Apprentice 121 Podcast

We have a huge opportunity during the era of abundance and with some joined up thinking, honesty and combined approach we can change the dynamic around training and outcomes in the electrical sector. In this video I run through some of the challenges, problems and offer solutions. As I say I am far from an expert as some like to point out. All I have is my experience of running businesses in the sector, working in it for 25+ years and carrying out endless training and CPD of my own and those I employ. Combined with a small community called Apprentice 121 and 6 years of running that including the period of Covid. I mean I would say it makes me qualified to offer a view, but hey perhaps not. I think we have an exciting future and its great to see a sector moving in what I think is the right direction with a few tweaks around the edges much needed to iron out the kinks and dams built by the otters #ifyouknowyouknow .... #teamsparks

Neil Phillips joins me to share his route into the electrical industry and subsequent creation of Electrical courses Ltd in Cambridge. You can find Neil online here https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-phillips-345a1a69/https://www.instagram.com/electricalcourses/https://www.tiktok.com/@electricalcourses @electricalcourses ​

We get into safety of solar and battery systems. We are seeing worrying trends around scare mongering and simplification of cause/effect. But what do you think? Is solar of itself the problem or as discussed more to do with training, specification and how we maintain kit. Get involved in the comments and share your views alongside a couple of designers, installers and users of solar.https://proteusswitchgear.com/solar-pv-consumer-units-saving-time-and-space-on-site/

We are joined by the incredible Matt Telford to share his recent experience completing AM2 and the NVQ 3 following on from prior chats along his journey! Craig and Mark also share some plans with A121 training and the new EAS qualification standard....I loved this chat with two brilliant people of the electrical industry (Mark typing here). Craig and Matt are two of the good guys!

Let me tell you a tale about A121 training! Are you looking to do solar, battery or EV courses? Get in touch

I am joined by industry power houses Luke Osborne - ESF Technical Director, David Powell ESF electrical installation safety engineer, Paul Collins NICEIC technical director and Sam Donaghy NICEIC head of technical advice. We discuss what WRAG is, its role and one of the topical subjects some people are discussing online atm, namely meter cabinets and single insulated cables. I share my views which are opposing to those of Wrag and best practice guidance but with understanding towards the technical analysis of what a box is and how it can be seen as an electrical enclosure. I guess it boils down to external influences and how these boxes are accessed and operated. Even as skilled people should we be expected to enter areas that could reasonably provide us with insulated and sheathed protection when we cant isolate that "enclosure" pre entering it. I am interested to hear your thoughts and views on this and as I mentioned in the chat these people nail the vast majority of these questions and guidance documents. Which is why this particular issue makes no sense to me. My only hope is to stop seeing so many of these installations carried out on new build homes in particular. When consumer safety and standards matter it simply should not be a thing imho. Thanks to the gents for giving up time on an evening to talk about this topic and maybe we will have the opportunity to discuss other things in the future. A real privilege I am not ungrateful for as this recording was done at 7pm out of working hours.

We got into some topics and half on this one! Huge thanks to Richard and Craig for digging into these topics and sharing views/experience. Loved it and hopefully it is useful to those listening along. Richard sharing his involvement in investigating poor electrical work, Craig designing a global trading room floor and Mark taking Solar!

Was great to catch up with Richard and Craig after a bit of a while! We got into the ESF event, Craigs day job, RCD blinding, Testing for DC leakage and loads more! Also towards the end we discuss A121 training.....

We get into the difficulties employers have in 2025 funding apprenticeships and the huge waste of tax payer funding on full time study routes. What do you think? What are the solutions?

Mark, Richard and Craig discuss their experiences of training in the electrical industry with questions answered around science and principles, information on ESF initiatives and what we think to recent changes around minimum apprenticeship lengths and entry requirements. Loved this chat

Are the lack of AFDDs a C2? Should EICR coding be changed and lotsssss more. Mark, Richard and Craig discuss a wide range of topics, with tips and discussion points for all trainees and electricians.

