Foot through the door

Jonboy1989 · Oct 11, 2015

Hi Everyone,

I have just started a level 3 Electrical Installation diploma, which I am paying for myself, but it is only a 1 day a week course, and I dont feel like I am going to learn all that I can having a week off in between. I agree fully with the general consensus that the best route is an Electrical Apprenticeship, but I am 26 and have a mortgage to pay and just can not afford to live off the apprentice wage. I have sent loads of emails to local electricians begging for voluntary work experience, but with no joy, although I am doing some voluntary work with my local council street lighting crew.

Is there any way of getting my foot in the door that isnt an apprenticeship? Either before or after my level 3 that I can earn at least a liveable wage?

Thanks

Jon from Bristol

davesparks · Oct 11, 2015

You can't live on apprenticeship wages but are actively seeking to work for free?

Jonboy1989 · Oct 11, 2015

I have a full time job mate that keeps the bills paid, work 4nights on, 4off, 1 being a college day, so have three days that I have free and would rather get experience for free than to sit on my arse and do nothing.

edexlab · Oct 11, 2015

Admire your determination it's not easy working nights and doing a day shift or two plus college!

Personally having done something similar myself I'd wait a while,
continue doing the street lighting as although limited it's better than nothing and experience in this may help a lot later on
Re contacting firms don't just email as they are usually forgotten by the time they've finished reading them!

A face to go with a name is always better than an email!

So go visit them when you have more time at college and work experience under your belt, don't be put off by negative responses be polite and professional and always leave your contact details and you'll be remembered and contacted at some point ,

if you like the look of a firm it doesn't hurt to keep in touch and drop by occasionally to see if there's any work on,

being a bit older and having paid for and attended a course will go in your favour with the majority of firms , and so will the personal approach!

I tried for over a year and was in the third year at college. ......
when a guy I'd contacted suddenly landed a lot of work and needed manpower and called me ,
I started as a labourer/improver but because I showed interest and did what I was told, ie took on jobs nobody else wanted to do i got given a lot more interesting work than some of the other qualified blokes who couldn't be bothered!

johnsparks23 · Oct 11, 2015

Sign up for a sparks mate job, with employment agency's. The pay is £8-10 per hour. You'll have to build up experience. If your keen and show initiative you'll be fine.

Jonboy1989 · Oct 12, 2015

Great bits of advice, thank you. I am going to get a few business cards made up for when I go "door knocking" also gunna look into mates jobs, would be awesome to be doing something full time or even part time whilst doing the course.