Iv done smart meters since 21. I’m now 29 and doing a weekend course. Can’t believe how much I already know with Competence and how much I never even knew about. Just on my level 3 and everything is starting to make sense. Just left my job notice ends this week and going to do some solar and ev with a friend and gonna do what ever improver/ mate work I have to too fill in my portfolio. I will start my own company once I got some good experience. Can’t wait for what the future has in store
Ok I have looked up the Black ECS card. It's a Construction Management qualification. Not as implied here an Electrical higher knowledge More power to anyone pushing into a Managers role but this doesn't appear to increase tech abilities. Surveys and Health and Safety are likely to be taught not Electrical science or practices. Happy to be put right if this is inaccurate. I'm very keen on education and adding knowledge providing it's clear what's on topic and what's related content only
Quit a decent office job and retrained to be an electrician at 36 :) Part time self employed now. Definitely been interesting so far! The field seems much more structured in the UK though, with these cards, apprentice/journeyman status etc. (Belgium here)
My background is electrical wholesale management. Currently doing my 2365 level 2&3 at the weekends as I believe there's a better future in the installation and design side than the wholesale side. I've got a very good range of product knowledge and good relations with contractors. Hoping that when I finish my level 2&3 I can combine those skills with my commercial skills to win work for a contractor on materials quoting and also get the experience in installation to achieve my level 3 NVQ. I'm in my early 30s and my goal over the next 5 years is to qualify with a gold card, get my installation experience up to scratch and set up my own contracting business whilst trying to juggle the mortgage and family life.
you are doing brilliant! I was looking for something else and ended up here but I hope you or anyone seeing this comment will be able to point me in the right direction. I have started my 2365 level 2 this year and will be finishing it around April/May next year. Then I have to do level 3 and I know after doing two years I will still not be qualified will have to do NVQ 18th edition and what not!! I know to get to a gold card I need to get to on site as early as possible so I am checking job sites and they all want trainee electrician ecs card but I can’t get that without an employer 🤦♂️ I am nearly 40 and I don’t wana be doing courses till I am 60 😂😂 I need to get it done so I am wondering if anyone has an idea on how to get into employment at the very latest in next 4 months when I complete my level 2. Regards, Mo
23 years working in entertainment, but fancied a switch up for a while now. Completed my level two at college last year, during the lockdowns. All the time at home gave me the opportunity to really get my head around the fundamentals, pass my all my exams and build confidence. This then allowed me to attain my ECS ‘Electrical Labour’ Status. Start my Level 3 next month. Bought my the regs last week and began revising with an aim to sitting the exam in a year (Q. Is one year enough prep time to get exam ready?). Exciting journey, HARD work, but absolutely loving it! Difficult part seems to be getting that real world experience, but working on my CV now and putting the feelers out all the time. People seem receptive if you can show commitment to the industry, which I think passing those initial exams give you. I’m 36 and would recommend it to anybody who is a little uncertain and looking for a change in their working life. P.S. Love the channel, a great resource- watch it more than Netflix 👍
Learning is all about the individuals. There are 10 year sparks who are shocking and 2 year sparks who are fantastic, all about the learners' capabilities and knowledge
Great interview really enjoyed it.The black JIb card. You can get without even being qualified I know loads of sparks that I’ve got the black one without having NVQ level three.All y ou need to do is the health and safety course.
This lad has done extremely well getting himself retrained and more power to him.However the tone of Gary's interview was that somehow the Black card is above a Gold Card in the Electrical Qualification status. There are lots of way to improve your Electrical knowledge but Site Management and Safety of site guys is not one of them. Go for your Approved ticket, or 2391 ,or Technician exams or sidestep into an HNC for Engineering maybe, if you want to go deeper into the Science or Technical aspects of what we do. Any of these things are listed on the back of your Gold Card if your able to get there.
I didn't finish my apprenticeship 14 years ago due to reasons,I got level 2 nvq but I continued working in the industry. I got my 17th edition and 2391 off my own back. But then I began working in special effects but with electrical bias. I do want to get my nvq3 it's quite hard to get in my position now though
I trained through JTL and with JIB but didn't replace my Gold card for years as I was no longer working on construction sites and only working on social housing so at the time it wasn't needed. The only reason I renewed it is because the Company I work for said everyone must have CSCS card and the gold card being the ECS equivalent.
I knew about the Black card after I had to replace my Gold card because of the date earlier this year, it looks like the black card is for Management which I guess could include electrical Qualifying supervisors counter signing EICR'S. What gets me with the Gold card is I had to do a health and safety assessment as that had ran out but I had already done health and safety training modules with certificates for the company I work for just a few weeks before to update records but couldn't use them to update the ECS health and safety assessment.
