Re Part P Certification. Does a third party have to physically test an installation himself or is it sufficient to trust the test evidence of the electrician that did the work. I have been asked this by a neighbour and whilst I once knew the wiring regs I am no longer up to date (and not practicing). Thanks
One reason there is a myriad of differing opinions as to what is a qualified electrician, is simply what constitutes qualified is subjective, so can be spun in various differing ways to suit the agenda. There was a rapid change from late 1980's to early 1990's in the way people entered the trade. There was really only one way originally. You were employed by a firm as an apprentice, usually at the age of 16. You did day/week release for a period. You did the City and Guilds exams. Some completed and passed, some failed, some just passed some of the exams, then stopped. But there was a job for all at the level you were happy with. Some stayed "improver" forever, some stayed as electrical labourer's or electricians mate, others progressed. But aside from opinion on the suitability of the "supervision" and the degree to which it was carried out, you were usually one of many, with peers of various differing skills and ability and experience, some good and some not so good, but the whole thing was at some level of control, insomuch complete and utter Badgerdom would not be tolerated as you would be shamed by those that you worked with. On building sites the judgement would also be from other trades such as plumbers, plasterers and chippys, also working for firms. You did learn on the job. You were only likely to be left unsupervised doing a particular task you had demonstrated to be sufficiently proficient in. You were really only stopped being supervised after 5 to 7 years, at which time you started some of the supervision of others yourself. One person bands did not really exist, though you could be a subby. But you had to be a good subby, else the PAYE sparks would call you out if you dared to mess up their jobs.
Early 1990 was fast forward and an explosion of single enterprises, one person bands if you like, but they were made up of mix of labourers, improvers, perpetual mates and Electricians with full tickets, with no demarcation and no peer review. As mentioned by posters on the old forum, there were also the industry maintenance sparks newly unemployed, entering the installation market particularly domestic. So in the absence of any modicum of control, it is no wonder that as time has gone by, bits of various paper have become more important to some as some proof of anything. Horses for courses, I do not think a quick reccy of who or what is "qualified electrician" by any old Ceng would be of any use unless that Ceng had also supervised that persons electrical career from the start and had completed a formal apprenticeship themselves and also had all the C and Gs. Not very likely. Seems to me that wish is just another shortcut that leads instant electrician.
One reason there is a myriad of differing opinions as to what is a qualified electrician, is simply what constitutes qualified is subjective, so can be spun in various differing ways to suit the agenda. There was a rapid change from late 1980's to early 1990's in the way people entered the trade. There was really only one way originally. You were employed by a firm as an apprentice, usually at the age of 16. You did day/week release for a period. You did the City and Guilds exams. Some completed and passed, some failed, some just passed some of the exams, then stopped. But there was a job for all at the level you were happy with. Some stayed "improver" forever, some stayed as electrical labourer's or electricians mate, others progressed. But aside from opinion on the suitability of the "supervision" and the degree to which it was carried out, you were usually one of many, with peers of various differing skills and ability and experience, some good and some not so good, but the whole thing was at some level of control, insomuch complete and utter Badgerdom would not be tolerated as you would be shamed by those that you worked with. On building sites the judgement would also be from other trades such as plumbers, plasterers and chippys, also working for firms. You did learn on the job. You were only likely to be left unsupervised doing a particular task you had demonstrated to be sufficiently proficient in. You were really only stopped being supervised after 5 to 7 years, at which time you started some of the supervision of others yourself. One person bands did not really exist, though you could be a subby. But you had to be a good subby, else the PAYE sparks would call you out if you dared to mess up their jobs.
Early 1990 was fast forward and an explosion of single enterprises, one person bands if you like, but they were made up of mix of labourers, improvers, perpetual mates and Electricians with full tickets, with no demarcation and no peer review. As mentioned by posters on the old forum, there were also the industry maintenance sparks newly unemployed, entering the installation market particularly domestic. So in the absence of any modicum of control, it is no wonder that as time has gone by, bits of various paper have become more important to some as some proof of anything. Horses for courses, I do not think a quick reccy of who or what is "qualified electrician" by any old Ceng would be of any use unless that Ceng had also supervised that persons electrical career from the start and had completed a formal apprenticeship themselves and also had all the C and Gs. Not very likely. Seems to me that wish is just another shortcut that leads instant electrician.
