Domestic Electrician course sought

[Julian Moore]

Good afternoon.I am having a mid life crisis and wish to change career path as I have not been happy in my job for a long time
I am looking to do an electrical course in view to becoming a self employed domestic electrician. Im looking for a course long enough to give me the knowledge and skills needed,
Can anyone please tell me what course I should be looking for (is it part P) and if anyone could recommend any course providers too.
Many thanks
P.S Im in the midlands but willing to travel to do the course.Thank you so much in advance.

 

[Midwest]

Welcome to the forum Julian. Be prepared that some members do not have very positive views, on gaining a qualification as an electrician from such courses, as opposed qualification from a time served apprenticeship. There are other hurdles in which to negotiate, not least the amount of electricians, that there seems to be in domestic market.

Do you have any experience as a trades person, what is your current role?

 

[Spoon]

Good afternoon.I am having a mid life crisis and wish to change career path as I have not been happy in my job for a long time
I am looking to do an electrical course in view to becoming a self employed domestic electrician. Im looking for a course long enough to give me the knowledge and skills needed,
Can anyone please tell me what course I should be looking for (is it part P) and if anyone could recommend any course providers too.
Many thanks
P.S Im in the midlands but willing to travel to do the course.Thank you so much in advance.

Welcome to the forum mate.
Just to give some warning. The 'domestic installer' sector is saturated at the moment... Just go onto one of the web sites and see how many electricians are in your area... I had about 150 within a 5 mile radius. You have to compete will all of these.
I'm sorry mate but I did laugh a bit at your comment "Im looking for a course long enough to give me the knowledge and skills needed". These short courses you see will give you the very basics... There are some people on here who have taken these courses... Hopefully they will give you some feedback.
Do you have any electrical knowledge?

Just to add. I apologise if my post sounds negative. I am one of the people on here who stick up for people taking these short courses.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Its a bit of a contraversial topic the whole domestic course scene!
You are right to seek experience but that wont come without working, You cna by all means do the courses such as 17th edition (soon to be 18th) your 2392 testing course and if you wish the part p course which is just a course covering the building regs. (these 3 alone plus the testing kit and some insurance is enough to join a scheme)
With that you can realistically get work as an electricians mate to build up experience before maybe going out on your own and joining one of the schemes such as NICEIC.
There is no short cut for experience but if working as an electricians mate you could possibly do the 2365 courses in the evening whilst working during day?

 

[Pete999]

Welcome, are you a SAINTS fan?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Welcome, are you a SAINTS fan?

I am a Bath Rugby fan.... We did well against Saints to reach the final

 

[Pete999]

I am a Bath Rugby fan.... We did well against Saints to reach the final

I'm losing it Gav that was meant for the OP, I am also a Bath Fan despite having lived in Nton for over 20 years, leopards don't change their spots do the.

 

[Devonchris]

I am a Bath Rugby fan.... We did well against Saints to reach the final

That'll come to an end tomorrow.

I can hear the tom Tom's already.

May the best team win.

 

[rolyberkin]

I can echo Spoons post as above, not trying to put you off but hi-lighting that it can be a bit harsh in the domestic market. There does seem to be a bit of a streets paved with gold view of being an electrician. I have been self employed properly for six months and after taking away overheads and capital purchases I am running at a significant loss (I have also not taken a wage from being an electrician for the last three months). I am semi retired and have other income streams so I can afford for my 'electrical' work to be a bolt onto my other work. If I had a family to feed and this was my sole income I would now have to be looking for gainful employment and going PAYE. My point is that if being PAYE becomes a necessity there are not many firms/contractors who will take you with a quick domestic installer course. Take the time to look at job agencies for electrician and see the qualifications they are looking for, most will be looking for apprentices with Level 3 qualification 2365/2357 with an AM2 and gold card to work on a housing site and preference for those with a testing qualification also. So you need to decide where you see yourself going and take the appropriate qualifications even if this takes a few years not a few weeks to complete.

 

[Pete999]

I can echo Spoons post as above, not trying to put you off but hi-lighting that it can be a bit harsh in the domestic market. There does seem to be a bit of a streets paved with gold view of being an electrician. I have been self employed properly for six months and after taking away overheads and capital purchases I am running at a significant loss (I have also not taken a wage from being an electrician for the last three months). I am semi retired and have other income streams so I can afford for my 'electrical' work to be a bolt onto my other work. If I had a family to feed and this was my sole income I would now have to be looking for gainful employment and going PAYE. My point is that if being PAYE becomes a necessity there are not many firms/contractors who will take you with a quick domestic installer course. Take the time to look at job agencies for electrician and see the qualifications they are looking for, most will be looking for apprentices with Level 3 qualification 2365/2357 with an AM2 and gold card to work on a housing site and preference for those with a testing qualification also. So you need to decide where you see yourself going and take the appropriate qualifications even if this takes a few years not a few weeks to complete.

