Advice on becoming an Electrician..

[KF81]

Hi there, I am nearly 33 years old and earn just over £7p/h, it may go up to £8.50p/h in the future with the grounds maintenance company i work for. I have started to realize that living on this low income is a struggle and i do not see things getting any better.


My mum passed away last year and has left me some money, so i was thinking about paying for collage or something along those lines to become a qualified electrician.


The thing is, i would like to work for an electricians company at the same time as i am attending collage.


I am confident i have the intelligence to do it and i am a good worker.


At the moment i do not know how to go about any of this so i was hoping for some advice. What sort of course should i go for ? What company's do you think i should try to contact ? Or, would it be better to go with a smaller outfit, like a self employed electrician ? Do you think this is a good idea given my age ?


Many thanks, Kevin

 

[Richard Burns]

Try reading some of the "similar threads" shown at the bottom of the page they may well answer most of your questions.

Taking the City and Guilds 2357 NVQ3 at college would be a very good way to begin.
Have a look at the website www.electricalqualifications.co.uk this has some useful (but slightly dated) information about courses and methods of becoming an electrician.

 

[KF81]

Cheers Richard. I can imagine that this question gets asked a LOT on here ! Some kind people have already sent me messages, which i am grateful for.

 

[johnsparks23]

Give it a go, you'll earn double what you do now, at least. A lot of sparks are ****ed off with the industry but I think is a problem with work in general and the working man getting screwed by big companies and the government. Get started ASAP but you need to get out there, do you know any sparks who could give you a start? The wages will be **** poor while you train but as you know time flys and you'll qualified. Get your NVQ3, if you ever have to work for an agency(poor you!)? They will ask for it and not pay sparks rate without it. They will class you as an electricians mate £8 p/hr
Go for it, best of luck. It's a good job, I like it, still, after 16 yrs in the game.

 

[7029 dave]

Hi Kelvin, hope you don't think I am being rude, but IMO I think you have missed the boat.

 

[Meggerman]

Hi Kelvin, hope you don't think I am being rude, but IMO I think you have missed the boat.

He is only 33!!

 

[GMES]

If it is what you really want to do then go for it but be ready for a long hard ride, but good luck

 

[7029 dave]

He is only 33!!

Quite old for an apprentice would you not say?, understand now why people go on these 5 week course's, only way in isn't it!!!. Its all to cock. lol

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Hi there, I am nearly 33 years old and earn just over £7p/h, it may go up to £8.50p/h in the future with the grounds maintenance company i work for. I have started to realize that living on this low income is a struggle and i do not see things getting any better.


My mum passed away last year and has left me some money, so i was thinking about paying for collage or something along those lines to become a qualified electrician.


The thing is, i would like to work for an electricians company at the same time as i am attending collage.


I am confident i have the intelligence to do it and i am a good worker.


At the moment i do not know how to go about any of this so i was hoping for some advice. What sort of course should i go for ? What company's do you think i should try to contact ? Or, would it be better to go with a smaller outfit, like a self employed electrician ? Do you think this is a good idea given my age ?


Many thanks, Kevin

Get in touch with local training providers, search for colleges and GTA's in your area, and explain what you want to do, they will tell you how to go about it and what it costs. There is sometimes cash available for certain cases to assist you, and they will know if this is the case taking all of your personal circumstances into account.

Don't let age put you off either, some companies prefer older improvers and trainees as they usually have commitments, and are dependable and reliable. But be prepared if you do get into the industry, you will hold the brown end of the stick for a while.

Good luck,

Cheers………….Howard

 

[Meggerman]

He won't be an apprentice. He will go to college and pay for it himself, get himself to the job, hold an interesting conversation and most of all be interested in getting on. Far better than an apprentice!!

 

[trev]

Go for it mate, if you don't you'll still be stuck in a rut in 10/15/20 years time. You might fall flat on your arse and hate it but on the other hand, if you don't try you'll never know.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

[markc123]

I am gonna be number #1 kunt here .... save the sob stories, we all have our problems - that stays away from the forum.

That's clear, not having a go just saying

Right matey, As howard says - ring up the college, go to the interviews pass CV's around as much as possible in the hope of experience. It's a struggle at first but well worth it. This forum is a great resource for people, stick around and you'll learn valuable knowledge Looking forward to more of your posts.

I wish you all the best.

 

[Meggerman]

Oh... and change your profile to a girl with her --- hanging out her jeans and you will get a sickeningly disproportional amount of interest in your posts.... whatever you are asking

 

[markc123]

Oh... and change your profile to a girl with her --- hanging out her jeans and you will get a sickeningly disproportional amount of interest in your posts.... whatever you are asking

or guy.

come on lets not be picky.

 

[jamie-spark]

Quite old for an apprentice would you not say?, understand now why people go on these 5 week course's, only way in isn't it!!!. Its all to cock. lol

Don't know what it's like down in England

In Scotland, anyone over the age of 22 can become an adult apprentice. Takes 4 years (same as juniors) and u end up with same qualifications

Course consist of same sections to pass (CARS) then you sit the FICA (used to be AM2)at the end.

Training rates are good and lots of the big companies like FES AND McKays up here take them on

 

[moospark]

I am gonna be number #1 kunt here .... save the sob stories, we all have our problems - that stays away from the forum.

That's clear, not having a go just saying

Right matey, As howard says - ring up the college, go to the interviews pass CV's around as much as possible in the hope of experience. It's a struggle at first but well worth it. This forum is a great resource for people, stick around and you'll learn valuable knowledge Looking forward to more of your posts.

I wish you all the best.

Well I found that quite encouraging, And not number 1 punt at all, and you're from Yorkshire?

 

[markc123]

Well I found that quite encouraging, And not number 1 punt at all, and you're from Yorkshire?

Aye, sorry for my bluntness lol!

Yorkshire Born and Bred, Strong in Arms and awesome in bed.

Now, someone like tel, mdj, biff, trev, archy will come along and change the wording to that lol.

 

[trev]

Also, start touting CVs round agencies looking for a job as a mate, it might be ages before you land one but the sooner you start the sooner it will happen. This will give you a bit of an insight into what a spark really does and will also allow you to take photos for building up your portfolio.

The pay probably won't be much more than you're on right now but the experience will be invaluable.

- - - Updated - - -

Aye, sorry for my bluntness lol!

Yorkshire Born and Bred, Strong in Arms and 2 pumps and a funny face in bed.

Now, someone like tel, mdj, biff, trev, archy will come along and change the wording to that lol.

Well the invitation was there.

 

[markc123]

It's a good job you're a friendly mackem trev...

:leaving:

 

[johnsparks23]

33, never to old mate, when I qualified in 1999 there were loads of blokes in there late 30s & 40s.
the pension age will be 150 in a few yrs. so you've got a long career ahead! Good luck.