Any questions answered from employers, trainees and electricians including Mark who puts a question to Craig regarding  @Doncaster_Cables  PV ultra SWA. Merry Christmas to everyone who has listened along in 2024 and prior. Special thanks to all the individuals and brands helping along with the college drops which will be completed in early 2025. We will be back with regular weekly episodes in the New Year. #apprentice121

Can we rely on software for electrical design? What are ESF doing to support industry? What is ETT and the Northern Ireland event about? Why is Mark slowly sailing around the world? The ECN awards and Apprentice 121 college support visits. We cover a lot of ground in this one and it was brilliant to catch up with Richard and Craig. Go and watch this https://apprentice121.co.uk/louise-adamson if you do nothing else today, essential viewing. Loved it!

Long overdue catch up with Craig and Richard chatting about incoming changes to T levels (again), challenges training providers have, different earthing systems, steel conduit tips, science and principles tips and loadssss more. We have something coming with Michael Peace soon which is super exciting.

Exclusive run through of amendment 4 to BS 7671 of the wiring regulations with Richard Harvey from Electric Safety First and Craig Buist from Burgess Electrical Services. We rarely get an exclusive run at anything on the only podcast dedicated to apprentices and trainees but the stars aligned today for us! It was supposed to be purely earthing and bonding but we thought this made more sense! We also ran through the now uncool amendment 3 of BS 7671! We did include a run through of earthing systems right at the end! The wrag can found here https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/professional-resources/technical-e-news/the-wrag/#:~:text=The%20aim%20of%20this%20forum,series%20of%20questions%20and%20answers. BEMA download here https://www.beama.org.uk/resourceLibrary/beama---markings-and-symbols-for-circuit-protection-devices---august-2024.html Draft for public comment here https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/search?Term=BS+7671 IET webinar here https://events.theiet.org/events/live-launch-of-the-dpc-for-amendment-4-2026-to-bs-76712018-iet-wiring-regulations/ CEF/IET one here https://www.linkedin.com/posts/city-electrical-factors_techtalks-series-4-bs-7671-proposed-changes-activity-7226995560732397568-0ucs?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Covering the safe isolation super rod survey, EICR coding of unidirectional devices on bidirectional circuits, is there a skills shortage? Plus we catch up with what Richard, Craig and myself have been doing. We also discus Craigs idea to support lecturers directly around the UK (love this btw). Richard shares an exciting learning lounge and ESF link up and we answer a listeners question on the 2396 course. Super Rod survey is here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G6CD8WJ

We take a look at what Earthing and Bonding actually is and set out on a series to cover this and more! Also as its current we discuss the BS 7671 AMD3 Please get your comments in here https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2024-01247#/section IET webinar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WSqH9qatkI&pp=ygUDaWV0 CEF Tech talks AMD 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7eWUJoe5mI

Alex Robinson joins me to share his background, experiences and knowledge. Huge thanks to him for the time and chat, I loved it! We covered T levels, Options Skills, Apprenticeships, finding a job out of school, getting into teaching and loads more! Links mentioned in the recording below EAL with Kevin Sparrow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5hOOKngMYo&t=314s EAL FAQ on Options Skills https://eal.org.uk/news/faqs-for-learners-registered-for-eal-qualifications-by-options-skills-ltd Alex Robinson on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-robinson-cl-bse/ SkillELECTRIC https://www.skillelectric.org.uk/ T Level Technical Qualification in Building Services Engineering for Construction qualifications and training courses | City & Guilds https://www.cityandguilds.com/qualifications-and-apprenticeships/building-services-industry/electrical-installation/8710-t-level-technical-qualification-in-building-services-engineering-for-construction#tab=information

We delve into the collision between wiring standards and products standards. Looking at how electricians are faced with challenges in all areas. We also have a chat around the development of industry standards, the evolving technology out in industry. RCD testing and a chat about street based EV chargers running from domestic premises into public places. If you have questions for Alex next week on T levels or some topics to discuss around earthing and bonding please do drop them in below. Thanks to Richard and Craig as always for giving up time to come and chat. I loved this one and really enjoyed the chat.

