Help needed to gain experience

[HandyMann]

Hi

Last year I left the police after a 30 year career and, while still of sound mind and body, decided to try something completely different to earn a living. I had some electrical knowledge from my time at college, while working for GEC as a youngster and I’ve a lot of practical skills gained from some serious property renovation over the years so I thought I might be able to make a go of it as a DomesI felt that, being 51, I was unlikely to be taken on as a trainee or apprentice and that the quickest route would be to self-fund the necessary training. I’m about to take the exams and assessments on the C&G 2365 Level 2, with a view to taking the 2394 next and being able to apply to one of the Competent Person Schemes.


It all sounds good in theory and, so far, I’ve been able to practice plenty on a mock up of a domestic system that I’ve built at home but I realise there is no substitute for real experience.


I’m not after a permanent job, or even payment for that matter, just a chance to learn and I was wondering if there is anyone out there willing to offer me the chance to gain some experience, particularly in domestic situations?


I have my own van and tools and I’m available full-time, part-time or even on an ad hoc basis.

I’m currently based near Kettering, in North Northamptonshire but am willing to travel a reasonable distance too.


Thanks

 

[7029 dave]

Good luck. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Rpa07]

Yes. Welcome to the forum. Have a search around the forum for the advice given to numerous others asking the same question.
You’ll be able to pick up a host of advice to put into action.
If you are living off a pension then you may be in a slightly better position to get a job as an electricians mate. Keep asking.
Do the search then scroll to the bottom and you’ll see ‘similar threads’ to help you cover all threads going back a while.
Cup of tea, couple of biscuits, notepad and your favourite chair and get reading.

 

[mydigitalhome]

Welcome to the site and to the industry, sadly you will find more fraudsters and crooks carrying out dodgy electrical work much easier to find than your normal crook. As you are working on our side now perhaps you can find some of our stolen tools and vans too. Think you will be working all hours. Hope it works out for you.

 

[HandyMann]

Thanks for the good wishes.
I’ve contacted a few local firms with my offer of free labour in exchange for experience. This generated one polite decline and six no replies and all current vacancies are for time served etc.
As for finding stolen tools that’s a whole other matter. People who buy cheap second hand tools because they’re getting a bargain must know it’s not legit. In my opinion they are are worse than the thieves. If there wasn’t the market there’d be fewer thefts.

 

[WillWX]

How far into your 2365 are you? Have you had any hands on at all? Or just in your mock up?

 

[HandyMann]

Hi BTB
I’ve got my exams booked for two dates in March and the practical assessment at the beginning of April.
I have previously re-wired a couple of houses alongside a sparky but had no involvement in testing circuits etc.
I’m competent with running and terminating cable, including swa and I’ve probably chased more walls than crooks in the last 5 years. I’m also quite handy with a plastering trowel to make good afterwards. I’ve plenty of experience wiring sockets, ceiling roses and the like.
That said, I’m sure working on my own house is very different to doing it for a living and there will be plenty more I can learn in the real world.
My mock up was really to practice the things I’d not done before, like conduit bending and threading and to get used to the dead test procedures before circuits are energised.