I am looking for help with my NVQ L2 Maintenance and Fault finding

[OffshoreGas]

Thank you for your comments. I guess I would keep on looking for someone keen to take me on before i get all that done. Im 26 but hey, better late than never. A lot of money down the drain. But as you all said, so many misleading training companies and distant learning courses. Its easy to fall for something too good to be true. Oh well...

There are training providers out there that will put you through the NVQ side of an qualification too.

 

[OffshoreGas]

Unfortunately I have to agree but tell that to the apprentice's that have completed 4 years for hard grafted & know far more technically than the so call engineers they are working with, they only have it as recognition of all that they have achieved !
But then they won't be found out in less than a day on a site.

I also make you right regarding the levels of fraud across the industry & the once proud name of City & Guilds can no longer be trusted & has a lot to answer for IMHO.

However we all carry a responsibility from the plumbing companies who want trained & good Plumbers but don't ever want to train anyone, & those who sign off others work, right through to the colleges & training centres who "sell" the dream with a worthless course.

Oh & the customers who just want to pay bottom dollar for a highly skilled tradesperson!

I can see why a company is cautious in investing in staff training, it’s an expensive hobby and I’m sure most will have experienced an recently qualified trainee jumping ship for more cash etc. I guess you have to foster a sense of family and show those you employ are more than just a number.

 

[Riley]

For me an apprenticeship is the best form of training. Assuming however the employing company has taken the apprentices on with the aim employing. Admittedly some companies seem to use them as a good tax dodge and free labour without investing any time/effort in mentorship.

I take any qualification with a pinch of salt and would generally take a prospective employee (paid) on a few jobs and let them lead the way or set up a simple trade test for them in the corner of the workshop.

I totally agree on the apprenticeship front however I have come across so many apprentice trained persons in the field and they do things dangerously wrong and will use the excuse that’s how I was always taught. The NVQ or college side gives structure and perhaps scientific or technical background which sometimes (not always) an older plumber who is set in his ways does not bestow, for example the most up to date regs or practices. I think it’s a balancing act

 

[OffshoreGas]

I totally agree on the apprenticeship front however I have come across so many apprentice trained persons in the field and they do things dangerously wrong and will use the excuse that’s how I was always taught. The NVQ or college side gives structure and perhaps scientific or technical background which sometimes (not always) an older plumber who is set in his ways does not bestow, for example the most up to date regs or practices. I think it’s a balancing act

Completely agree, I didn’t realise you could do an apprenticeship that wasn’t day release? A year in a classroom/training centre to learn the basics then a couple of years split between collage/site is an ideal in my opinion.

No one really likes maths/science etc but it’s surprising how much you can benefit from some basic understating of both in any form of practical trade.

 

[Riley]

I don’t think technically you can but when I was at college there was one fella who was also an apprentice but never got released to attend college. He was good at the practical but literally couldn’t grasp anything like regs, pipe sizing calcs, safe working practices etc my point is that had he been in college then he’d have been helped with these things. In ignoring the classroom stuff the poor sod essentially limited himself to pipefitting and nothing else because he didn’t have the knowledge to back up his practical ability. I think in essence the whole process needs an overhaul as there are too many people getting supposedly recognised qualifications and not actually having the skill set to back it up

 

[chris watkins]

Thank you for your comments. I guess I would keep on looking for someone keen to take me on before i get all that done. Im 26 but hey, better late than never. A lot of money down the drain. But as you all said, so many misleading training companies and distant learning courses. Its easy to fall for something too good to be true. Oh well...

I feel for you Nick & yes please keep on looking for a employer, 26 is not too old you have just got to go on selling yourself some employers prefer an older self-starter, maybe try getting a job as a Plumbers mate if you can't get an apprenticeship. Lots of work still going on in the city if you can find the companies doing the work.
All the very best Chris

 

[chris watkins]

No one really likes maths/science etc but it’s surprising how much you can benefit from some basic understating of both in any form of practical trade.

Once it is "applied" it become a whole different ball game or at least it is for me, after all it is the key that allows us to find things out & understand what is going on.

 

[Riley]

Understanding it and applying it is when the proverbial penny drops

 

[Nick1992]

I feel for you Nick & yes please keep on looking for a employer, 26 is not too old you have just got to go on selling yourself some employers prefer an older self-starter, maybe try getting a job as a Plumbers mate if you can't get an apprenticeship. Lots of work still going on in in the city if you can find the companies doing the work.
All the very best Chris

Thanks Chris!