Career Direction. Views required from sparkys and ex-Military

[fordmatt]

Hi there,

This isn't something ive thought about overnight. (Ive seen the i want to be a sparky in 6 months after a dream last night threads). Its been a long whirled thing so ill give some brief background...

Im 19/20 and wanting to become an Electrician (Installation). The hindrance is my age, already having a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Electrical Engineering and studying a HND in Electrical Engineering. These can bolster my CV even as an installer? They have also given me a solid basic understanding of how install and electricity work etc. I have however realised as much as ive tried to make it work that this sort of electrical work isn't what I wanted (circuit board and other small components) and got attracted more by the small wage differences, but why do it if I don't enjoy it? Ive got good grades in all the units both quals and love the high voltage systems such as 3 phase delta/star to household and the brief install basics we did in the Level 3 unit. I also work part time on sites as an over skilled labourer/roofer of 4 years.

I have decided to grab the bull by the horns and do what i have wanted to do from the start, even though I have been told I supposedly got much more potential. :book: More able to be extra good at it then?
As stated my age is getting against me from apprenticeships plus I wont get funding because ive got a Level 3 qualification already. However I have always been keen on the military. Id be able to gain most of the main qualifications I need, gain experience and keep fit

What I want to know is if they're are any ex-military sparks that could help us out and let us know what the transition is like when you come out of the army eventually to civvi street. Also what its like in the army when serving. What line of work do you do and is it applicable to that of civvi street again?

Ive got one more year of the HND and I am going to stick that out and gain the qualification but I thought id get the ideas rounded up early for some breathing and thinking space.

Thanks for any help, from anyone.
Matt

 

[bigbaddave]

You certainly have your head screwed on, What ever you do dont drop out in order to do electrical installation. at 21 your still in the age bracket for an apprenticeship. Pay inst great so depend on your circumstances i suppose

 

[Johnuk]

as above

 

[fordmatt]

Thanks Dave & John.

Yeah like I said I have known I wanted to electrical for some time. Just feel I have screwed up even carrying on half heartedly after the Level 3 course. I should have listened to my best mate who was even more brainy than me in school. By a considerable margin, but is now a brickie. Tried A levels didnt like it been a brickie for 4 years and loves it. Even now. Hed rather be happy than minted and depressed.
Either way im leaving with a handful of decent qualifications no matter what. The plan was to top up the HND for a year after next to gain a Degree. Seems last resort now. Im completing the next year as if I don't ill get nothing for doing half of it.

May pop into the Army careers office tomorrow for some further advice. Would like to hear from an ex sapper etc however though.

Thanks again.

 

[fordmatt]

Also with the apprenticeship. At 21 when im done, nobody will want me. Even at 16 before my BTEC, nothing. Then before the HND, not a sniff. Unless they want a maturer person you haven't got much chance, especially with the economy as it is at the moment. Im better living the dream and joining the army. Pretty basic salary but will get to travel, do something ill enjoy, get qualifications and decide what im doing next.

 

[sbelec]

Have a look at some of the electrical supply companies, ours in Manchester is Electricity North West. I have certainley seen some adverts for apprentices for HV systems over the past couple of months but most of the big stuff is done on contract and the maintenance by their own people.
Also keep your eyes open in the world of rail especially if the governments electricification goes ahead.
Whatever you do do not quit half way through a qualification, do the academic qualifications you are doing they are always then in your pocket and you can do 2391 etc etc and do the more mundain installation. Your qualifications will take you into supervisory etc. Do not limit yourself.
People call me a johnny come lately after 17 year of installation and commissioning then a 10 year break, I have commissioned transformer distribution, motor control centres, PLC (my programming is base level) and specialist electrical kit but because I haven't got the paper - well you would be shocked!
Look at job adverts and specs and see how your qualifications fit, broad qualifications give you a lifetime to specialise.

 

[sbelec]

Don't forget electrical installations are in the doldrums with the lack of construction, certainly in my area few electricians are working 50 hours per week!

 

[fordmatt]

Dont worry I am seeing the HND out no matter what. Its something ill have under my belt no matter what. Ive been doing th above as well. Looking at job advertisements etc in my local area. Ours is that actual National Grid that deals with most of that up here and Northern Power I think but not sure. They offer packages but all of their jobs I am interested in are located in the Midlands and in all honestly all aspects of the possible paths dont look appealing. The best offer ive had was an Escalator technician. £12000 a year, qualified. No thanks.

The best thing to take out of this is im already mostly electrically trained with the principles and calculations, most of. As well as the rest of it definitions, symbols etc.

Like I say I still have a year to chew on things. Im going to way all the information I can get up and follow on from there. That's what this thread is all about. The options atm are Army, Apprenticeship if at all possible or Degree.