Im so frustrated

apats · Jan 30, 2012

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me out. I will try to make this short, I left school 13 yrs ago and completed just over 2 years of an apprenticeship, after many years of going from job to job i realised that electrics is where i wanted to be.

I live in scotland and SELECT dictates that without actually passing the full apprenticeship scheme I cannot be an approved electrician, on my own I have gained the following qualifications C&G 2391, C&G 2382 & C&G 2377.

My plan was to go to university and get a EEE degree however after a year at college getting an hnc in electrical engineering and one in electronic engineering i realised that with a wife and three kids i could not do a further 4 years due to money and time required to study and so on.

I currently run a small PAT testing business from my home office, but this is not really what i want, I want to be able to carryout a wider range of jobs, I have also just started to study through BAFE to add fire alarm design, installation, commisioning and maintanece to expand what my company offers.

I was advised by select about the adult training scheme and i thought great what electrical contractor would not want someone that has domestic and industrial on site experience and could be fully qualified within a year, less days at college more on site being productive, i have yet to recieve a reply from almost 80 prospecting letter. I guess the long and short of it is I can do the job but I want to do it the right way, I dont want to be a cowboy but it just seems that in scotland with the current state of employment thats the way people are being forced. why, if i have the relevant quals can i not be assesed on my competance to gain recognition.

If anyone can offer advice i would be grateful.

needasparks · Jan 30, 2012

I would think in the current climate there are more companies letting people go than taking on. Which has forced more people now than ever to go alone and start up there own business to keep bread on the table. If by chance a position did come up with someone who do you think they are going to take on, some bloke who obviously is gonna disappear in a year and be competing against them or an experienced spark looking for work who will earn them money. Its a no brainer really.
Its also important to remember for that company to be still in business at the moment and expanding enough to take on then they know what they are doing and will see through what you write, thats before you add the people out there that are career jumping and think the streets are paved with gold if you work with side cutters. Good luck with your serach fella but its tuff out there, don't lose hope though just keep looking.

KFH · Jan 30, 2012

It is hard out there. Do not give up if it is what you want to do. It has always been difficult to get experience and most firms get so many applications that it becomes expensive to acknowledge every one.

Make sure the letter and CV you are sending out make the most of your enthusiasm, experience and qualifications. It can be worth seeking out friends with experience in this area to read your letter/CV to make sure it is good and possibly make suggestions on making it better. You will only have one chance and you need to treat it as a marketing exercise so a conventional letter format may not be appropriate. You need to get them to read it which is difficult.

Have you considered offering yourself for free for a trial period? Offering to do PAT testing for contractors customers at favourable rates, not all companies like doing PAT testing, so that you can get a foot in the door.

Use this and other forums to gain knowledge and establish contacts who may be able to help you. From what I have seen over the years a lot of vacancies get filled by recommendation or someone who knows someone, so the more feelers you have out the greater the chance of finding something.
Write to the same firms again with a different format letter. With mail shots generally getting one result from a 100 is good. So do not get dispirited until you have not had a response from 500+. Try phoning the companies to see what their policy is and what they are looking for. I find talking to people first followed by a letter if they are interested is better than mail shots.

Most importantly do not give up.

Good luck

electromonkey · Jan 30, 2012

Have you though of employing someone who is qualified to design and sign off the work that you would like to do? You could then work along side them to gain your remaining qualifications.

It's all down to affordability really, but if you already have an established business in the field then it could be doable.

a1guvner · Jan 30, 2012

Keep plugging away, if your commited you can suceed

Spazz · Jan 30, 2012

apats

Give Napit or NICEIC a call, they are very helpful
They will tell you what you need to do as in courses and what you dont.

You will find that the HNCs you have are fine (they are in England and Wales anyway)
In England and Wales they just ask you to do your 17th Edition and Inspect and Test - both about 8-10 weeks each (1 night per week) or quicker 5 days - 2 weeks (5 days a week)