Books and courses for an aspiring electrician?

[yung_kio]

Hello, I am a 17 yr old lad who wants to become an electrician.

I am interested in become an apprentice.

I have been unsuccessful with getting into an apprenticeship so in the meantime, what courses do you recommend I enroll in? Free or paid, I don't necessarily mind. I can ask for funding if it's that expensive.

Are there any books that you recommend? I know about Lessons in Industrial Instrumentation but I don't know if UK electricians rate it.

 

[yung_kio]

I have enrolled into a college for Electrical Installation for Sept 2024 but that's just a safety net if I don't get into an apprenticeship.

 

[buzzlightyear]

I have enrolled into a college for Electrical Installation for Sept 2024 but that's just a safety net if I don't get into an apprenticeship.

if i had my time again ,i would have chosen a heating and plumbers one . good luck with the job hunting .

 

[yung_kio]

if i had my time again ,i would have chosen a heating and plumbers one . good luck with the job hunting .

Interesting, why do you say that? I thought plumbers got paid less

 

[buzzlightyear]

Interesting, why do you say that? I thought plumbers got paid less

most wet pants get more then some sparks , we sparks jump through hoops i could have joined a circus but to get where we are, there is lot of maths involved plus other stuff ,i would not like to sugar coat it for you.

 

[yung_kio]

most wet pants get more then some sparks , we sparks jump through hoops i could have joined a circus but to get where we are, there is lot of maths involved plus other stuff ,i would not like to sugar coat it for you.

Why would you want to be covered in human excrement?

 

[Bob Geldoff1234]

Why would you want to be covered in human excrement?

To sugar coat something is to make it sound better than it is.Wetpants is a slang term we refer to plumbers with.

 

[yung_kio]

To sugar coat something is to make it sound better than it is.Wetpants is a slang term we refer to plumbers with.

I'm aware. I was making a half joke.

But I digress, is there a reason no one is recommending me anything? Is this top secret intel?

 

[buzzlightyear]

Why would you want to be covered in human excrement?

Magoraty of wet pants is 75% plumbing the other is in S&&t.

 

[Mike Johnson]

BS7671
On site guide by Unite the union, lots of others, but that one is easer to understand
And : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Practical-Inspection-Certification-Electrical-Installations/dp/1138613320

 

[yung_kio]

BS7671
On site guide by Unite the union, lots of others, but that one is easer to understand
And : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Practical-Inspection-Certification-Electrical-Installations/dp/1138613320

What's so good about the Amazon one?

 

[Mike Johnson]

Its not an amazon book, but easy to get it from them, it has practical articles C&G exam examples with model answers.

 

[nicebutdim]

Its not an amazon book, but easy to get it from them, it has practical articles C&G exam examples with model answers.

A book on inspection and testing might be better at some point in the future. OP is starting out and probably would benefit most from a grounding in basic theory, installation practices and regulations - testing won't be particularly engaging without knowing what it is you're testing.

 

[nicebutdim]

It's not 'optimistic', Mike. OP is a 17yo wanting to start in the industry and likely has limited funds to spend on reading material.

Might as well jump straight into industrial design for all the sense anyone would make of inspection and testing as a starting point.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Try and be a bit more proactive and give some advice instead of just criticising my posts. the OP has got start somewhere, what would you recommend that's not the dry BS?

 

[nicebutdim]

Try and be a bit more proactive and give some advice instead of just criticising my posts. the OP has got start somewhere, what would you recommend that's not the dry BS?

You use the exact same descriptor as I did in this post prior to one from yourself.

am2 before nvq expired

I don't think thats quite right either, I think you only have to have some work experience as an electrician to take the AM2. Doesn't matter what anyone thinks, none of the three versions of AM2 assessment can be booked without proof of NVQ being attained through one of the accepted training...

www.electriciansforums.net

 

[Mike Johnson]

I don't know what you are on at the moment, but I think I would like to try it.

 

[nicebutdim]

Thing is, Mike, I'm currently getting towards the end of an apprenticeship. As far as I'm aware you're not, and never have been, an electrician. That's not intended to belittle, but something I consider to be a valid point where providing advice to a prospective apprentice is concerned.

While testing and inspection is an important subject for all electricians, I don't believe its study will be of much use to the OP at this point and I make that statement with some standing on the subject.

If you disagree by all means put forth your position, but posting daft insults isn't condusive to meaningful discussion, doesn't help the OP and most certainly isn't a viable face saving measure (if that's the reason you resort to it).

 

[timhoward]

This might be worth considering:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BASICS-ELECTRICITY-Master-principles-electricity/dp/B09TN45MLS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

 

[Mike Johnson]

If you disagree by all means put forth your position, but posting daft insults isn't condusive to meaningful discussion, doesn't help the OP and most certainly isn't a viable face saving measure (if that's the reason you resort to it).

It was not meant as an insult daft or not, its intent was to try and defuse what looked to be an ongoing possible future conflict.

 

[David1977m]

The best thing to do isn’t buy a book but watch videos by GSH Electrical (for the practical side) and Joe Robinson (for the theoretical side).
You should get all the training material you will need for each of the units you are doing. If you are only 17 I’m guessing you will be going full time either doing a C&G level 1 (7202) or level 2 (8202) or even a T-level if your local college is doing them. If you are doing level 2 the only book you will need is the On-Site guide BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 (make sure it is brown) as your exam will require you to look up tables and do calculations off the tabulated data and its worth getting familiar with this book before hand.
If you are going to do the course privately at your age you won’t get funding on an accelerated course and will have to pay for it. However if you are doing it privately the course will probably be 2365 L2 or similar as private providers can run the courses (exams) as they like so they can have multiple start dates over the year.
You are starting your training at an awkward time as the Government are pulling funding for under 19’s for all electrical courses bar the T-Level as they want to prove they work. Hopefully this gives you a bit of information. I’ve only put the course codes so you can look up anything that might give you a better insight of what you might be doing.
If you aren’t doing an apprenticeship or T-Level 3 you must complete a Level 2 Diploma before doing a Level 3 diploma. Then once you have the L3 diploma/T-Level you have to find a company willing to hire you as a (Trainee Electrician (Stage 3) while you then do the L3 NVQ 2357-44, AM2 and 18th edition to get your Gold card. As a non apprentice you probably won’t get any funding for the NVQ, AM2 or 18th Edition either.