The likelihood is that you have come across advertised training courses offering to magically transform you into a fully qualified tradesman in as little as two or three weeks. Unfortunately, it is very often the case that the training offered does not in any way qualify anyone to undertake serious electrical or plumbing work simply because the course only certificates for basic ability to only carry out limited operations.Unfortunately, the trainee may only become aware of the limited scope of the training at a very late stage and may still try to justify the knowledge gained as being possibly sufficient to muddle through. Depending on the working circumstances, sometimes there may not be a choice in carrying out work with which he or she has little or no experience or qualification of competency to carry out. We only get to hear the end result of this sorry state of affairs when a serious accident or fatality is reported in the press or on local TV.The most common mistake made is the difference between becoming a Domestic Installer and training as a fully qualified electrician. A Domestic Installer is trained to carry out basic domestic electrical work, such as the installation and replacement of electrical components, putting in and/or rerouting cables, lighting, and similar types of work.To reach the defined standard of Domestic installer, a first course must be taken, which takes generally between 2 to 5 days. To be able to legally carry out the electrical work and self certify, registration onto a 'competent persons' scheme - commonly known as Part P - is required so that the chosen Governing body can, by appointment, make the necessary work assessment.Part P registration is only completed once the City & Guilds 2382 (17th Edition)- which provides a full understanding of BS7671 - Wiring Regulations - is obtained, up to 12 months from registration/acceptance.Learning to become an electrician begins with the City & Guilds 2330 level 2, with a total intensive period of different knowledge training of 20 weeks. It is with the award of this qualification that gives approved status to enter into the electrical industry where skills, knowledge and valuable experience is gained for the necessary onsite assessments required in order to obtain NVQ level 3.In addition, further training in the City & Guilds 2382 (17th Edition) and City & Guilds 2391 (Inspection & Testing) is required before being considered to be a fully fledged electrician within the commercial and industrial sector. The EAL VRQ Domestic Installers Certificate is the relevant qualification to register onto a Part P scheme needed to work within domestic dwellings.It is strikingly obvious that there are clear and important differences between the two types of training requirements and final qualifications. Understanding these differences and what to expect by fully enquiring before embarking on an electrical course is strongly advised to avoid making a costly and potentially fatal mistake.