Plumbing/electrics qualifications

[Matt0029]

Have any other plumbers thought of getting in to electrics? If so how have you done it/what qualifications. I have looked at the city and guilds level 2 diapolma in electrics. The only thing putting me off is the health and safety sections how to put ladders up ect. And the section communication within the building trade. So 2 of the 5 sections I have already covered in my nvq level 3 in plumbing. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Why is it putting you off? because you’ve done them?

 

[SimonG]

Might be worth dropping a message to @Murdoch on here.

 

[Matt0029]

Why is it putting you off? because you’ve done them?

Because its quiet an expensive course and 2/5s of the course I have studied already with my plumbing level 2/3

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Because its quiet an expensive course and 2/5s of the course I have studied already with my plumbing level 2/3

You could always speak to whoever is delivering the course, see if they will knock money off for this aspect, though I wouldn’t hold your breath.

 

[Last Plumber]

Because its quiet an expensive course and 2/5s of the course I have studied already with my plumbing level 2/3

What kind of electrical work are you likely to get involved with?
Are you not covered for a certain amount by your level 3?

 

[Murdoch]

I really don’t understand why you would want to add electrics. Round here plumbers are like hens teeth ….

 

[Deleted member 120897]

I really don’t understand why you would want to add electrics. Round here plumbers are like hens teeth ….

Maybe sparks are like hens teeth where Matt is?

 

[Chuck]

You could always speak to whoever is delivering the course, see if they will knock money off for this aspect, though I wouldn’t hold your breath.

The formal mechanisms for this are called Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) and/or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Administrators are not always up on the details so try to get the proposal referred to a senior tutor or course leader.

 

[Knappers]

I did a full scope part-p course maybe 6 years ago and because I wasn't doing any calcs on a regular basis I'd forgotten how to do any of the tests within 6 months - complete waste of time.
I've also got every gas ticket under the sun and that's a waste of time too, just a big financial burden on ACS re-tests and too many nuances to remember so im often checking regs.
The system is setup for us to specialise and I'd recommend you go with that and not spread yourself too thin.
If you find a really good sparks and pair up then you can both crossover a bit but still be sht hot at your specialties!

 

[Deleted member 120897]

I did a full scope part-p course maybe 6 years ago

I’m not sure that part p can be offered as a course as part p is a building regulation.

 

[Matt0029]

I really don’t understand why you would want to add electrics. Round here plumbers are like hens teeth ….

I can possibly see things turning more electrical in the future.

 

[Ben-gee]

Drinking, washing and sanitary needs will never be electrical!!?

 

[rpm]

Drinking, washing and sanitary needs will never be electrical!!?

Already are in some cases.

 

[Ben-gee]

Already are in some cases.

Yes unfortunately you are right, i meant they will always need water too so we’ll need plumbers.

However i think i may have just invented a waterless ultrasonic handwasher in my head…

 

[Matt0029]

Drinking, washing and sanitary needs will never be electrical!!?

More the heating side of things that concerns me

 

[Murdoch]

More the heating side of things that concerns me

given that most controls are sold to DIYers , I don’t think there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow

 

[Matt0029]

given that most controls are sold to DIYers , I don’t think there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow

I mean if they get rid of gas and heat pumps aren't as good as they say. Do you know any plumbers that went on to train in electrics and vice versa?

 

[Murdoch]

I mean if they get rid of gas and heat pumps aren't as good as they say. Do you know any plumbers that went on to train in electrics and vice versa?

no.

but there are few around who meddle and cause problems

 

[Chuck]

It's possible to be qualified both as a plumber and as a sparks but I don't see how it can make financial sense. There are only 24 hours in a day and both trades pay (roughly) the same amount so all you accomplish is increased overheads. More equipment to be bought and calibrated, more CPD to keep up to date, more stock to carry, extra scheme membership fees, etc.

IMO, you'll make more as a specialist than as a jack of all trades.

 

[RobinA]

I mean if they get rid of gas and heat pumps aren't as good as they say. Do you know any plumbers that went on to train in electrics and vice versa?

I was Gas Safe and NICEIC. But got too expensive to maintain both, and time consuming for NICEIC inspections, especially since a lot of customers weren't keen on me bringing an inspector. electrical work is not as tightly regulated or policed and subject to undercutting by unregistered competitors, so chose to drop the NICEIC after 15 years, carried on doing the electrical bits unless Building control certificate was required, then passed on to a mate.