Have a quick look at the following headline which appeared in The Sun newspaper on May 31 2011: Jobs Idea ‘Fail’

“Labour blew £180 million on a workplace qualifications scheme branded “not fit for purpose.”

Completely regardless of the political connotations of the above headline, let’s have a look at the newly conceived QCF qualifications scheme and examine just why it was such an expensive failure.

The previous government decided that the qualification structure surrounding electrical courses and other trades training needed to be changed and standardised. In reality it caused so many issues and arguments between the awarding bodies and the educational centres running the trades training and electrical courses that the whole scheme had to be shelved. The ill fated qualifications were scrapped just before they were due to go live wasting a lot of time and resources.

The Sun article stated: “Official figures reveal the huge level of funding by the last government for the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). But an independent review of electrical courses and other vocational courses this year called it ‘entirely inappropriate’.

“Professor Alison Wolf, who published the critical dossier, said the QCF had no relevance for learners ‘likely to switch jobs and entering decades of employment in a rapidly changing economy’.

“Her report went on: “This should not be the main, let alone the only, type of vocational qualification offered. Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi, who uncovered the bill, said: Labour simply doesn’t understand what employers want.”

So what does this mean for those individuals considering training courses such as resettlement training, gas, plumbing or electrical courses? Absolutely nothing. It merely ensures that the current tried and tested qualifications and methods of training remain the same. For example, City & Guilds electrical courses are still the courses to look for if you wish to qualify to complete domestic, commercial and industrial electrical installations.

You can therefore rest assured that the electrical courses offered here at Access Training are the most up to date available, allowing you the opportunity to gain qualifications recognised and respected throughout the industry. If you are looking for all encompassing electrical courses, or you are just starting out and looking for something at more of a beginner’s level, here at Access Training we have something for everyone.

The Electrical Safety Council (ESC) has just published a survey stating that women may be at greater risk than men of having an electric shock whilst working in the garden as they have not heard of an RCD (Residual Current Device), something covered in all electrical courses. The report published by the ECS was derived from Government data which found that 70 people a year die from accidents in and around UK homes and that if an RCD was fitted it could have prevented some of these accidents. If you have attended an electrical course with us then you will understand the importance of RCDs already but to those who don’t know it appears they could be putting themselves at some risk through a simple lack of understanding.

So what is an RCD? The ESC website gives a wealth of information regarding this but essentially it is a sensitive switch device that trips (or switches off) if there is a fault. An RCD protects people against the risks of electrocution and fire caused by an earth fault, an area that is covered on our electrical courses. The most obvious scenario for this being that a cable is cut when mowing the lawn.  Obviously this situation could occur this coming weekend of all weekends as a bank holiday means more people will be working in the garden preparing lawns, flower beds and hedge rows for the summer. No doubt many people will be using electrical devices such as mowers and hedge trimmers for the first time this year. An RCD would protect the user if the device was faulty and the appliance overheats causing electric current to flow to earth.

The ECA found that almost 50% of the women surveyed for the report have either never used (23%) or never actually heard of an RCD and what it does (26%). Surprisingly however, women were less likely than men to appreciate the dangers of using electrical equipment in the garden. A Mori Poll also reported that 25% of women have actually experienced at least one electric shock in the garden during their lifetime which should be a reminder to us all of the potential dangers over this coming bank holiday weekend.

Access Training’s electrical courses teach the importance of RCDs and explains the application, installation and testing of these devices during the electrical course curriculums with the emphasis being that it teaches you to work that at all times you must work safely after attending a domestic electrical course.

After our last post regarding how the proposed changes to Government red tape are likely to affect electrical courses graduates, it has become apparent that there is widespread confusion among many of our current electrical courses students, as well as those currently working in the trade.

So here, by way of explanation, is exactly how Part P applies:

1) You will not need to notify your local authority if you do limited minor electrical work such as:

a. Replacing or repairing a socket, light or cable in a room;
b. Adding extra spurs, sockets or lights to an existing circuit (except in a kitchen, bathroom or outdoors);
c. Adding lights to an outdoor wall on an existing circuit (provided there are no exposed outdoor connections, and the circuit is not extended from a kitchen or bathroom).