Yeah they do that with the H&S assessments. Making you do it again to get the card despite the health and safety in your course. The good thing is the ECS H&S assessment is pretty straightforward, so long as you use common sense, process of elimination and a decent understanding of the terminology/relevant laws.
Great interview and a great channel. Well done on becoming an electrician. Just a question, was you required to do the AM2 practical as I thought a learner/apprentice couldn't get a gold card without this. Thanks
good vid , 1 question - i qualified via jib apprentaship in 95 236 part 1-2 am2 , i dropped out of the game , 2023 recently i wanted to get back into the electrician game , i opened a ecs account and put my national insurance number in to the ecs site and they confirmed i was eligible for a gold card !! which i got , problem is i dont have any experience in the modern game and dont want to chance it , so i asked a few sparky people if i could go on site as an improver to slowly get back in the game, i was told that esc will strip me of the gold card if i do that , do you have a any info on this situation ?
I'm aiming for a gold card even if I don't end up using it. Just found out about the black card from this video but I don't think that will be something I'm interested in. Maybe just for bragging rights but apart from that.... Fair play to the geeza he did well glad his hard work paid off
I’m an approved electrician with my gold card. I have also passed my lv3 test and inspection and my level 4 design and verification. Also passed my iosh managing safely. Does this mean I can apply for a black card?
not sure, I believe the theory in the Level 3 electrical installation overlaps with engineering a fair bit. Perhaps you might be able to go straight to level 3 electrical course. But then again maybe not because the level 2 give you the foundation of knowledge and practical assessments. Ask your local college I would say. But an engineering background will certainly make the theory segments easier.
So with the qualifications u have now,i know ever couple of years u have to re take change of edition but other than that can u just get a gold card ever few years for the rest of your working life without retraining
Got my level 3 technical diploma, tried ringing around companies and they don't want to take people who don't drive like myself but all I need is an opportunity to join a firm as an electricians mate and hopefully for them to put me through my NVQ. Maybe someone out there from Nottingham sees this and could help me out. Thanks in advance
Well if you've been given feedback it's because you don't drive , ring them up an say you would like an interview anyway... Tell them if that's the only thing holding me back ill be in touch on the day I pass My test and have my car and go from there . If not, don't wait round for an apprenticeship , get your level 2 and 3 college side out the way and then sign up to electrical/construction agencies in your area and be ready to take what ever job comes up
Side note: before you start work on site you'll need to obtain an ecs card give them a ring and they'll tell you which one to go for , probably electrical labourer to start off with
If you have not done a level 3 qualification before they are fully funded under the government skills for life programme, you would obviously still need to be in work to do the nvq but I’m pretty sure you would be more attractive to employers if you tell them you already have the means to fund your nvq yourself
Should talk about the folks doing the design work as well, end of the day we are all a big team and safety is priority (some cowboys on the other hand....)
Black Card ? Never heard of it. What is it and is it a weakening of an already challenging area for people to know who is and who is not actually qualified and registered to carry out work?
Doesn't mean shit getting level 2, 3 and 2391 test and inspect. Without that practical experience that colleges don't give you, you're fucked. Colleges are very good at teaching the very very basics of being a domestic electrician but the rest, unless you can get someone to teach you all of it over a year or 2, which is hard to do, you won't get anywhere.
Retraining at 25 and making a success of it 🙌🏻.
Retraining at 58 😂😉😂
Lovely interview and great to hear a story of someone coming into the trade as an older learner. 👍👏👏👏
Iv done smart meters since 21. I’m now 29 and doing a weekend course. Can’t believe how much I already know with Competence and how much I never even knew about. Just on my level 3 and everything is starting to make sense. Just left my job notice ends this week and going to do some solar and ev with a friend and gonna do what ever improver/ mate work I have to too fill in my portfolio. I will start my own company once I got some good experience. Can’t wait for what the future has in store
So power cor company helped you, wow we need more companies like these
Ok I have looked up the Black ECS card.
It's a Construction Management qualification. Not as implied here an Electrical higher knowledge
More power to anyone pushing into a Managers role but this doesn't appear to increase tech abilities.
Surveys and Health and Safety are likely to be taught not Electrical science or practices.
Happy to be put right if this is inaccurate.
I'm very keen on education and adding knowledge providing it's clear what's on topic and what's related content only
Quit a decent office job and retrained to be an electrician at 36 :) Part time self employed now. Definitely been interesting so far!