We delve into the murky waters of T levels with a lecturer currently delivering them alongside his stand out colleagues. Andrew Duffen joins myself and Richard to discuss everything he has learned and developed through experience. Along with things that maybe need some tweaking. I hope very much the industry of things is listening to the likes of Andrew to develop and ensure these courses are a success for learners and wider industry. As mentioned in the podcast if you are an employer please do reach out to your local training providers and HELP. To contact Andrew you can find him on LinkedIn here https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-duffen-b0ab15189/ For further information on T levels you can look here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introduction-of-t-levels/introduction-of-t-levels Massive thanks to Richard and Andrew. Without them podcasts like this wouldnt be a thing. I learned loads and I hope you did as well. Get involved in the comments!

What is going on in the training industry right now to become and electrician??? Matt Telford joins me to discuss his apprenticeship so far and our views on the wider training sector. Including the recent closure of Options Skills. Links to information from TESP is here https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-electrotechnical-skills-partnership-tesp/ The EAL form to complete here https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=HCImCwjAsUeUx1iguJdhzP8vrVFVuMpPqghoY6xUYV9UOE02NDhVOVNKWldPUEtEMjhSRjBWR05aOS4u The rogue trainers information here https://www.roguetrainers.co.uk/rogue-trainers-top-tips/ The administrators information here https://www.begbies-traynorgroup.com/ Please do follow all the advice and if we can help at Apprentice 121 we will.

Craig and Richard join me for a catch up of what has been going on. From Craig's huge project at Burgess Electrical and Ieng application to Richard presenting at Elex Ally Pally. The presentation by ESF from Richard and David went down really well and it was good to hear all about that and the pressure that comes with it! We are going to try take the show on the road for a look around Craig's project if the stars align and share the design files alongside it. As a look through a bigger project. Which at a personal level I am excited about, not just because I can be cameraman while Craig presents but because it looks interesting! We are also going to delve into earthing and bonding aimed at apprentice level onwards which will help me no end! I learn way more than I give on these. Huge thanks to the guys again for taking the time out here. Massively appreciated and as always loved it!

This episode is all things you need to know as a trainee in the electrical industry and follows on from other videos already available on the podcast. Join in the NAW 2024 and celebrate everything about apprenticeships and skills for life. Check out https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/national-apprenticeship-week https://www.electricalcareers.co.uk/ for full details on all the routes.

This episode is all business in the electrical industry and follows on from other videos already available on the podcast. Join in the NAW 2024 and celebrate everything about apprenticeships and skills for life. Check out https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/national-apprenticeship-week https://www.electricalcareers.co.uk/ for full details on all the routes.

This episode is all about further training in the electrical industry and follows on from other videos already available on the podcast. Join in the NAW 2024 and celebrate everything about apprenticeships and skills for life. Check out https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/national-apprenticeship-week https://www.electricalcareers.co.uk/ for full details on all the routes.

This episode is all about career prospects in the electrical industry and follows on from other videos already available on the podcast. Join in the NAW 2024 and celebrate everything about apprenticeships and skills for life. Check out https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/national-apprenticeship-week https://www.electricalcareers.co.uk/ for full details on all the routes.

This episode is all about day to day life in the electrical industry and follows on from other videos already available on the podcast. Join in the NAW 2024 and celebrate everything about apprenticeships and skills for life. Check out https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/national-apprenticeship-week https://www.electricalcareers.co.uk/ for full details on all the routes.

This episode is all about how to find employment in the electrical industry and follows on from other videos already available on the podcast. Join in the NAW 2024 and celebrate everything about apprenticeships and skills for life. Check out https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/national-apprenticeship-week https://www.electricalcareers.co.uk/ for full details on all the routes.

This episode is all about how to enter the electrical industry and follows on from other videos already available on the podcast. From apprenticeships to self funded routes and much in between. We will be keeping this episodes at around 10 minutes long and hopefully they are useful in particular to school leavers and parents. Join in the NAW 2024 and celebrate everything about apprenticeships and skills for life. Check out https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/national-apprenticeship-week https://www.electricalcareers.co.uk/ for full details on all the routes.

