Career Change - What would you do in my shoes...

[Frank_620]

Hi Guys,

I've done a lot of reading here and elsewhere and am 90% sure of what i am going to do but would like some options from people in the know/that have done it.

Background: I have been a physics teacher for 9 years but have always wanted a practical trade based job. I am quite confident with most diy things and have decided i really want a change and electrician is the way i want to go.

At the age of 30, my options are limited. My current thinking is to do the NVQ level 3 course with Option Skills. It is expensive at 6.5k but it can be done over 8 weeks. I then figured i could get a job as an electricians mate and slowly gain experience etc and be given more responsibility.

I get paid full time from teaching in August so that would cover 4 of my 8 weeks on the course.

The other option is trying to get a job as an electricians mate straight away and work up to doing a course but i have a family and so weekends/evenings are precious.

I guess my main question is it it difficult to get a job working with another electrician once i have my qualifications and is this the route you would take?

Thanks in advance,
Frank

 

[Pete999]

Welcome Frank, I've got to ask though, why do you want to leave teaching, it's not a bad career is it? are are you finding Teaching unrewarding, if you take this route of a career change, it wont be an easy transition, not just because of your previous role, but for anyone who, hasn't worked with their hands, although you did mention you have some good DIY skill. Any how good luck with your career change hope it all goes as planned.

 

[telectrix]

i had the chance to train as a teacher way back. if i'd gone for it, I'd now be drawing in a £1500+/month pension instead of the pittance I get from state pension, having been self-employed for 40 years, paying tax on everything. now 71 and have to keep working to survive.

 

[littlespark]

I would have loved to be a teacher except for two things.

The kids, and their parents.

 

[telectrix]

I would have loved to be a teacher except for two things.

The kids, and their parents.

teaching at college could be a way out of that.

 

[Pete999]

I had a chance to teach at RAF Cardington once, but didn't really fancy it, good job I didn't really, would never have had the travel chances I got later on in my career.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

if you dont mind me asking if teaching physics I assume you have a science degree of some sort? possibly even in Physics? in which case you can earn an awful lot more using your degree than you would likely earn as an electrician... i fully expect teaching pays a lot more than the average electrical job.
industry and a lot of companies are crying out for scientists and engineers.. physics includes a lot of maths.. again very sought after by big firms...
If you are keen to change career.. how about working in the city in finance... science/physics/maths all very analytical and have met plenty of people using these skills in london and to put it bluntly.. after 2 years were literally rolling in cash! one retired at age 40 and lives a live of luxury....
There are many many better options than being a spark with a decent degree...

 

[fuse]

if you dont mind me asking if teaching physics I assume you have a science degree of some sort? possibly even in Physics? in which case you can earn an awful lot more using your degree than you would likely earn as an electrician... i fully expect teaching pays a lot more than the average electrical job.
industry and a lot of companies are crying out for scientists and engineers.. physics includes a lot of maths.. again very sought after by big firms...
If you are keen to change career.. how about working in the city in finance... science/physics/maths all very analytical and have met plenty of people using these skills in london and to put it bluntly.. after 2 years were literally rolling in cash! one retired at age 40 and lives a live of luxury....
There are many many better options than being a spark with a decent degree...

I will add to this, I went from an engineer (on the tools) position in 2002 when I could earn over 50k pretty easily with the hours available. I got a job as a tutor in a college (in 2002) paid at 31k
This teaching lark which is easy is not the super paid job people think. I have been at college and back uni to qualify as a teacher to be able to earn what I need to. Only teachers can earn decent coin not those who are not qualified teachers. I will stress the tern QUALIFIED AND TEACHERS.

 

[Frank_620]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I have a 3rd in Astrophysics with sounds good apart from the 3rd bit! I've also always known i made an error and have not really enjoyed my time as a teacher. I am a practical person at heart and have rebuilt cars, fitted bathrooms and kitchens etc and from some experience i think i will really enjoy electrics.

Teaching pays about 32k but really you are then capped without a lot of extra work which quite frankly i don't want to do when i already work 8-5 and then 7pm-9pm most nights!


Assuming I do want to make the change, the question i'd really like to know is is it likely i will be able to find work once i've gained this qualification or am i going about it the wrong way? This is the course: NVQ Electrical Training Course - Options Skills - Electrician, Gas & Plumbing Training - http://www.options-skills.co.uk/nvq-electrical-training-course/

I love the idea of working for myself but am perfectly happy in knowing that this might be 3, 4, 5 years down the line once i have gained enough experience.

 

[Deleted account]

I would say go for it. With a physics background your probably going to get the cable calcs Sussed better than a lot of experienced sparks.
As for route to qual. I would suggest:
Nvq level 2 and 3
17th edition qual ( soon to be 18th)
And a part p course if going to do domestic.
Also
Yes get experience as mate with a spark.
(Getting a spark to take you on is going to be the most difficult)
After 2 years proven experience on the tools you can get registered in your own right with a competant persons scheme.
Total 4-5 years minimum.