The field seems much more structured in the UK though, with these cards, apprentice/journeyman status etc. (Belgium here)
My background is electrical wholesale management. Currently doing my 2365 level 2&3 at the weekends as I believe there's a better future in the installation and design side than the wholesale side. I've got a very good range of product knowledge and good relations with contractors. Hoping that when I finish my level 2&3 I can combine those skills with my commercial skills to win work for a contractor on materials quoting and also get the experience in installation to achieve my level 3 NVQ. I'm in my early 30s and my goal over the next 5 years is to qualify with a gold card, get my installation experience up to scratch and set up my own contracting business whilst trying to juggle the mortgage and family life.
you are doing brilliant!
I was looking for something else and ended up here but I hope you or anyone seeing this comment will be able to point me in the right direction.
I have started my 2365 level 2 this year and will be finishing it around April/May next year.
Then I have to do level 3 and I know after doing two years I will still not be qualified will have to do NVQ 18th edition and what not!!
I know to get to a gold card I need to get to on site as early as possible so I am checking job sites and they all want trainee electrician ecs card but I can’t get that without an employer 🤦♂️
I am nearly 40 and I don’t wana be doing courses till I am 60 😂😂
I need to get it done so I am wondering if anyone has an idea on how to get into employment at the very latest in next 4 months when I complete my level 2.
Regards,
Mo
23 years working in entertainment, but fancied a switch up for a while now. Completed my level two at college last year, during the lockdowns. All the time at home gave me the opportunity to really get my head around the fundamentals, pass my all my exams and build confidence. This then allowed me to attain my ECS ‘Electrical Labour’ Status. Start my Level 3 next month. Bought my the regs last week and began revising with an aim to sitting the exam in a year (Q. Is one year enough prep time to get exam ready?). Exciting journey, HARD work, but absolutely loving it! Difficult part seems to be getting that real world experience, but working on my CV now and putting the feelers out all the time. People seem receptive if you can show commitment to the industry, which I think passing those initial exams give you. I’m 36 and would recommend it to anybody who is a little uncertain and looking for a change in their working life. P.S. Love the channel, a great resource- watch it more than Netflix 👍
Great story - Thanks for sharing and keep up the hard work it will pay off! 👍
Black cards are for any tradesmen with the SSSTS who can project manage
31 and just finishing 2nd year of apprenticeship. best decision for sure
Learning is all about the individuals. There are 10 year sparks who are shocking and 2 year sparks who are fantastic, all about the learners' capabilities and knowledge
Great interview really enjoyed it.The black JIb card. You can get without even being qualified I know loads of sparks that I’ve got the black one without having NVQ level three.All y ou need to do is the health and safety course.
Thanks for your input Midfield General 👍🏻
This lad has done extremely well getting himself retrained and more power to him.However the tone of Gary's interview was that somehow the Black card is above a Gold Card in the Electrical Qualification status. There are lots of way to improve your Electrical knowledge but Site Management and Safety of site guys is not one of them.
Go for your Approved ticket, or 2391 ,or Technician exams or sidestep into an HNC for Engineering maybe, if you want to go deeper into the Science or Technical aspects of what we do. Any of these things are listed on the back of your Gold Card if your able to get there.
I think you can congratulate yourself there! Very well done! 👍
i renewed my Black Card last year and for the first time in 15 years i had to send my IET membership , IOSH and LCGI certificates to renew .
The best electrician in the world! 🤩
I didn't finish my apprenticeship 14 years ago due to reasons,I got level 2 nvq but I continued working in the industry. I got my 17th edition and 2391 off my own back. But then I began working in special effects but with electrical bias. I do want to get my nvq3 it's quite hard to get in my position now though
Fingers crossed be qualified for 21
I trained through JTL and with JIB but didn't replace my Gold card for years as I was no longer working on construction sites and only working on social housing so at the time it wasn't needed.
The only reason I renewed it is because the Company I work for said everyone must have CSCS card and the gold card being the ECS equivalent.
JTL are awful in my opinion. Nothing but hassle and lack luster training/support.
@@PheonixHDz it was back in 1989 when I did my apprenticeship through JTL, I wasn't aware of anything else back then and no Internet at the time
Great interview, great electrician journey!
I knew about the Black card after I had to replace my Gold card because of the date earlier this year, it looks like the black card is for Management which I guess could include electrical Qualifying supervisors counter signing EICR'S.
What gets me with the Gold card is I had to do a health and safety assessment as that had ran out but I had already done health and safety training modules with certificates for the company I work for just a few weeks before to update records but couldn't use them to update the ECS health and safety assessment.