When plumbers and electricians collide! Had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Damon Blakemore from Blakemore Plumbing Heating and Renewables. We got into MCS and how that works (or sometimes doesn't) for electricians and plumbers. Along with the similarities we have in our trades from short course training, job proposals, miss selling, bad business practices, apprenticeship decline and the huge upside that comes with the renewable sector. It is great to hear from a small business owner in the trenches trying to make it work and deliver quality systems for consumers. I felt Damon's passion for his craft and lots of what he said really resonated with my own industry. It was interesting to hear the views we sometimes share in the electrical industry towards the gas safe model for example are not what we think! For anyone who wants to reach Damon check out his twitter profile and website below https://twitter.com/Damon_BPHR https://blakemoreplumbingandheating.co.uk/about-us

Designing CAT A and CAT B electrical installations, what are electrical safety first up to in 2024 and Mark’s solar installation video series! Plus the IET standard 01, what is it, is it good? bad? Genius? We give our views!   The Proteus tour/apprentice visit day is 6th of Feb in Telford, get in touch to join us!  Richard and Craig join me to catch up and have a wide ranging chat!  I loved chatting with the guys again after the Christmas and New Year break.  The links to things discussed in the podcast can be found below!  If you have a topic you want us to cover or want to come and talk on the podcast itself please do reach out!  From the ESF WRAG which you can find out more about here https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/professional-resources/technical-e-news/the-wrag/   To the new NAPIT podcast here https://www.napit.org.uk/news/article/napit-launch-podcast.aspx   Along with the IET standard on PEN devices here https://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/years/2023/96-july-2023/setting-a-new-iet-standard/

How to design electrical circuits/installations using software from industry leading ElectricalOM - Modecsoft. Super star Spencer Henry joins myself, Craig and Richard to demonstrate the power of electricalOM and how it can help us correctly design electrical systems. ElectricalOM is packed with so many features it is very hard to give fair coverage in a single podcast! From CAD to AC and DC designs, certifications, reports, schematics, charts, selectivity surveys, anticipated fault currents and wider test measurements. The team at Modecsoft are wonderful, accessible and want to deliver a product that works for electricians and the industry as a whole. My own view its unmatched at any level, Demetris and the team have done an incredible job and it is still evolving all the time! If you haven’t already make sure to check it out! If you are in education and would like to use the product please get in touch and we can help provide free educational licences. If you are a spark and you want to try the industry leading product you can for FREE for 14 days, link below. Huge thanks to Spencer, Richard and Craig for joining me on this Christmas Special! Thank you to everyone for the awesome support in 2023. Be that apprentices, trainees, electricians, trainers, employers, manufacturers and brands! I have loved it and cant wait for 2024! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A run through some of the things we achieved in 2023 and the awesome support from across industry and what we have planned for 2024. Christmas special next week with the team! It has been a fantastically enjoyable year and huge thanks to everyone for the support especially all those who appeared on the podcast! #teamsparks #apprentice121 #electricians

Dave comes back with the blockbuster finale to his sensational solar PV design example. I loved sitting in on this one and its brilliant to see these podcasts close up at a personal level. I cant emphasize enough how much time and effort the guys have all put into these. In my opinion the example put forward here by Dave is level 4 and anyone following along will hopefully get some value from it. That is why we have done these! The files are on the website here for people to review and reference. https://apprentice121.co.uk/solar-pv-design-scenario Get involved in the chat around these and thank you!

Myself and Craig have podcasting royalty with us on this one. Sam from the  @ELECTRICIANSPODCAST  comes in to give his views alongside us. I have to give a massive thanks to Sam, Craig, Ricky, Neil, Jamie, Richard, David and the entire Apprentice 121 family for the awesome ECN finalist nomination. Its unlikely we will win with JTL and others in the same award, however just getting to that stage is INCREDIBLE. Not to forget all the trainees, trainers and employers! LEGENDS. In this one we delve into things training providers can consider to improve training that is delivered. Some of the horrific practices going on out in the training spaces. Most importantly how you can best navigate through that in the here and now. We hope it helps and please get involved in the comments!

