Best way back into plumbing

[Legg360]

Hi all,

Looking for some advice on the best way to get a career started in plumbing, in 2009 completed a C&G tech cert 6129 level 2. I'd be looking at enrolling on a course in about 18 months time so it would be nearly 7 years since doing the course and as it wasn't an NVQ only college based work I'm unsure what course I can get on to.

I would like to get onto a level 3 NVQ so that I can get gas qualified and get on the gas safe register, I have a fairly decent basic ish knowledge of plumbing as my father is a plumber of over 20 years so working with him when growing up and on and off over the last 5 years I have knowledge of the plumbing world.

I would like to go self employed eventually but to start off with don't know if best to see if I can get a job with a big company like British Gas, or an apprenticeship with a self employed plumber, or just go it alone?

Thanks for your replies

 

[teabreak]

I'am sorry to inform you, but the old 6129 has a five year 'shelf life' after which it expires. So as you obviously have not completed the 6189 NVQ, your Tech Cert has expired. In order to 're-qualify', you must either enrol on the 6035 (replaces 6129) or 6189 as a mature apprentice/trainee. You or your employer will have to pay course fees.
You cannot go straight onto Level III without completing Level II first. As discussed in other posts, there are various Level III options with Gas being the most expensive.
This is a little complicated to explain in the context of a short post. However I am sure you local FE College, will be happy to explain in person.

 

[stratplus]

I'am sorry to inform you, but the old 6129 has a five year 'shelf life' after which it expires. So as you obviously have not completed the 6189 NVQ, your Tech Cert has expired. In order to 're-qualify', you must either enrol on the 6035 (replaces 6129) or 6189 as a mature apprentice/trainee. You or your employer will have to pay course fees.
You cannot go straight onto Level III without completing Level II first. As discussed in other posts, there are various Level III options with Gas being the most expensive.
This is a little complicated to explain in the context of a short post. However I am sure you local FE College, will be happy to explain in person.

Since when did the 6129 have an expiry time? There's no 5 year limit on my tech cert.

 

[kris]

Hi there legg and welcome along to the madhouse, im sure some of the guys will let you know tomorow, good luck in your quest,

 

[teabreak]

I was told this by the City & Guilds EV earlier this year. It came about whilst going through submitted NVQ only, folders (6189-74,53 etc).
He asked for copies of 6129 Tech Certs to check their issue dates, to ensure they were within five years old. Came as a surprise to myself and colleagues alike.
Sorry Stratplus, just repeating word 'from the horses mouth'.

 

[newcastle phill]

Indeed they do have expiry dates unless you complete the full ticket

 

[stratplus]

Indeed they do have expiry dates unless you complete the full ticket

We did the 6129 tech cert and 6089 nvq together. Seems mad that you can take 2 yrs to complete the tech cert and have it expire and have to re-do every 5 yrs. Surely that can't be right?

 

[Legg360]

Thanks for the quick replies,

Thanks for the info on the tech cert expiring, looks like I'll be going back to square one and starting fresh, I have been looking at the 6189 but was hoping I could get on the level 3 be a big help if I could and would save me a few more years of retraining

Has anyone gone with a company like BG to get training I read that they only take on a very few apprenticeships each year, and as they would pay for all the training I'm thinking this might be a good way back into plumbing

 

[newcastle phill]

As far as I can remember its only the tech cert bit that expires unless you complete it.
Then it all remains valid

 

[stratplus]

Just checked my certs for tech cert and nvq....no expiry date on either. Only did the tech cert on c+g electricals (3 year course to level 3) no expiry on those either.

 

[newcastle phill]

Thats right, they arent stated on certs, just the city and guilds walled garden system

 

[kay-jay]

to get on l3 you need to have done level 2 within last 5 years. thats it.
the qual for lvl 2 does not run out, it always remains valid it just cant be used as an entry ticket to the level 3.

hope that clears it up!

 

[stratplus]

If they do expire alot of people are going to be very peed off and unaware!

