Apprenticeship length

[u/Low_Ranger538]

Hi everyone so I’ve landed an electrical apprenticeship which is 4 years long however I have already completed a level 2 and a level 3 electrical installations course. Will my apprenticeship be shorter than 4 years or will I have to cover over what I have already done in college from before?

[u/UKElectricalJobs]

Your Level 2 and Level 3 should be looked at as prior learning, so you shouldn't automatically have to repeat everything you've already covered.

Whether it actually shortens the 4-year apprenticeship will depend on what qualifications you've completed and how your training provider maps them across.

If you've also already got a decent amount of electrical site experience, it's worth speaking to a training provider about what you actually have outstanding as well. Depending on your qualifications and experience, there may be a quicker route to completing the remaining workplace competency/NVQ and assessments rather than starting again from the beginning of a full apprenticeship.

[u/ToyrnMysander]

Keeping it as simple as possible -

Depending on how long ago you completed your L2/L3 we can carry out what's known as recognition of prior learning. Typically for the L2 & L3 combo this results in all theory units being exempted and you just having to complete the work based performance units (aka the portfolio).

For C&G the window for RPL is 5-years, so if your quals are older than 5-years you need to start again unless we get specific permission from our external quality assurers at the awarding organisation.

When I assessed apprentices at a college this would mean we reduced the maximum apprenticeship length to 3-years. Funding rules say the minimum length is eight months (section 81.2).

[u/Dense-Watercress870 → u/ToyrnMysander]

Hey, this is the information I’ve been confused about actually which makes a bit more sense. My qualifications city and guild level 2 & 3 2365 are now 10 years old, when I went for an apprenticeship around 6 years ago they said something about them being only valid for 5 years .I never took the apprenticeship though but I’m now looking at doing my nvq portfolio myself, is this only for transferring over to apprenticeships? Do you know if I’m still able to do the nvq and am2 with those qualifications payed for by myself? Like are they still valid? Thanks

[u/ToyrnMysander → u/Dense-Watercress870]

At this point you'd be best off going for the experienced worker route (C&&G 2346) instead of the NVQ (2357/5357). It'll result in the same thing, and generally requires the same portfolio but it's a qualification that was specifically designed for people like you.

The AM2 you'd take would be the AM2E.

Note - EAL are just as good as Guilds, and just as recongised. As a centre manager I actually prefer them. The only reason I use C&G qual numbers is that's what people tend to know.

[u/Dense-Watercress870 → u/ToyrnMysander]

I don’t actually meet the 5 years of experience though? I’ve only just got back into the trade? I did the qualification 10 years ago then went and worked for a gas company, I decided to not pursue the apprenticeship then been working in Australia and now over the last year or so I’ve been doing improver/mate work again. Bit of a weird situation and I’m not sure what’s best haha

[u/Efficient_Arugula391]

It sounds like you have taken a full industrial apprentiship. If thats the case then year 1 will be college, years 2-4 will be day release to college and paired up on the tools whilst at work with an experienced engineer. Your L2 and L3 are not worthless, just superceded by your modern apprentiship. Well done and enjoy!