An old man trying to get back into sparking!

John Preston · Mar 5, 2019

Hiya everyone, Ok I'm not that old just a mere 55 years young. It's been a few years now since I left the game and I've been living in France for the past 11 years. Due to return to the UK I quite like the idea of getting back on the tools. Nothing too crazy like house bashing though! I served a full apprenticeship back between 1979 - 1984 and passed my city & guilds however, I understand I would need to update quite a bit. I was last in the trade in 2000 as a maintenance electrician but before that was a contracts manager for about 4 years and before that I worked on commercial and industrial sites doing installation work. In other words I know I have the "experience" but obviously need to update my qualifications. 18th edition for sure but what else would I need please?

telectrix · Mar 5, 2019

some practical experience working alongside a sparks as a mate, maybe with an agency, to get back up to speed with current regs. and practices. we have these wonderful new-fangled bits of test gear that you don't need to wind up to make them work, and they read better than"around 1 -2 ohms"

Pete999 · Mar 5, 2019

John Preston said:
Hiya everyone, Ok I'm not that old just a mere 55 years young. It's been a few years now since I left the game and I've been living in France for the past 11 years. Due to return to the UK I quite like the idea of getting back on the tools. Nothing too crazy like house bashing though! I served a full apprenticeship back between 1979 - 1984 and passed my city & guilds however, I understand I would need to update quite a bit. I was last in the trade in 2000 as a maintenance electrician but before that was a contracts manager for about 4 years and before that I worked on commercial and industrial sites doing installation work. In other words I know I have the "experience" but obviously need to update my qualifications. 18th edition for sure but what else would I need please?

"Old Man" a mere child. 55 is puberty

telectrix · Mar 5, 2019

what's 55 in dog years?

buzzlightyear · Mar 5, 2019

you can teach a horse I mean new dog I mean a man new tricks ,want take you long to get in that saddle ,welcome I'm looking for a apprentice ,I'm 100 year old ,LOL.

Pete999 · Mar 5, 2019

telectrix said:
what's 55 in dog years?

Dunno Tel you're the dog owner, me I don't personally like them, but that's to say I would do them harm.

telectrix · Mar 5, 2019

got the tiny gobby one barking at me to be put in her bed on the sofa now. back in a min.

Pete999 · Mar 5, 2019

Pete999 said:
Dunno Tel you're the dog owner, me I don't personally like them, but that's to say I would do them harm.

It's a personal thing way back from when I was a Lad.

John Preston · Mar 5, 2019

Cheers so far folks, I see the sparks sense of humour still exists! All sounds positive anyway

7029 dave · Mar 5, 2019

Get on the agency, they will take you with your experience (trust me), update a few quals. You will soon get back into the groove.

littlespark · Mar 5, 2019

Why the long face, John?
Oh, sorry... you're the one on the left?

PEG · Mar 5, 2019

Hi dude,welcome back to broken-Britain,where even after everything we get over-charged for,breaks down or goes missing.....we still don't block the motorway with our picnic hampers...just because there was a shortage of plaited bread...

Did you "live" or "stay" in France for those 11 years?

Me pal went over there,and they made him transfer all his assets/savings to French banks......retrieving them when he returned,was "problematic"