2) Before you start other electrical work, you must notify your Local Authority Building Control Department, which has responsibility for ensuring the work is inspected and tested. This work includes:

a. Adding new circuits to your existing installation;
b. Any work (other than repairs / replacements) in a room where there is water (e.g. kitchen, bathroom, etc);
c. Any work (other than repairs / replacements) outdoors (e.g. installing outdoor sockets or non-pre wired garden lighting etc).


And remember, Building Control will charge you a fee. Diynot.com has some interesting discussions by contributors on this subject, such as: “My local authority charges £202 + vat for work up to £2000 and it goes up from there and they won't inspect or test - they want an EIC/MWC [electrical certificate] signed by a qualified electrician”, which essentially means the process could become very expensive.

However, when you perform any electrical installation after attending one of our electrical courses and become a member of a competent person scheme, you will be able to self certify your own work with no need to inform Building Control, thus avoiding such high costs. Therefore it makes sense to undergo electrical courses with us here at Access Training and join a Competent Person Scheme. This will ensure you are able to perform many different types of domestic electrical installation in accordance with Part P.

We hope this clears up any confusion for our present electrical courses students and for those electrical courses graduates we have taught in the past. If you require any further information regarding Part P, our electrical courses or any other of our services for that matter, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 0800 345 7492.

In our last post we talked briefly about the Government’s review of current building regulations and the emphasis of Part P, as well as how this applies to those individuals undergoing electrical training. We mentioned the building regulations exercise which was conducted with over 800 direct and indirect responses which produced some interesting results. We felt it was important to inform our electrical training graduates as well as our potential electrical training students of the future of the details and timescale of any prospective changes so you know exactly what is expected of you. 

The key finding is that current building regulations are far from perfect; there is plenty to be improved upon, although, for the most part, they are in pretty good shape. The Part P section of the regulations seemed to be a contentious point amongst many, especially those who have recently completed electrical training. The following viewpoints were highlighted on the Government website:

•  Large-scale support for reducing cost of compliance with Part P;
•  A questioning of the role of regulation and its scope e.g. why do we control what people do in their own homes (e.g. water temperature);
•  Make building regulations less bureaucratic and restrictive;
•  Review Part P home DIY electrical.

There was a common misunderstanding:

• Have you ever wanted to change that socket from a single socket to a double? Well you can’t, it’s illegal.

The regulations for DIYers left the following general complaint:

• Competent DIYers must pay to have work inspected by building control, or pay to have work carried out by perhaps less competent individuals who have completed the relevant electrical training.

Competent registered electricians also commented:

• Electricians who comply, register and have undergone thorough electrical training are undercut by cowboys who ignore rules and regulations
• Regulations are not enforced – cowboys are never prosecuted

There were also some broad views expressed regarding Part P rules:

• Electrical installation work in new and existing dwellings, however minor, must follow rules in BS 7671: 2001. (There is currently no technical guidance in Approved Document P)
• Riskier jobs are ‘notifiable’ and must either be:
  • inspected, tested and approved by a building control body, or
  • self-certified by a registered electrician who has undergone the relevant electrical training (‘Competent Person’)
• Notifiable jobs are:
  • new circuits and new/ replacement consumer units
  • extensions to circuits in kitchens, bathrooms and outdoors
• Repairs and replacements are not notifiable
• Rules too confusing and not well understood by general public
• High building control charges discourage notification (especially simple jobs in kitchens)

Having reviewed the responses, MP Andrew Stunell, said: “For me this is just the start of the process - their contribution has informed my programme of work for the next year, and I want to work with them further to ensure building regulations are fit for the 21st century."