The guys are back next to finish the design series off with a bang. Well hopefully not an actual bang lol. In this one I talk about some of the events coming up and the awesome experience of visiting the NET skills celebration at the o2 arena. Along with our cool nomination for an ECN award later this month! I also show a little bit of what we are up to at the academy and show you around. Free space for use by ALL. #apprentice121 #podcast

David and Richard the superstars from Electrical Safety First join me again to run through the design question set out 2 weeks ago. The files can be found here https://apprentice121.co.uk/solar-pv-design-scenario along with the prior introduction to the scenario! In this one we start the cable calculation and set the scene for the final twist coming in part 2 of the answers! We are taking our time with these as plenty are following along from level 2 onwards so apologies to those more advance who would prefer a quicker approach. Please get involved in the comments and join in the with the answers. This is all about encouraging people towards design at an early stage of learning and supporting those progressing along to level 4. Huge thanks to Richard and David once again, I loved it yet again!

Richard and David join me to set out another design scenario to work on. This time a solar PV system on agricultural premises! Centered on Davids experience from the solar industry. David goes into his career so far and how he ended up at Electrical Safety First. I loved this one and please do listen to the end and head over to the apprentice 121 website and download the files/take part! We will be back in 2 weeks to run through the answers and I am looking forward to it already! Richard and David have pulled out the stop again with this and I am super grateful for the support towards apprentice 121. You can find the ESF best practice guides here: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/professional-resources/best-practice-guides/ The design files can be found here

Richard and Craig run through the final questions on the EVSE design scenario from the live webinar last week! Thanks to all for the kind feedback and questions coming back in! We covered correction factors on 90 and 70 degree SWA cables, Max Zs values on a 30mA RCD, Max Ib value for a ring final circuit and loads loads more! I thoroughly enjoyed myself through this entire series so far, have learned bucket loads and built some skills around screen sharing lol. Massibe thanks to Richard and David from Electrical Safety First for joining in and Craig Buist of Burgess Electrical Services. Absolute superstars! We will be back with more design examples and other podcasts soon! Next up The Water Sparky!

We run through the design and specification of an EV charge point installation with the Super stars Richard Harvey (Electric Safety First), David Powell (Electric Safety First), Craig Buist (BES) and myself. The guys go through this in detail from start to finish with references to the regulations and product details. I really enjoyed it myself and we recorded this in webinar format with other guest contributing questions along the way. Primarily aimed at apprentices but something for everyone, especially those considering 2396. Electrical design is something that is really interesting and exciting! Understanding, encouraging and developing design skills is what it is all about. Huge thanks to the guys again and to everyone who came along on the night! All the files are on this page https://apprentice121.co.uk/design-webinar

This one is packed with chat from Matt finding some work experience to Richard explaining the great work going on with Electric Safety First and Craig's awesome 2396 achievement and his booming job role at Burgess Electrical Services. I loved this one and we covered the plan to host a live webinar on design in the next week or so. Please see www.apprentice121.co.uk/design-webinar

Matt very kindly joins me to share his knowledge about apprenticeship standards and frameworks alongside his direct experience working towards retraining as an electrician. We discuss his background, efforts helping with the apprentice121 facebook group and tips he has for others looking to enter industry at all levels. We will be getting Matt back on again soon with the rest of the guys and hopefully on a regular basis going forwards. The 5 minute segment of Matts tips is golden in my opinion. We discuss the awesome  @GSHElectrical  and  @efixx  along with some feedback on  @SparkyNinja  online training. You can find Matt on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/sparky_by_fifty/ Ledge approved is here https://www.instagram.com/ledge_approved/ The apprentice 121 facebook group which growing by the day! here https://www.facebook.com/groups/apprentice121 Thanks again to Matt and please fire any questions over in the comments. The team will be back once Richard has finished sunning himself, Jamie has figured out his cat cable through crimper and Craig has got his 2396 results lol.

