Don't know which Level to study [City & Guilds - 1 or 2]

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Okay, i'm a mature student wanting to get in to the motor industry as a technician. But always wanted to learn welding as a skill, which will most certainly be useful in the industry to perform repairs to exhaust systems, sills, and other areas of vehicle repair. As well of course as increasing my employability come Level 3 as an apprentice.But I don't know whether to take level 1 or 2!!When starting my Automotive Engineering course I went straight in at Level 2, I didn't see the point in wasting a lot of money for level 1, when I can delve straight in at Level 2, learn as I go and it's going very well, in fact i'm learning very fast and most certainly keeping up - if not getting ahead of others whom have actually done Level 1. In fact level 1 seems very very basic now.So i'm thinking since level 1 and 2 (C&G, level 2 being award in welding skills and one introduction to welding skills) are the same price I could see about going in at level 2 and basically learning significantly more about welding than at level 1, more knowledge, more value for money, same end game. But can I apply this logic to welding, like I did automotive.Level 2 is more practical than level 1 - which concentrates a lot on knowledge. Academically I could learn the theory and put it in to practice, use to to guide me during the course - but i've never welded so would level 2 also apply the basic theory and demonstrate the basics in practice or would it be expected that we've actually welded before and used the equipment before?Hope this makes sense.Your thoughts are most appreciated.
Reply:Gut feeling and with no background basis to claim this is all correct...take the Level 1 course first. While Level 1 in engineering may prove to be a waste of money, the same probably isn't true for Level 1 welding. Welding requires both a good deal of knowledge/experience and eye/hand coordination. Skip the eye/hand coordination you should learn in Level 1 and you're going to be at a disadvantage.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Thanks for the reply.Will Level 1 teach me the down and dirty of welding I need for the motor trade then? My main worry is too much enthusiast will be on health and safety regs, COSH etc etc rather than actually learning the art of welding. I understand it's an important aspect, and all levels will require the knowledge of course.
Reply:Originally Posted by NewUserHereThanks for the reply.Will Level 1 teach me the down and dirty of welding I need for the motor trade then? My main worry is too much enthusiast will be on health and safety regs, COSH etc etc rather than actually learning the art of welding. I understand it's an important aspect, and all levels will require the knowledge of course.
Reply:Fellow Brit here. I'd say do the Level 1 first, the H & S might be a pain, but you need it. However, there is also a lot of underpinning knowledge which you'll learn at Level 1, and if you're ever going to do more with your welding than patch up exhausts, you need to learn it. Don't think you learn too fast to be held back by learning the basics properly, it will catch up with you in the end.