Yeah they do that with the H&S assessments. Making you do it again to get the card despite the health and safety in your course. The good thing is the ECS H&S assessment is pretty straightforward, so long as you use common sense, process of elimination and a decent understanding of the terminology/relevant laws.
I’ve got nvq lvl 1,2 &3 electrical installation HNC&HND EEE and EEE degree but I’ve never worked any electrical job and no card either
Great content. The obsession with 4 year apprenticeships is misplaced.
Good job Carl!
Brilliant video Gaz!!
Great interview and a great channel. Well done on becoming an electrician. Just a question, was you required to do the AM2 practical as I thought a learner/apprentice couldn't get a gold card without this.
Thanks
Pretty sound it counts as part of level 3 nvq
the am2 its the last thing you want to do before you finish your nvq, you should be basically a electrician at this point
Can international students apply for this card?
Great interview 😎
I have lv2 lv3 18th edition, inspection and testing, sssts going now for nvq am2.
Will I be able to get a black card?
good vid , 1 question -
i qualified via jib apprentaship in 95 236 part 1-2 am2 , i dropped out of the game , 2023 recently i wanted to get back into the electrician game , i opened a ecs account and put my national insurance number in to the ecs site and they confirmed i was eligible for a gold card !! which i got , problem is i dont have any experience in the modern game and dont want to chance it , so i asked a few sparky people if i could go on site as an improver to slowly get back in the game, i was told that esc will strip me of the gold card if i do that , do you have a any info on this situation ?
I'm aiming for a gold card even if I don't end up using it. Just found out about the black card from this video but I don't think that will be something I'm interested in. Maybe just for bragging rights but apart from that....
Fair play to the geeza he did well glad his hard work paid off
Well done Kyle
I’m an approved electrician with my gold card. I have also passed my lv3 test and inspection and my level 4 design and verification. Also passed my iosh managing safely. Does this mean I can apply for a black card?
Best people to ask are the JIB
Think
Got to be approved for 5 years
If I complete my engineering level 3, can I transfer into electrical role slightly quicker, or a shortcut?
not sure, I believe the theory in the Level 3 electrical installation overlaps with engineering a fair bit. Perhaps you might be able to go straight to level 3 electrical course. But then again maybe not because the level 2 give you the foundation of knowledge and practical assessments.
Ask your local college I would say. But an engineering background will certainly make the theory segments easier.
So with the qualifications u have now,i know ever couple of years u have to re take change of edition but other than that can u just get a gold card ever few years for the rest of your working life without retraining
Got my level 3 technical diploma, tried ringing around companies and they don't want to take people who don't drive like myself but all I need is an opportunity to join a firm as an electricians mate and hopefully for them to put me through my NVQ. Maybe someone out there from Nottingham sees this and could help me out. Thanks in advance
Well if you've been given feedback it's because you don't drive , ring them up an say you would like an interview anyway...
Tell them if that's the only thing holding me back ill be in touch on the day I pass My test and have my car and go from there .
If not, don't wait round for an apprenticeship , get your level 2 and 3 college side out the way and then sign up to electrical/construction agencies in your area and be ready to take what ever job comes up
Side note: before you start work on site you'll need to obtain an ecs card give them a ring and they'll tell you which one to go for , probably electrical labourer to start off with
If you have not done a level 3 qualification before they are fully funded under the government skills for life programme, you would obviously still need to be in work to do the nvq but I’m pretty sure you would be more attractive to employers if you tell them you already have the means to fund your nvq yourself
I'm in the same predicament mate, even same area lmao
Should talk about the folks doing the design work as well, end of the day we are all a big team and safety is priority (some cowboys on the other hand....)
Not an electrician but I retrained and went to college at 40 and now a IMI Level 3 light vehicle technician (Mechanic)
So what is an easy card?
🤦🏻♂️
You just stick to Christmas and Birthday cards mate.
Black Card ? Never heard of it. What is it and is it a weakening of an already challenging area for people to know who is and who is not actually qualified and registered to carry out work?
big sites need the supervisor to have a black card, its only for your supervisor/boss
wow I've been a commercial electrician about 18 years never heard of a black card 🤷♂️
Doesn't mean shit getting level 2, 3 and 2391 test and inspect. Without that practical experience that colleges don't give you, you're fucked. Colleges are very good at teaching the very very basics of being a domestic electrician but the rest, unless you can get someone to teach you all of it over a year or 2, which is hard to do, you won't get anywhere.
More money from sparks to the JIB, what next!
Jib ain’t worth the card it’s printed on,,waste time all it is a money making scheme keep erm in new Audi cars,,,
I have never heard of a black card
Neither had Gaz