working self employed, how can I gain my NVQ2?

[snowy1010]

Just wondered if anyone could give me a bit of advice please. I'm a 38 year old bloke who is coming to the end of 2 years at college doing a technical certificate. I started doing this as my background was working for various water boards on as a service layer and I'd always fancied training as a plumber, so went to college. When I started the course I asked a lot of questions about the best way to go about gaining experience and qualifications, most of the instructors at the college seemed to think that self employment was a good option. I then made contact with a local plumber/gas engineer who was happy for me to work with him(for a low wage). So I've set up as self employed and been working alongside this guy for 8 months, he's been a great help in regards to me gaining experience and has given me a better rate as my experience is growing and now sends me off to certain jobs on my own. The problem I'm having is that the college now say that to gain my NVQ2 I need to be an employed formal apprentice and have day release to gain my qualification. Just wondered if there is a way that I can get a portfolio other than through a college and how to go about it with out paying through the nose. I'm going to carry on working alongside my bloke but would like the qualification in my back pocket. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Alex Pelton]

you don't need to be employed to do the nvq. just working in the industry. the college like apprenticeships as they get more money for them! I did my nvq as self employed but was with a private training fracility.

 

[snowy1010]

Thanks Alex, that was my understanding but needed some clarification. Just need to find somewhere local now to sign up with. Any idea on cost?

 

[lame plumber]

get your mate to act as mentor and sign off your sheets and show your se work to the college nvq trainer.

 

[Alex Pelton]

no idea on cost was many years ago that i did mine, check on the forums on here about reviews of them though and on the web. private training companies are notorious for saying you can take as long as want to do the course, but once you get outside the initial training period they want you to pay more and its not cheap! SO READ THE SMALL PRINT.

 

[snowy1010]

Thanks for the replies fellas, my mate was happy to be my mentor but the college still need me to have 1 day a week at college, which means losing a days money each week. I feel like I'm bucking the system by trying to get qualified without going to college but the reality is that I've got kids to feed so gotta work. Took a long while to get a bloke who was willing to sign me off but then the College move the goalposts! Frustrating, but at least I'm earning. Cheers