Looking at retraining and need advice

[PaulM]

(copied from gen forums, think posted in wrong place there!)

Hi all!

First post so please be gentle

Basically I've worked in IT/Retail Management for around 12 years, company went under 2-3 years ago and I've been seeing out the recession the last couple of years in a 20k "it'll do" job (mortgage has to be paid sadly!).

However, at 36, I recognise that I do not want to be doing this for the next 20yrs and nor do I want to return to my previous career in management or even IT Support (was looking at progressing to MCSE level but I'm really sick of computers!).

So, one love I've always had is of all things electrical, it's something I've always had in the back of my mind but through lack of focus at school/college, never got the chance to pursue (and didn't really have anyone there to give me the guidance/advice/kick up the backside I needed).

Having spoken to my local college today, who first suggested doing an HNC in electrical/engineering, one of the tutors suggested going for the basic installer qualy (think was the 2330 - Southampton City College : 2330 Electrotechnical Technology (B00948)). I'll be looking at doing evening/day release through college although understand this course has now changed to a newer vers.

I'm really looking for advice (I've read many other posts on here but wanted something more personal if that's ok) on where to start. I'm not expecting to go into this just to earn great money, I want to do it because I want to enjoy the rest of my career in a field of work I genuinely respect and have a passion for. Can anyone give an impression of what type of what to expect when starting out? (other than making the sparky tea all day!

Whilst I think that age may count against me to a degree (with regards to employment) I also think it is a benefit in terms of my professional background and in todays day and age I'm sure there would be employers willing to take on someone slightly older, hard working & professional with direct customer service experience and business/operations experience too. Coming from an IT background I'm very technical down to component level/installations so hope that will also go in my favour.

Your advice is greatly appreciated

Paul​

 

[Richard Burns]

Hi there, good luck with the plan. If you have read the other posts here eg http://www.electriciansforums.net/e...illing-our-industry.html?highlight=deskilling then you will have seen that it is not simple, quick or cheap and with no guarantees at the end.
City and Guilds qualifications are a good way to start and I would agree with the tutor that 2330 up to level 3 is the start point. The change in course should not make a difference as previous qualifications will remain valid. depending on when you start will depend on which course you start. Have a look at the course lists City & Guilds | Electrical installation and see in what area you intend to work.
You will also need 2382-10 and probably 2391-10 to get decent jobs.
Contractors will also need you to have JIB grading once qualified to work on sites.
Age 36 should not be a problem; do not assume you know the electrical installation requirements from the IT experience; all areas have different foci for regulations and requirements.
In the initial instance customer service and business skills will not figure largely and the main requirements now are speed (unfortunately) and accuracy, you will need to start from the bottom up doing basic installations first.

Keep reading the other posts about starting training as they are all useful.

 

[PaulM]

Hi,

Thanks for the advice, I'm definately aware I'll have to start at the bottom and work up to do this (essentially I want to do this so I get all the ground knowledge I can as I believe with anything, this will serve me well in the future).

Ultimately, I'd be far happier doing something I love than something I hate, for the same money - so even if it's poor to start, I can live with that.

My other skills I'm thinking will help further down the line, ie: if I work on commercial or domestic, eventually as my own manager (gotta make that 12yrs management experience count for something!).

I'm very autonomous, can get on with my work without instruction, and whilst I appreciate for a fair amount of time I will have to take direct instructions etc, I look forward to the prospect of being my own boss

Obviously I'm aware this may all take 5-10yrs at least, but that would fit in nicely to my early-mid 40's, being fully qualified at that age and then having some industry experience, I can hopefully tie my new electrical experience together with my old management/IT knowledge and take it from there.

Don't worry, don't have delusions of granduer - but gotta set yourself some kind of goal right?

Paul

 

[PaulM]

Just had a call from the colleage saying they are probably going to start an evening course due to demand, for the subsidary BTEC diploma in electrical/engineering. Obviously this is a bit of a different path to that of the regular sparky, but one that I should maybe consider? (doing the subsidary would get me up to speed enough on the science/maths side of things to then do a full lvl 3 HNC in electrical/engineerings)...

Thoughts? (I find academic stuff sooo confusing sometimes lol)

 

[topquark]

Just had a call from the colleage saying they are probably going to start an evening course due to demand, for the subsidary BTEC diploma in electrical/engineering. Obviously this is a bit of a different path to that of the regular sparky, but one that I should maybe consider? (doing the subsidary would get me up to speed enough on the science/maths side of things to then do a full lvl 3 HNC in electrical/engineerings)...