Don't go the five week wonder route. You cannot learn enough or gain enough experience that way.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I had a chance to teach at RAF Cardington once, but didn't really fancy it, good job I didn't really, would never have had the travel chances I got later on in my career.

Raf Cardington.. showing your age there @Pete999. place hasnt been used by RAF since the 70's. been used by allsorts of government agencies since for various things where space and safety are required they filmed some starwars films in the monster sized sheds/hangers. its now used for airships and some new outfit are trying to make a large airship for cross channel travel.

 

[Adam W]

If I were in your shoes I'd probably be questioning why so many people are still wasting their time with university degrees when for an initial cash outlay they could be earning enough to support a family within 8 weeks.

 

[Deleted account]

If I were in your shoes I'd probably be questioning why so many people are still wasting their time with university degrees when for an initial cash outlay they could be earning enough to support a family within 8 weeks.

I have to question the 8 weeks. As I stated in above post really not enough time to gain enough knowledge or experience.

 

[Frank_620]

If I were in your shoes I'd probably be questioning why so many people are still wasting their time with university degrees when for an initial cash outlay they could be earning enough to support a family within 8 weeks.

Unsure if you are being sarcastic but being from an education background i can answer that one a bit:

Even now the general line from schools is if you can, go to uni. If your not good enough, get an apprenticeship. It's so backward but is slowly changing.

I wish i'd have known my options and appreciated my choices but i didn't and now is my chance to change before it's too late. I have friends from various backgrounds/jobs etc and it's very interesting comparing those that have spent 25k on uni fees and those that didnt. I'd say only about 20% of the uni goers earn substantially more than the others.

 

[Frank_620]

I have to question the 8 weeks. As I stated in above post really not enough time to gain enough knowledge or experience.

Agreed. But do you think it's an advantage to have passed the qualifications and then work as an electricians mate and gain experience that way around?

As opposed to working for an electrician and then eventually doing the course once i have hands on experience.

 

[derek]

Become a gas fitter, you earn more on average and generally work four hours less per day than sparkies, and even then most of their time is spent drinking tea!

 

[Adam W]

Unsure if you are being sarcastic but being from an education background i can answer that one a bit:

Even now the general line from schools is if you can, go to uni. If your not good enough, get an apprenticeship. It's so backward but is slowly changing.

I wish i'd have known my options and appreciated my choices but i didn't and now is my chance to change before it's too late. I have friends from various backgrounds/jobs etc and it's very interesting comparing those that have spent 25k on uni fees and those that didnt. I'd say only about 20% of the uni goers earn substantially more than the others.

Yes but what makes you think you can do a 3-4 year apprenticeship in 8 weeks? Can you do the same with a degree? Being from an education background could you get pupils through their GCSEs in 6 weeks if someone threw money at you?

I suggest that you still think that trades are for "thickies" which is why it usually takes 3-4 years, and you assume that you can do it in a matter of weeks because you've got something between your ears, maybe even a bit of common sense.
This is where fly-by-night training centres are cashing in on people like you who reckon you're thinking outside the box and playing the system, when in reality there are loads of people trying to do it but failing miserably; you don't often hear of these because it's an admission of failure to play the system - the emperor admitting he walked down the street naked.

The regular members on this forum regularly hear of people failing to play the system, almost always in the form of complaints of mis-selling against the training centres. The internet (us) is left to pick up the pieces.

If a training centre is getting a class of students through their qualifications every half term, that's 6 classes a year compared with a local further education college's class every 3 years. This would mean that the vast majority of professional electricians should now be trained via intensive courses, but if you ask around this forum that simply is not the case. Why do you think this might be?

 

[Martyn Fletcher]

i had the chance to train as a teacher way back. if i'd gone for it, I'd now be drawing in a £1500+/month pension instead of the pittance I get from state pension, having been self-employed for 40 years, paying tax on everything. now 71 and have to keep working to survive.

Respect. /bow
I did not know that buddy.
I kinda thought I was one of the oldest farts on here.

 

[Frank_620]

Yes but what makes you think you can do a 3-4 year apprenticeship in 8 weeks? Can you do the same with a degree? Being from an education background could you get pupils through their GCSEs in 6 weeks if someone threw money at you?

I suggest that you still think that trades are for "thickies" which is why it usually takes 3-4 years, and you assume that you can do it in a matter of weeks because you've got something between your ears, maybe even a bit of common sense.
This is where fly-by-night training centres are cashing in on people like you who reckon you're thinking outside the box and playing the system, when in reality there are loads of people trying to do it but failing miserably; you don't often hear of these because it's an admission of failure to play the system - the emperor admitting he walked down the street naked.

The regular members on this forum regularly hear of people failing to play the system, almost always in the form of complaints of mis-selling against the training centres. The internet (us) is left to pick up the pieces.

