Another course question - sorry.

[monkeymark]

Im wanting to do a part time course in welding. Its mainly for DIY stuff but figured i might as well try to do a recognised qualification as you never know what the future holds.

I keep seeing the likes of C&G 3268 Certificate in Welding Skills Level 1 & 2.

I know they are C&G courses, but do they actually count for anything as I guess they are low courses?
I would never expect to get a job from them should i choose to attemp to walk that line, but would they be leading me in the right direction or would i be better looking for something else?

I live an Co. Durham so could attend a college in Durham, Hartlepool, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Newcastle as i dont mind driving.

I know this question probably gets asked all the time so i appreciate you taking the time to read this and any help/pointers will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Mark

 

[500e]

http://www.cityandguilds.com/Course...eering/mechanical/3268-welding-skills/level-1
Lot of info
Any formal qualifications will help with work it also helps to hopefully set you on the correct path & not have some of the bad habits us self taught welders have
I note the level 1\2 is not as simple as welding there appears to be numerous versions in the C&G course.
Also Cost can play a part especially if you are only going DIY

 

[the repair man]

I've always considered C&G far better than nvq, national diplomas etc. Praps I'm too old school!

 

[awemawson]

Not Very Qualified we called 'em!

 

[monkeymark]

Thanks for the info.

I have thought about getting qualified in the past and about apprenticeships, but at 32 apprenticeships seem very difficult to get. So for now, I'll look into the c&g as a hobby and see what happens in the future.

I'm hoping I can go straight into the level 2. I know I'm a complete beginner but my experience with c&g (i work in an education environment, just a shame they don't do welding) is that the level 1's are practically nothing and a level 2 could be doable from scratch. I may well be wrong with these courses, I just don't want to spend more years doing this than required should I decide to pursue it as a career path. Plus if I'm paying for the courses jumping to level 2 would save me money too.

 

[monkeymark]

I've been looking around and there's a few courses available.

I know its a long way off, but if I did decide to try to make some money out of this, what is minimum accepted level to start employment in welding usually? At least if I know then I can have something to aim for, I'm always better when aiming for a target.

EDIT:
Been in touch with a local college. They are offering "Introductory Welding Level 1 and Level 2". Can't find out if this is a certified course or not. When asked I got the following answer.
"You would study the Level 1 starting tomorrow for three months.*
The Level 2 will run from September/October 2013 for three months.

*

Your course tutor will discuss progression routes with you, for example, development onto BS 4872 coded welding or NVQ Level 3 Fabrication and Welding.

*

You will receive a certificate on completion of your course."

What do people make of this? The course starts tomorrow so need to decide pretty quick. The courses are £215 each. Its at a big local college well known for engineering courses so its no mickey mouse establishment.

Opinions please.

 

[Splatterer]

I signed on for a 12 week G & G Level 1 at West Cheshire College and am halfway through.
Had to specify which style of welding I wanted the G&G in at the start so opted for MIG.
L1 MIG is producing 5 test pieces on a flat bench in 3mm plate. Plus questions on safety.
3 straight lines, outside right angle joint, inside right angle joint flat, inside right angle joint in a trough and a lap joint.
All on high end Murex 3 phase machines.

Stick and TIG pupils are doing the same, the stick boys are on 6mm

Should you wish to receive the benefit of my vast minutes of experience...

Make a list of the things you want to make and then learn the most suitable style to get them done. Had I got my current small but dangerous amount of knowledge then, I would have opted to learn TIG as it's more suitable for what I want to make where I want to make it.

That said, I've got tons of new toys now

 

[monkeymark]

Thanks Splattered.
I had to specify which I wanted also so chose level 1 mig.
Im curious as ti what the difference is between level 1 & 2. I found the c&g spec sheets but they are password protected (not for long though).

 

[zardoz]

the difference is the ammount of hours you do. i think its 12 weeks on level 1 and 24 on level 2. (or something) Also type of welds get more difficult on level 2. (Vertical down, pipe to plate, etc )