 

[kay-jay]

read my last post strat:50:

 

[newcastle phill]

True for the full level 2.
Not for the 6129 tech cert only
In other words if the classroom only part is completed then there is a 5 year shelf life.

 

[stratplus]

read my last post strat:50:

I'd posted the two together but the the last post had been inserted after yours lol

 

[Legg360]

So basically as far as training goes I'm back to square one... So 1st step is going to be requalify at level 2, I'm unsure on best route as far as this goes.

Would it be worth applying for an apprenticeship with a large company, that will pay better thought out the training and will pay for all the course fees.

Or get a normal apprenticeship with a small company like a self employed person who just needs a bit of extra help, down sides of this I can see is that apprenticeships wage is very poor and I'd properly have to pay the course fees myself.

On the note of course fees anyone know how much roughly the 6189 cost for each year?

 

[kay-jay]

So basically as far as training goes I'm back to square one... So 1st step is going to be requalify at level 2, I'm unsure on best route as far as this goes.

Would it be worth applying for an apprenticeship with a large company, that will pay better thought out the training and will pay for all the course fees.

Or get a normal apprenticeship with a small company like a self employed person who just needs a bit of extra help, down sides of this I can see is that apprenticeships wage is very poor and I'd properly have to pay the course fees myself.

On the note of course fees anyone know how much roughly the 6189 cost for each year?

Its not that expensive if you're prepared to do it at a fe college over the standard time frames.

If you dont already hold an nvq funding may be available for you. Have a google[emoji335]

 

[newcastle phill]

Best thing to do is call shiity and guilds and ask them for a definitive answer

 

[teabreak]

Hi Legg,
I expect you're really confused now. I have simply stated the facts as my own FE College interoperate them, as stated in my earlier post that was the info direct from C&G. I think firstly, if you have any contacts at your old College/Training Centre, ask them to check for you.
Alternatively contact C&G direct yourself.
Kay-jay has a good point, if you currently don't already have a Level II NVQ, help (financially) may be available. At present the whole apprenticeship scheme is going through a pretty far reaching overhaul in term of funding, so be warned.
The best thing about advice is you can always ignore it, if you wish:hand:
Finally, you are obviously keen to learn and I applaud you for that. May I wish you luck and good fortune whatever you decide.

 

[Marples]

Hi, i was in the same kind of situation as you and emailed C&G to see what i could do about it. I simply told them all my tests/assignments i had completed and which certs i had and gave them the rough dates of which i was at college.

This was their reply;

Dear Jordan,

Thank you for contacting City & Guilds Customer Relations.
In response to your email, I can confirm that yes you had two units remaing to complete the course. Unforntuately this qualification is now closed. If you contact your centre, and check if your registration is still vaid you can still sit for thoiose missing units as the last certification date is December 2014.
This is a Level 2 and no you do not have to start over again, speak to a centre so see if you can take the replacement qualifications.
Should you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact the Customer Relations team on 0844 543 0033.
Please visit cityandguildsbookshop to see how City & Guilds can support you during your studies with a variety of textbooks, exam success titles and pocket guides.
Yours sincerely

Grace Gutu
Customer Relations Advisor | Customer Relations
City & Guilds - Believe you can

It is 31st December 2014.


I hope that helps.

 

[stratplus]

So due to the op "completing" his 6129 he should be ok to do level 3.

 

[stratplus]

This shelf life applies to uncompleted tech certs by the sounds of it. You have 5 yrs to complete the level 2 course.

 

[teabreak]

Hi All,
I feel I must clear this up as best I can, from as I interpret this situation:
The 6129 Tech Cert does NOT expire in its own right. It cannot (as I understand it) be used a a route to the full NVQ 6189 after five years from attainment.
Blame C & G not me :confused5:

 

[Simon F]

:iagree:. that is how I understood it.
The city & guilds qualification means that some parts of the NVQ are already covered,
this is the 5 year thing.
After that time you would need to complete all aspects of the NVQ.
But as said talk to your college to get the best advice.