If a training centre is getting a class of students through their qualifications every half term, that's 6 classes a year compared with a local further education college's class every 3 years. This would mean that the vast majority of professional electricians should now be trained via intensive courses, but if you ask around this forum that simply is not the case. Why do you think this might be?

Fair enough and I completely hear you. My thoughts is to have some sort of training/qualifications and then work with an experienced sparky. Sounds like it might not happen like that.

I guess what I'm getting increasingly concerned about then if that's not a good route, is there any way of getting into it once you are above the age of 21 and realistically can't get an apprenticeship?

 

[Martyn Fletcher]

I would strongly suggest you try to get some work experience.
Find a local spark looking for help or put yourself out there a s a willing pair of hands.
Your likely first forray into the Electrical industry would be domestic so if you can tag along with a house rewire (The lifting of floorboards without damaging them, the groping around under them for that cable that won't appear, the drilling behind valued skirting boards to get your feed in, the despair when you see how many holes the plumber drilled in the joist, the complete and utter hatred for all plasters when you tap lightly on a wall and half of it ends up in your lap). It all becomes rather tedious after a while, but despite friday night elations.... Monday always looms.

An electricians job is one of ups and downs and it takes a sort of person to find the joy in it. But once you do. You really do.

 

[Deleted account]

Agreed. But do you think it's an advantage to have passed the qualifications and then work as an electricians mate and gain experience that way around?

As opposed to working for an electrician and then eventually doing the course once i have hands on experience.

working for an electrician as a mate while doing your courses is a brilliant idea, but I really advise against doing the 8 week course your suggesting. There is no way you can learn all you need to know in 8 weeks.

 

[Frank_620]

working for an electrician as a mate while doing your courses is a brilliant idea, but I really advise against doing the 8 week course your suggesting. There is no way you can learn all you need to know in 8 weeks.

Thanks guys I'm getting a good sense of how to go about this.

Sounds like i need to try and sort an electricians mate job first and then find the right course. My issue is going to be finding the time for the course whilst balancing family commitments!

 

[Adam W]

I did it when I was 25 so it's definitely possible. I started the college course then managed to find work after the first year.

 

[haptism]

My advice would be to do a 1 year HNC in engineering (mechanical or electrical), this coupled with a physics degree would give you a good chance of applying for some interesting hands on engineering jobs which are advertised fairly regularly which require an HNC as minimum. You would also sail through an HNC if you know physics !

Or how about setting up a calibration workshop/company.

 

[littlespark]

Why does my post #4 get a "bad spelling" rating?

I know my "there" from my "they're" from my "their", so where's the issue?



(I know the answer. Replying on smartphone with fat fingers)

 

[Pete999]

Raf Cardington.. showing your age there @Pete999. place hasnt been used by RAF since the 70's. been used by allsorts of government agencies since for various things where space and safety are required they filmed some starwars films in the monster sized sheds/hangers. its now used for airships and some new outfit are trying to make a large airship for cross channel travel.

I did about 10 courses there, I loved the place, good food and accomodation, was Sad when the PSA went ----- up and folded, hence my transfer to the FCO Services.

 

[Hoon]

Yes but what makes you think you can do a 3-4 year apprenticeship in 8 weeks? Can you do the same with a degree? Being from an education background could you get pupils through their GCSEs in 6 weeks if someone threw money at you?

I suggest that you still think that trades are for "thickies" which is why it usually takes 3-4 years, and you assume that you can do it in a matter of weeks because you've got something between your ears, maybe even a bit of common sense.
This is where fly-by-night training centres are cashing in on people like you who reckon you're thinking outside the box and playing the system, when in reality there are loads of people trying to do it but failing miserably; you don't often hear of these because it's an admission of failure to play the system - the emperor admitting he walked down the street naked.

The regular members on this forum regularly hear of people failing to play the system, almost always in the form of complaints of mis-selling against the training centres. The internet (us) is left to pick up the pieces.

If a training centre is getting a class of students through their qualifications every half term, that's 6 classes a year compared with a local further education college's class every 3 years. This would mean that the vast majority of professional electricians should now be trained via intensive courses, but if you ask around this forum that simply is not the case. Why do you think this might be?

Right there!! Have it, Put that In your pipe and smoke it. Absolutely priceless!
When you think of it we’re all losers , the real electricians and those helmets who think they can do a skilled trade after 20 days.

We’re all now in wage compression.
Soon we’re be lucky to hit 25k a year let alone the £60 000 they advertise on the training websites.

The only winners are the scam providers and the owners of the training centres , who are greasing each other’s love poles on the golf course.

You got to admire legal criminality really , Well done Emma Clancy what good girl

 

[sparksfly]

Hi Frank...I'd say go for it but... like others said, it will not be easy. Life does not always work the way you want to plan it. Why not try 2x evenings per week course over 2-3 years, after 1- 2 years you may possibly jump into agency work as an electricians mate. Could you teach part time while learning the ropes? Problem is you need to be available to gain experience and usually electricians are wanted at a click of a finger. If you are interested & enthusiastic enough you can do it, good luck.