The programme of reform has also now been set out with the following actions:

• Set up Building Regulations Part P Technical Working Party
• Develop proposals for amending regulations and guidance
• Prepare formal Impact Assessment
• Publish consultation document – December 2011
• Conduct formal three month consultation
• Publish analysis of responses – July 2012
• Publish amended regulations and Approved Document – October 2012
• Bring new regulations and guidance into effect – April 2013

At Access Training we will, as ever, continue to monitor and report on statements from the Government as well as electrical training awarding bodies to bring to you the latest and most up to date information. Upon reflection it appears that Part P of the building regulations will receive further scrutiny over the next few years, culminating in a more refined set of regulations being implemented in a few years time. What is certain is that Part P electrical training courses will continue to be essential for the safety of consumers and installers alike.

Here at Access Training we aim to bring you all the latest industry news for electrical training graduates and prospective students alike, so you are fully equipped to make a name for yourself as a reputable and highly skilled electrician.  

Throughout 2010 the Government has been making a lot of noise about its intention to cut red tape and reform regulations across a wide range of industries. Current building regulations are to be looked at in detail to ensure they aid rather than prohibit the new Government policy of increasing the housing supply. It is also their intention to reform the planning system so it is more efficient, effective and supportive of economic development. In addition, the Government has stated that it will introduce a New Homes Bonus and will also reduce the total regulatory burden on the house building industry. This is potentially good news for individuals currently attending electrical courses, and especially those electrical courses which include the Part P elements.

In a move which was welcomed back in early 2010, MP Andrew Stunnell stated the need for free and open feedback from individuals in the construction industry as well as those running electrical courses in an attempt to streamline regulations: “I want to hear your views on how regulations can be improved, added to, or slimmed down. I would also welcome suggestions as to how we can deliver better levels of compliance in the future.”

The result of this Building Regulations Exercise was that over 200 responses were received; many from those who had recently completed electrical courses, although surprisingly not a lot of unexpected issues or suggestions arose. The conclusions we can draw at this stage will come as welcome news for those individuals currently attending electrician courses and especially for those thinking of attending electrical courses in the future, as less red tape will result in the creation of many more employment opportunities.

For those of you considering electrical courses, Access Training really should be your first choice. Our facilities are state of the art, as is the level of training our electrical courses provide. For further information call Access today on 0800 345 7492.

In our last blog post we examined the anticipated increase in bathroom installation over the next few years, and how such a renovation could have a significant impact on the value of your home. Well in an unexpected twist, Access Training, whilst carrying out some research, have stumbled across some earth shattering news: could the installation of a second bathroom really be the secret to a long and happy marriage?

Catherine Zeta Jones has added some of her Hollywood gravitas to a growing murmur that the installation of a second bathroom could well be the secret to a happy marriage.

Zeta Jones, who has received considerable press coverage over the past few weeks, is convinced that his and hers bathrooms have been of great comfort during her 10 year marriage to film star husband Michael Douglas. She said: “Separate bathrooms are always a really great idea. Mine is so messy; I’d absolutely hate for my husband to realize just how incredibly untidy I can be.”

British institution, Michael Caine, has also spoke out in favour of second bathroom installation, declaring that having a ‘little boy’s room’, separate to a calming space where the ladies can ‘powder their noses’, is crucial. Caine, who has been married to his wife Shakira for 37 years, said: “The secret to a happy marriage is separate bathrooms. It’s essential. Whenever we stay in a hotel we always get two bedrooms so we can have an extra bathroom. It’s vital to have your own space so you aren’t constantly in each other’s pockets.”

So as discussed before bathroom installation represents an investment, and not simply in monetary terms, it forges solid and long lasting relationships which is surely far more than important than money anyway, although obviously both is a definite bonus.

Here at Access Training we offer industry recognised bathroom installation and plumbing courses, although sadly marital bliss does not come guaranteed. For further information regarding bathroom fitting course please contact us today. Call 0800 345 7492 and enquire about your course today.

With the property market currently stagnant in many parts of the UK, more and more people are choosing to renovate their current property rather than move home. This is creating great opportunities for graduates of plumbing courses as well as those individuals currently undergoing bathroom fitting courses. Not only is a surge in demand for bathroom renovations expected, they will also be able to add 5% of their own home, and all by completing plumbing courses with Access Training.

Rosie Millard, writing for the Daily Telegraph, stated that by simply renovating an existing bathroom it was possible to increase a property’s value. Creating a clean, stylish space would also attract potential buyers if you are considering selling your property.

Millard gave clear advice for plumbing courses graduates and those looking to install bathroom suites. They should always opt for white as a coloured suite ‘will look dreadful in just a matter of months’.

Such trends should make for interesting reading or those individuals either attending or considering Access Training’s plumbing courses. There is a buoyant market out there in homes across the country for new bathrooms, or on a slightly grander scale, en suite bathrooms built in bedrooms and lofts. So consider the possibility of attending one of our plumbing courses, forming your own business and installing bathrooms for your customers across the UK. You could create a niche and lucrative business for yourself. However, first things first, successful completion of one of our industry recognised plumbing courses.

For further information regarding Access Training’s wide range of plumbing courses, call us on 0800 345 7492 today.   

We have already discussed on previous posts the shortage of plumbing course graduates in Britain. However, the problem is now extending worldwide, with the US the latest in a long line of countries to experience such a scarcity. Plumbing course graduates are now in demand in some of the world’s most sought after destinations including Australia and Canada.

In a discussion on one America’s foremost debate websites, Splice Today, aspiring college graduates have been discussing the merits of university degrees, and wondering if they would be better placed for the future if they learnt a trade such as plumbing, as it would virtually guarantee them a lucrative and secure career.

Contributions from experts on the subject of career paths have suggested that although higher education may well be the pathway to a successful life for some, those who pursue an in demand trade such as plumbing will find that an excellent income awaits them once they have successfully completed their training.

Journalist Frank DeFilippo, says: “America needs tinkerers as well as thinkers. We need PhDs, but we also need plumbers… College, for the most part, equips people to do nothing, except maybe think, which has its own rewards and is not a bad thing. But the salary for that won’t always cover the mortgage.

“Anyone who isn’t afraid to get a little grease under his fingernails or luxuriate in the slime and grime of a broken pipe or backed-up sink is likely to receive more take-home pay than a graduate with a degree in literature or philosophy. And maybe even the professor teaching literature and philosophy as well.”

The comments were met with widespread agreement: “I recently retired after 35 years as an engineer. I have 3 master’s degrees in math, business and project management. On an hourly basis, I pay my plumber more than I ever earned, and am glad to do it. It’s not just plumbers. We need electricians… and so much more. It’s not the money. What we have to do is restore the status we took from the skilled trades.”

It seems the message is clear the world over, becoming a plumber can offer a greater standard of living than one may expect and is certainly a career worth considering wherever you are in the world. Talk to Access Training today and realise your potential by attending an industry recognised plumbing course. We have a suitable course for everyone including those currently in full time employment.

The current economic climate has put strain on the purse strings of many, resulting in far fewer individuals finding themselves in a position where they can afford to buy their own home. This is music to the ears of Gas Safe qualified engineers as well as those currently completing gas courses, as landlords have strict legal requirements they must fulfill before renting out their property to ensure the safety of the gas system.

In a rented property the landlord is responsible for ensuring that the pipe work, appliances and gas flues are maintained and kept in a safe condition. It is a legal requirement that a gas safety check is carried out every year; this must be carried out by a registered Gas Safe engineer who has attended the relevant gas courses. The landlord must then give their tenants a copy of the gas safety record within 28 days of the check being completed, or prior to them moving into the property.

The employment and business opportunities available for qualified gas engineers are currently plentiful. Only Gas Safe registered engineers are permitted to perform these checks, ensuring a ready supply of work. This is just the type of work you could be carrying out if you are seriously looking into gas courses with Access Training. The courses are delivered with commercial work in mind, so carrying out the necessary checks on a landlord’s property as well as completing paperwork can be performed with ease.

If you would like to enter this growing industry then there really is no time like the present. Enquire with us today about becoming a qualified gas safe engineer and we will help you to decide which of our gas courses is best suited to you.