Distributor x,
I understand where you're coming from. As an apprentice, I've definitely considered loopholes to try and get my card as fast as possible. The conclusion I've come to though, is that to deprive myself of this valuable learning experience would be to cut my legs out from under me.
Everyone is allowed to make mistakes, but as an apprentice, it is undestoood that you are still learning. However, there are certain expectactions placed on licensed electricians. It is assumed they have gone through their apprenticeship and that there are many things they should already know. Certainly many of these things are skills and knowledge you won't pick up from passing the EC test.
I caution you that if you do decide to skip the apprenticeship, be prepared to have your first few months or even years as an EC, be very much a trial-by-fire. You will have to learn and adapt extremely quickly just to keep pace with folks who already have a minimum of four years experience under their belt. If you can do it, more power to you, but I would be very careful about under-estimating the ease of any trade, this one included.
Good luck to you either way.
-John
[This message has been edited by BigJohn (edited 09-25-2005).]
