Advice please

[Bossco101]

Hello,

I did the city and guilds 236 parts 1 & 2 a while back now as a back up career. Well now I am interested in following it up, especially where the inspection and testing is concerned. I've seen distance learning PAT courses offered over the internet but I don't know if these are any good?

Any advice about starting a new career and PAT testing in general would be appreciated!

Thanks

Bossco

[cavester]

hi ya bossco,

i am in the same position as yourself, i completed the 236 pt 1 and 2 a few years ago now and i am currently doing the 2391 (insp/test) and just completed the 2381 (16th ed), i have also completed the 2377 course (pat) and if you place yourself about there can be a lot of work out there but you have to remember that PAT can be completed in a workplace by a competent person, so any man jack are going on these courses which mine was only a day long ( long day though), most of the others who were on my course had no idea about electrics, some didn't even know what resistance and current was. most companies will pay £300 for a course for someone to become competent to paying £1500 to getting all their kit inspected every few years. like i said though there is money to be made just have to look in the right places........................didn't really help that did it?

daz

[Jimbo]

Bossco, I think you will be hard pushed to build a career in PAT testing, as has been mentioned its a days course so everyone and his dog will be doing it also it requires very little capital investment another reason why you will get unhealthy competition. Purely from my own experience if I was just about to look at starting a career I would specialize possible in lighting systems, mood lighting and programmable zones etc. Its going to be hard in our industry to make much more than a living you defiantly have to be one step in front. Regards Jim,

[Bossco101]

Thank you both for your helpful advice. It's very true that PAT testing is the lowest rung of the ladder and the easiest to get on. It was the main attraction for me after all. I just don't know what else to do at the moment and thought it might provide a start that would lead to more.

Back to the drawing board as they say.

Thanks!

:mrgreen: