Education and Learning

In the event you wish to take an electrical qualification, you could have heard concerning the introduction from the City & Guilds 2357 and the resulting opposition from the training industry.

There has been plenty of discussion about how the 2357 was launched with the intention of replacing the City & Guilds 2330 Levels 2 and 3 but this has not been successful as the existing qualifications have had their registration periods extended.

Despite the extension with the 2330 registration periods, it appears that the 2357 is here to stay but exists only as an alternative for those people looking to achieve an accredited qualification in order to become an electrician.

Some training providers have criticised the 2357 for essentially being a rehash from the 2330 but with the only addition being that of an environmental unit which attempts to educate students about renewable technologies.

The main problem, however, is that the 2357 does away with the delivery of level 2 standard learning which is ideal for people who have no existing experience of electrics and are looking for a place to start.

Everybody has to start somewhere and the removal in the level 2 aspect of training means that there is no gradual progression onto advanced learning as students are immediately thrown into the deep end.

The 2357 is part in the new Qualifications and Credit Framework which is making it difficult for electrical trainees to gain on the job experience while attempting to complete the different units required to achieve the award.

At the moment many training centres are failing to get to grips with the 2357 and as such they are more comfortable promoting levels 2 and 3 with the 2330 as the preferred route into the electrical industry.

There are some training centres with instructors who are flexible enough to add some much needed practical activities in order to enhance the delivery of 2357 knowledge units.

Once the hurdles have been overcome, it is likely that the 2357 will become the industry norm but for the time being it appears that many trainees are sticking with the tried and tested 2330.

In the event you would like to learn more about which electrical qualification is proper for your level of experience it is advisable that you speak to an accredited training centre as they will be able to provide you with the appropriate knowledge.

Only seek the advice of training centres that are capable of providing both the 2330 and 2357 as they will be able to explain the benefits and potential shortcomings with the two qualifications.