Thoughts? (I find academic stuff sooo confusing sometimes lol)

That won't give you the industry recognised quals for the trade, it would probably give you a better understanding of the theory. I'd stick to doing either the 2330 or the new 2357 (incorporates the NVQ3 qual as well) if you intend to work as a qualified spark. You can always bolt on an NHC/D and degree later if you wish.

 

[PaulM]

Ok so doing the 2330 to start off with, in terms of employment am I just going to be trying to contact all local co's / sparkies and pray for an opening? (this is where I'm hoping my professional background will help, that they will at least know they are getting someone of some sort of quality - if still training).

 

[topquark]

I don't want to appear too negative, however that's where you'll probably find the stumbling block, getting someone to take you on. You'll need someone to "sponsor" (not necessarily pay for, but supervise the work for) the work based parts of the courses (primarily for the NVQ3 component).

 

[PaulM]

With the college parts, the 2330 states everything is classroom/workshop based (so doesn't seem to require actual employment to do this and they must have their own test setups in place?) although I realise the further quals do need that (but hopefully by then I would have gained entry level employment to allow me to do this).

Not expecting it to be easy, but I'm in a position where I can afford to study and evening course and then change career, even if the entry level money isn't great. I feel I've wasted 18 years since leaving school/college (although I've done well for myself) but regret not doing a trade and instead falling into the daily ratrace, progessing a career in management that I never really wanted to be in.

I see this as a now or never time for me (and I know there's many posts from people that all want to become X, Y, Z - but hell, why not?) at least I've got a lot of professional experience and the start quals seem pretty straight forward to get on to these days too.

 

[topquark]

Plenty of help on here when you need it and if you're looking at studying at Soton you're probably not far from me if you need help with the studies.

 

[PaulM]

awesome and i really appreciate your support i've know some in trades (through my partners friends husbands - if that makes sense ) and hopefully that may open some doors further down the line.

biggest thing for me has been saying "right - wtf do i start!?" and now it's "lets do this"

 

[BAX73R]

Hi Paul , I did the same thing a couple of years ago. Made redundant, re-trained, local college. Just passed 1st part (2330 Level 2) Now looking to do Level 3 although College is now looking to combine NVQ with this over 2 years @ £3.5k - they don't seem to know their arse from their elbow when it comes to courses/enrolment!
Anyway I digress, I would suggest if you want to get some on site practical experience (not sure of your current employment status) ring up local companies and say you're eager to learn and willing to work as a labourer/electricians mate - they always need someone (in my short spell on site) this will mean you will probably have to go self employed, but I have had regular work for a year now and have learnt loads.

Good luck

 

[Guest 004]

If you want to keep away from management then dont do the HNC.
IMO I think you should be looking at management, as you are not getting any younger.

 

[PaulM]

well am currently full time employed, but not in this industry, however making about 20k atm which is enough to pay the bills/mortgage etc

college can get me in on a part time 2330 i think for this sept (omg like 2 weeks away) so i need to think fast now, else wait another year

am i better doing this course and just seeing how i get on, before i start thinking about changing jobs this soon? (seeing as i have a stable income at the moment + responsibilities)

 

[Guest 004]

2330 is the starting block

 

[PaulM]

then it looks like the way to go, i'm not interested in a management route at this time, so many companies have lost the plot in terms of what they want from people/how to drive their staff, i'll feel much more comfortable getting qualified and running my business how I want to run it (i know this will take time to do, but ultimately its my goal)

 

[Guest 004]

good luck

 

[BAX73R]

Just been researching and speaking to my college mate, the new 2357 combines 2330 Level 2, 3, NVQ level 3 and incorporates elements of the AM2 (which is only open to apprentices ) So finally City & Guilds have put together 1 course that incorporates everything ( wish they'd have done that when I started at college ) This is the new best route to becoming a spark in my opinion!

 

[PaulM]

thanks, know it will be hard work, but feel it will be worth it - can't stomache the thought of trying to just put up with any old job for the next 20yrs or so, how depressing! (so I need to do this for my own sanity too! )

 

[BAX73R]

Know the feeling - do it - you only live once and it sounds like you'll regret it if you don't.

Again good luck. This Forum is quality btw so any help required for pretty much anything members on here will help ( apart from making the final decision )

 

[PaulM]

ty & what's your experience been like over these last 2 years?