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"

Pete999 · Mar 6, 2019

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

Apt description there Tel "A tiny gobby one" like it, I take that's Scouse for noisy little Mutt?

Intoelectrics · Mar 6, 2019

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

Sounds like my missus

Pete999 · Mar 6, 2019

Intoelectrics said:
Sounds like my missus

Know what you mean, mine barked at me this morning when I got up.

telectrix · Mar 6, 2019

Pete999 said:
Apt description there Tel "A tiny gobby one" like it, I take that's Scouse for noisy little Mutt?

it's the one on the right in my avatar. 2.4lb soaking wet.

Pete999 · Mar 6, 2019

telectrix said:
it's the one on the right in my avatar. 2.4lb soaking wet.

Nice

telectrix · Mar 6, 2019

Pete999 said:
Nice

she thinks so... spoilt bratt.

Pete999 · Mar 6, 2019

telectrix said:
she thinks so... spoilt bratt.

Is She one of the latest Litter?

John Preston · Mar 6, 2019

PEG said:
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"

I lived there but always kept ties in the UK. In fact I'm still in France now but the move is imminent hence the reason to get myself back on the tools. Not that I have ever been off the tools as I've done 3 house renovations whilst living here!

telectrix · Mar 6, 2019

Pete999 said:
Is She one of the latest Litter?

nope. she was first litter from her daddy (the one on the left),born 2011. hand reared from 2 days old. spent so much time at vets in her early weeks, had her own bed there.