Episode 3 of the design series moves things along again. This time into 3 phase and to include power factor! Richard leads the show again working from the example built by Craig! I am a passenger on these and enjoy learning something new every single week! Massive thanks to the guys for taking the time and putting this together. Huge thanks to everyone for the kind feedback and recent bump in numbers on the audio versions! Website to access the download etc is https://apprentice121.co.uk/electrical-design-podcast

Craig Wiltshire joins me to discuss the brand new domestic experienced worker route! This is suitable for people with 3 years working experience in the domestic sector who are currently working in that environment and want to attain the domestic electrician standard. You must have 3 years relevant experience and existing qualifications in industry. The evidence built through the assessment can only be from the date after which you start it! NET are putting in place the AM2 ED for end point assessment and it looks like a domestic gold card will be forthcoming. I will confirm this with the JIB soon for clarification. TESP, NET and those working hard to develop these mechanisms to raising standards and opportunities have done a great job here. The program should take around 18 months to complete and will be starting out in industry imminently. For further details please see the TESP website here https://www.electrical-ewa.org.uk/ NET can be found here https://www.netservices.org.uk/am2ed/ To contact Craig you can email him directly here [email protected] Thanks again to Craig for asking to come on and talk about this and sharing his knowledge.

Richard takes us through a design example covering all the calculations needed from design current, OCPD sizing, Grouping, Thermal effects and lots more! We also have a little competition running to win a Chauvin Arnoux 740N safety tester! Watch to the end and get involved! Link to the webpage with all the PDFs discussed shown below! https://apprentice121.co.uk/electrical-design-podcast

We discuss the design of an electrical circuit based on a typical kitchen lighting system with 10 (very bright) down lights. Richard and Craig take us through the design journey from start to finish through the course on a new and exciting series on design. We will introduce more of the calculations and considerations in circuit design on the next one with correction factors, Zs, adiabatic and more! If you have some scenarios you want covering please feel free to reach out. Richard is a technical expert for electrical safety first and decades experienced lecturer. Craig is a former department manager at a college with decades of teaching experience and now manager at a large, respected electrical contracting firm. Mark occasionally does electrical things and can press record!

A podcast to help people looking for employment as apprentices and also to help employers who are looking to employ them! Information and advice from both sides of that discussion. Also some chat around CEF live, giveaways and those who are trying to scam people and rip off JIB gold cards.... https://www.gov.uk/employing-an-apprentice/get-funding https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates

Kevin Smith joins me to discuss what Power Quality is and why it is ever more important as we move towards renewable energy and electric vehicle charging. Kevin is also an apprentice trained electrician with vast experience in the lecturing/training sector. I learnt loads in this one and we just scratched the surface. From discussion around harmonics, power factor and linear/non linear loads which is a great topic for learners to delve into. If anyone else would like to appear on the podcast the door is always open to everyone. Please email [email protected] The webinars Kevin mentioned and the other products can be found below https://www.chauvin-arnoux.co.uk/en The social media contacts for Chauvin Arnoux and Kevin himself also below https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-smith-connect/https://www.linkedin.com/company/chauvin-arnoux/?originalSubdomain=frhttps://twitter.com/ChauvinUK

We discuss why design is so important with electrical systems. From the rule of thumb approach to software and direct calculation! Design is a part of the apprenticeship and full time routes we also have the level 4 2396 to consider as well. We had a mini brain wave during this podcast and will be structuring something on the next one! Massive thanks to the superstars of the show Craig and Richard. I merely press record and publish the episode! Legends.

What is the best route to qualify as electrician and get a gold card? A question I get asked daily. It is such a tricky one to cover as it varies around all regions of the UK. I discuss the key options available to you and how they map out with employers and training providers. Please check out the links below for full details and some of the free support for trainees. https://www.electricalcareers.co.uk/joining-the-industry/training-routes/ https://www.jib.org.uk/ https://www.ecscard.org.uk/ https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/36MP-CXA/student-application-form https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmH9pe0TqqE