this and been offered a job in that company when they've finished. You train on the job - rather than going on courses in a theoretical/classroom setting.

I really would explore that sort of avenue first - to lay out nearly £6K with no guarantee of a job at the end of it seems a big risk, and a lot of training companies are out there, who knows what their credentials are? If he could get an Apprenticeship post, they'd pay him, not the other way round!

[granny grump]

Thats what I was thinking boxtops - I just don't like the sound of it. He is 27 so his age may preclude him from the apprenticeships - he is in a dead end job and desperate to get out

[boxtops]

Age isn't an exclusion, granny - the reasons you can't be considered include whether you already have another NVQ, e.g., or whether you have higher qualifications. Have a look here http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/be-an-apprentice.aspx

I would certainly counsel him not to be pressured into signing anything, until he's fully explored all the options available!

[granny grump]

Thank you - he did ring me for advice bless him and I did smell a rat I'll send him that link

[Mosaic]

It sounds to me like you're right to urge caution here. If it's a reputable firm, he needs to take a look at their offices. What's their address - check it out -if it's a PO box forget them.
Sounds like a hard sell tactic is being used on your grandson. If he is desperate to change jobs he is vulnerable to undue persuasion and false promises.
Your local FE college is bound to have courses - why not look there instead? At least you know who you're dealing with.

[Old_Geezer]

I guess universities and colleges do charge for courses, and a recommendation from a celeb isn't necessarily a bad thing, but if one can get training on the job and be paid rather than pay, that would be the better option.

[granny grump]

Thank you all for you feedback

[The Builder]

I have no reason to suspect that the training course is't kosher, Granny, but rather expensive considering it's not linked to any actual employment.

Further Education colleges provide courses, but they're not the only option. There are plenty of independent course providers. Thie is my local one that I used for courses...........

http://www.dcet.co.uk/

There will be others in his area. They can train for the various "modules" that can be added to, to provide necessary training. If no employers are able to offer him anything "on the books" right now, he could begin (self funded) at a training centre, to get him started.

For a lot less than £5,700, he could get some basic training under his belt first. He would then be much more attractive to any possible employer.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Is he any good at maths....this kills off many students if they want to go up to a higher level.

[granny grump]

Thank you - I need to speak to him again before he signs up for anything

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Its been a while but I recon if he did 3 nights a week at a decent college and got his head down he should get his basic qualification for about £1500 and do it within 3 years.

[Just-Jude]

These so called training companies are only interested in screwing you for a lot of money. He'll end up with with some worthless certificate that no employer will recognise. He should avoid them like the plague!

A "celeb" will recommend anything if there's a few quid in it!

[boxtops]

Jude - they're not all like that, but I've come across enough that are keen to take your money, then actually provide you with very little support once you've signed up. Granny's grandson would be far better off in vocational training on the job.

[granny grump]

Thank you all for you all for your help - This is the email conversation that I had with my grandson He is going to look at other options You have all been a big help thank you

'I posted a question on the web site that I use and this was the response that I got I wouldn't sign up with them without exploring other avenues, Go down to the job centre or see what other government agencies offer training. See the item from 'The Builder'. Do a lot more investigating before parting with any money.


Thanks a lot nanny I did have a look for the site and couldn't find it again so when he calls tomorrow I will get it and investigate I did think it sounded abit steep but never looked into it before so had nothing to compare it to. This is why I got your advise :) won't be signing a thing till I explore my options I'll keep you posted super nanny lol xx

Good lad - what did you think of the comments from other people?

They were fair comments and I've looked briefly into Leeds building college as my friend went there for plumbing corse and it's considerably cheaper they have an open day in February so I'll attend that :) the guy phoned me back and I told him I'm going to explore other options before I commit to anything and he wasn't impressed at all kind of made me feel like he was chasing the money! And wouldn't give me his business name! So that's a no go :) thanks for your help xx'