I blame the training people promising the Earth, just to line their own pockets, not the Students fault. they listen to the carp dished out, and take it for granted that they will make their fortunes, sad really.

 

[LeeH]

My area must be one of the few which getting domestic sparks is a problem.

I even contacted Andy78 off here to get a partial re-wire done. People not calling back/showing up and generally giving me the run around.

Good luck with it btw.

 

[JAWS]

I couldn't get a domestic installer last yr after asking 5 of them on mybuilder, they all got back to be and said they were too busy.

 

[rolyberkin]

It works both ways, I either spend half my life giving quotes and people tell me that a bloke down the pub can do it cheaper or don't even bother phoning me back. I am very reasonable so don't really get it?

 

[HandyMann]

As someone going through the whole career change thing my views pretty much echo earlier comments about the short courses but, for a lot of people it’s the only viable route in to the trade.
If you’re one of those people (and I am) then consider your choice of course carefully.
I’ve taken the 2365 Level 2 and (theory wise) it is hardly taxing. In truth, if you have any moderate level of electrical knowledge, understand maths and have an aptitude to learn then I’d recommend buying the level 2 book, study at home and then blag your way on to the level 3 course.
I think I probably wasted some of my time/cash at level 2, based on the say so of a training centre (that I wouldn’t recommend).
The biggest hurdle is the hands on practical experience that no one seems willing to offer, even when you’re offering free competent labour in return. (Personal gripe, sorry). Be prepared for more negativity but nothing worth getting is easy so, if it’s definitely for you, go for it.
And good luck.

 

[Julian Moore]

Thank you very much for your messages.
Im presently driving trucks and the unsolvable nights working until midnight and being brain dead behind the wheel is doing my head in.
Im looking at a 16 week course as obviously it' impossible to learn much in 4 weeks, obviously 16 weeks is better but still only a start.
One of my concerns is how to advertise and get the work coming in when you start as due to my age I believe that self employment is the only way, starting with small jobs first

 

[Midwest]

Thank you very much for your messages.
Im presently driving trucks and the unsolvable nights working until midnight and being brain dead behind the wheel is doing my head in.
Im looking at a 16 week course as obviously it' impossible to learn much in 4 weeks, obviously 16 weeks is better but still only a start.
One of my concerns is how to advertise and get the work coming in when you start as due to my age I believe that self employment is the only way, starting with small jobs first

That will be your biggest problem, and whilst waiting for those jobs to come, you'll need to put food on the table.

I came back into the industry, five years ago after semi retiring. I used to advertise locally, but I don't think the jobs I got paid for it.

Most of my work comes from my son's business. Without that, think I'd be looking for other employment, which I still might have to.

PS, just about to pay my scheme fees, this year £534.

 

[JAWS]

Thank you very much for your messages.
Im presently driving trucks and the unsolvable nights working until midnight and being brain dead behind the wheel is doing my head in.
Im looking at a 16 week course as obviously it' impossible to learn much in 4 weeks, obviously 16 weeks is better but still only a start.
One of my concerns is how to advertise and get the work coming in when you start as due to my age I believe that self employment is the only way, starting with small jobs first

That will be the biggest hurdle.

How much will you know after a doing a Domestic installer course and how much work will you realistically have to turn away because you wont have the expertise to do the job.

Joining a CPS competent person scheme like Napit, or NICEIC would be a good move even then you will have someone come to your place of work to access your competence where you will have to have all the latest up to date testing equipment and insurances etc

This will only be wise once you get a bit of confidence and you feel competent to work. I know a few lads who seem to have done pretty well going down this route.

Its all about learning to walk rather then run, being an electrician can take many yrs to master I'm sure, and knowing your capabilities when you start out is key.

 

[JAWS]

Thank you very much for your messages.
Im presently driving trucks and the unsolvable nights working until midnight and being brain dead behind the wheel is doing my head in.
Im looking at a 16 week course as obviously it' impossible to learn much in 4 weeks, obviously 16 weeks is better but still only a start.
One of my concerns is how to advertise and get the work coming in when you start as due to my age I believe that self employment is the only way, starting with small jobs first

That will be the biggest hurdle.

How much will you know after a doing a Domestic installer course and how much work will you realistically have to turn away because you wont have the expertise to do the job.

Joining a CPS competent person scheme like Napit, or NICEIC would be a good move even then you will have someone come to your place of work to access your competence where you will have to have all the latest up to date testing equipment and insurances etc

This will only be wise once you get a bit of confidence and you feel competent to work. I know a few lads who seem to have done pretty well going down this route.

Its all about learning to walk rather then run, being an electrician can take many yrs to master I'm sure, and knowing your capabilities when you start out is key.

