HaddonEast Posted January 18, 2018 Share Posted January 18, 2018 So, I have been in the industry for best part of thirty years as a multi disciplined Engineer (Oh apparently we are not called engineers anymore). Originally holding an ECS certificate, on renewal I was informed that I cannot have that anymore as I don’t have official qualifications and I am not directly employed (sub contractor) so did CSCS instead. Now I can’t get CSCS either because now our industry comes under ECS. At the ripe age of 62 it’s simply not practical to do NVQ because of cost and time. So as of April 2019 when my CSCS card runs out, I'm basically ********* What is it with this Country when you can’t work in the Industry even having done the job for years and even had apprentices under my wing during times that I worked direct for Security System Companies inc Kings Security. Currently I am snowed under with work as apparently the Industry struggling to get new talent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al-yeti Posted January 18, 2018 Share Posted January 18, 2018 Why not open your own joint so a new card system can be available , make sure it's cheaper and blaggers and house basher can join Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjsturner Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Haddon, that doesn’t sound right to me, have you specifically had this convo with ECS? i know a lot of engineers who have sweet FA in terms of qualification but still get the blue ECS card, due to evidence of time served in the industry (which you have a lot of!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjsturner Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 https://www.ecscard.org.uk/card-types/emergency-security-systems/emergency-security-systems-installer Does say you need manufacturer training Cert of some kind plus time served. i Would get to your local ADI ect and book onto the training course of your chosen manufacturer which sometimes is actually free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterJames Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Grandfather rights still apply, our engineers are still obtaining ECS without formal qualifications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaddonEast Posted January 19, 2018 Author Share Posted January 19, 2018 (edited) I do of course have Training certs from PAXTON, Janus, BPT, FAAC UK + IPAF (all modules) Working at heights, Aspestos Class A and I did have ESC but it expired. And have provable Contracting for to most Companies - ADT, Chub, Axis, Amberstone, Digi Security etc (currently I suby through CSR Europe). Didnt think these counted, Rang about the ECS and was told "I have to be Directly employed or sponsored by an Alarm Company, and that I have to be NVQ Qualified). Thanks everyone for their replies by the way. Edited January 19, 2018 by HaddonEast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goncall Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 5 hours ago, HaddonEast said: I do of course have Training certs from PAXTON, Janus, BPT, FAAC UK + IPAF (all modules) Working at heights, Aspestos Class A and I did have ESC but it expired. And have provable Contracting for to most Companies - ADT, Chub, Axis, Amberstone, Digi Security etc (currently I suby through CSR Europe). Didnt think these counted, Rang about the ECS and was told "I have to be Directly employed or sponsored by an Alarm Company, and that I have to be NVQ Qualified). Thanks everyone for their replies by the way. what card did you apply for,you wont get a gold card without an nvq level3 you should get a white card with proof of expierence and any inhouse training records/certs etc and the h&s test of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 I hear Aldi are hiring. 1 Quote Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterJames Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 6 hours ago, norman said: I hear Aldi are hiring. Funny you mention that I popped into my local Aldi today and they had signs everywhere 11 hours ago, HaddonEast said: I do of course have Training certs from PAXTON, Janus, BPT, FAAC UK + IPAF (all modules) Working at heights, Aspestos Class A and I did have ESC but it expired. And have provable Contracting for to most Companies - ADT, Chub, Axis, Amberstone, Digi Security etc (currently I suby through CSR Europe). Didnt think these counted, Rang about the ECS and was told "I have to be Directly employed or sponsored by an Alarm Company, and that I have to be NVQ Qualified). Thanks everyone for their replies by the way. You're not that far from us if you need sponsoring Id be happy to help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 A friend's daughter starts next month as an area manager, starting salary is 42k with a fully expensed A4. Now I'm sure they will want their pound of flesh but still a decent starting salary. Quote Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterJames Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 1 minute ago, norman said: A friend's daughter starts next month as an area manager, starting salary is 42k with a fully expensed A4. Now I'm sure they will want their pound of flesh but still a decent starting salary. Very, just under the higher tax bracket, makes me wonder wtf I am not selling carrots and stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goncall Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 23 minutes ago, PeterJames said: makes me wonder wtf I am not selling carrots I'm doing just that,making a fortune selling gold soup,just need water and 24 carrots 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjsturner Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 54 minutes ago, norman said: A friend's daughter starts next month as an area manager, starting salary is 42k with a fully expensed A4. Now I'm sure they will want their pound of flesh but still a decent starting salary. I’ve heard similar, it seems that even the shop floor workers are earning good money compared to Tesco ect. a mate of mine said his Mrs quit her bus driving job to go do checkout at Aldi as the pay and benefits were better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterJames Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 2 minutes ago, sjsturner said: I’ve heard similar, it seems that even the shop floor workers are earning good money compared to Tesco ect. a mate of mine said his Mrs quit her bus driving job to go do checkout at Aldi as the pay and benefits were better! I got on a bus the other day, theyve changed since I was a kid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 1 hour ago, goncall said: I'm doing just that,making a fortune selling gold soup,just need water and 24 carrots lol Quote Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dufjax Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 What sites do you do? I've never ever been asked for my ECS card and only hold on to it in case I want to go back sparking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nova-Security Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 He is right we are having to do the same thing get an ECS card as our white CSCS are about to expire and no longer cover our trade Quote www.nova-security.co.uk www.nsiapproved.co.uk No PMs please unless i know you or you are using this board with your proper name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nova-Security Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 On 1/18/2018 at 22:13, HaddonEast said: Originally holding an ECS certificate, on renewal I was informed that I cannot have that anymore as I don’t have official qualifications and I am not directly employed (sub contractor) so did CSCS instead. Now I can’t get CSCS either because now our industry comes under ECS. At the ripe age of 62 it’s simply not practical to do NVQ because of cost and time. Ask the ECS to book you on the City & guilds NVQ level 3 (the one they require) They won't be able to as it does not exist, currently having a argument with them, spoke to the exam bodies we have training certificates from and also Tavcom, and they are all saying that ECS cant ask for a NVQ level 3 as it hasnt existed for 5 years or more. ECS told us just to apply for the white card for security systems, pass the Health & safety exam and get a letter from our employer stating we can do the job and that's it, and will be upgraded to gold when they get their mess sorted out. BTW ECS card has the CSCS logo on it and is deemed the same. 2 Quote www.nova-security.co.uk www.nsiapproved.co.uk No PMs please unless i know you or you are using this board with your proper name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al-yeti Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 All nonsense , except you need it on very few sites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSE Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 (edited) One of our major clients ask to see our cards for every new site we visit, during the site safety induction. Without it we’re not allowed to leave the site office grounds unaccompanied or start any form of works. Myself, I have a Gold ECS card for Security systems, although I have no qualifications on paper, other than 25 years experience. My own cars shows nothing on the reverse under qualifications, but they still issue me a Gold upon renewal.. your issue is a little odd?. Edited February 3, 2018 by PSE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goncall Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 As pse says 99% of sites ask for it as do most factories/manufacturing plants etc it also goes on the Rams what each engineer holds,ecs ipfa etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miaren Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 On 03/02/2018 at 13:01, Nova-Security said: ECS told us just to apply for the white card for security systems, pass the Health & safety exam and get a letter from our employer stating we can do the job and that's it, and will be upgraded to gold when they get their mess sorted out. Thanks for the tip Nova-Security.. Like the OP I have plentry of experience but not the recognised qualifications, but I applied for the ECS Card last week, using the website, giving them my job description and it's here already. Invaluable site this..... Boys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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