 

[Adam W]

I also started training 'later in life', at the ripe old age of 25. I thought I knew electrics but went into a 3 year course at the local college with an open mind anyway. At the end of the course I realised there was a lot I didn't know and I was way off putting my name on the side of a van; with very little experience I struggled to break into the industry, and that was without trying to dictate exactly what kind of work I'd be offered, how much training I'd need, what I'd learn on the course and what I'd be capable of at the end of it.

 

[Spoon]

'later in life'...25...

 

[rolyberkin]

It is difficult, you can run the gauntlet of Facebook and have idiots who want to pay you £500 for a rewire, try leaflet drops and adverts in local magazines etc. I went fully self employed in October and had three months when it was absolutely manic, then after Xmas I have been dead quiet, I am now at the point where I am starting to quote on some general building and handyman jobs. You can go down the route of trust a trader etc but in my local area there are about 30+ electricians on there and it all costs. It is not easy to start up, once your name gets out there I am sure (hope) it gets easier!

 

[Wilko]

Hi - I started out many moons ago working with dear old Dad, did apprenticeship and then moved out into office design work in related things. Coming back to installation later in life has been hard but fun. My thought is you need to get working experience, as its a practical craft. If you do it and like it then you'll be able to do the book learning part I reckon.

 

[Des 56]

I went fully self employed in October and had three months when it was absolutely manic, then after Xmas I have been dead quiet,

It is not easy to start up, once your name gets out there I am sure (hope) it gets easier!

Advertising can be costly and may be hit or miss generating work
Keep a positive outlook roly as far as quiet periods go,eventually you will find that past clients will tend to recommend you to their contacts, family members or friends,these may then become your clients passing on your name
It does take time but its like a self generating merry go round, the more you do,the more clients that are around creating your work
I have been self employed since the early 80s and have never needed to look for work,as you have experienced,your merry go round just needs a push every now and again

 

[WillWX]

Unfortunately, I don’t believe a short course is enough to just put you at a level where you’re happy to go and work on an electrical installation within someone’s home.

The company I worked for never got round to putting me through college, however I worked alongside an electrician for over 3 years, without that hands on experience and that guidance, I don’t beleive I’d be where I am now. The courses just don’t give you enough. When I did do the relevant courses, I was re learning everything I’d already learnt off my own back and was really surprised at how much I actually knew.

When doing the physical work, one thing leads to another and you find yourself reading up regs every day and learning off your own back, that alongside an experienced electrician as guidance, in my opinion is what’s needed to become “competent” enough to touch someone’s installation.

Sorry to come across negatively, but I hate the idea of someone chucking away a decent job and to not end up where they expect.

 

[telectrix]

agree. it's a all vety well to be able to quote the max. Xzs for a perticuler MCB, but if you can't run a cable from A to B in a compliant manner, it's no use.
edit: xcus trhe spelling. been up all nite, and had a beer brekky.

 

[satori]

The future is not as bright as it appears you think it will be.

On November 4th, 2016, I was made redundant, I knew it was coming and spent a lot of time (seriously, a lot, I had been 32 years in a desk-bound job) researching my future prospects. I decided that becoming an electrician would be a change, a chance to do something practical, and would be as lucrative as my previous job. I did a 16 week course with TradeSkills4U, I felt the course was comprehensive, well structured, and, at the end I had all of the qualifications to get my NVQ 3, and call myself an electrician - apart from the experience. I'm working toward the experience now, and it's going to take a while - I'm 9 months into what I think is going to be 3 years getting enough experience to be able to complete my NVQ 3 and only then be able to call myself an electrician. In the mean time I'm being paid as a labourer, and that doesn't pay what I'm used to. My redundancy is diminishing, it may not last the remainder of the three years.

You're talking about Domestic Installer, from my experience it's a job title looked down upon by electricians, you won't be an electrician and you'll be competing with people who know so much more than you, and have skills you'll never develop due to not having exposure to certain aspects of the job. From reading here, and talking to colleague sparks, as a Domestic Installers your best prospect will be to find employment with a kitchen fitting company, your prospects as self employed are virtually nil.

All of these companies offering courses are out to make money. Yes, you can get where you want to be, but the work involved is much, much, much more than these training companies will have you believe.

Have your eyes wide open before you commit yourself to anything.

 

[Pete E]

Im presently driving trucks and the unsolvable nights working until midnight and being brain dead behind the wheel is doing my head in.

I would love to do what you are doing, but feel I've left it way too late (I'm 52)....

Given that you are a qualified truck driver, I would think at least you could do driving agency work while getting yourself set up in the new career? The pay might not be brilliant, but it might be enough to keep the wolf from the door...

 

[Dave Rudderham]

I'm on the path now, even with experience in the Electronics, Data, Telecoms and Domestic/Light commercial I still opted for the full 2 years worth of Level 2 and 3. Level 2 was very easy for me, Level 3 was a little bit better, made me think more because I've done very little with 3-ph systems. I've still finished them months early. I just wanted the paperwork to back up the experience.