Questions on becoming an electrician.

[IamMe]

I'm 19 and I'll be hoping to start a course at college in September which is the City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installation. Is this the right course that I should be doing to becoming an electrician and what should I do after I complete level 2&3.

Also another question, how is the job climate for an electrician rights now, is it good or bad, and can you predict how it is in 5 years time?

I would really appreciate it if you could answer my questions.

 

[Spoon]

Hi mate.

What type of electrical area are you looking into? House bashing, commercial or industrial?
Looks like every man and his dog is going into house bashing. There are loads out there.
I wouldn't like to predict how things will turn out in 5 years time. Hopefully all there scam providers, that just want your money, will be shut down and a non-profit organisation will be put in place that gets rid of the cowboy's. Ooh look... a flying pig....

Regarding your collage course: Do a search on the site as there is loads of info, as lots of people have asked similar questions.

 

[IamMe]

Thanks for the reply spoon, and i also hope that they close down all these scam providers.
Do you think i should do work experience while doing the course because i will be free half the week and you probably know how important having work experience is in this field

 

[Spoon]

If you can get some actual field experience then I would strongly recommend it. You cant beat a bit of 'hands on' work
So what field are you looking into joining?

 

[IamMe]

In not sure what types of field I should go into, do you know which one is the best.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Industrial!

 

[telectrix]

as above ^^^. where there's muck, there's brass.

 

[IamMe]

And what about in 4-5 years time, do you think that is the best field to get into?

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Still Industrial

 

[davesparks]

The best thing to do, particularly as you are young enough to get government funding for the training is to get yourself into an apprenticeship.

If you are lucky you will find an apprenticeship like I did where you get to work in domestic, commercial, light industrial and agricultural installations.

Or else the industrial side of the industry would be my choice, it's easier to pick up domestic/small commercial later on than it is to make the change in the other direction.

If I had the chance now I'd drop it all and retrain in heavy industrial work.

 

[7029 dave]

I don't regret a thing, domestic, industrial, commercial, the days when being an Electrician meant across the board no DI then. lol

 

[IamMe]

I have a question, what happens if I can't find an apprenticeship in the time I have till my course starts in September and how easy is it to get an apprenticeship.

 

[davesparks]

Then usually the college will be able to help you look for a position.

 

[IamMe]

Oh OK, that's good. And one last question, I was looking at this website:
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/Electrician.aspx

If you go to the end of the page where there is a graph about the employment forecast, do you guys really believe that the number of electricians will decrease from now till 2020 and if so, do you know the reason why?

 

[davesparks]

The number of electricians is decreasing as all the old boys retire and less and less people are starting apprenticeship.

 

[IamMe]

Ok so does that mean qualified electricians will make more money in the future as less and less people go into the field, or does it depend on how well the countries economy is?

 

[shanky887614]

I have a question, what happens if I can't find an apprenticeship in the time I have till my course starts in September and how easy is it to get an apprenticeship.

best thing to do is get some work experience woth a local firm, if they like what they see if they dont take you on they will pass your name along.

thats how I got my apprenticeship

 

[IamMe]

Thanks for the info shanky.

 

[shanky887614]

The number of electricians is decreasing as all the old boys retire and less and less people are starting apprenticeship.

the problem is very few electricians actually have an apprenticeship now so the amount of industrial electricians etc will decline

 

[7029 dave]

Shot in the dark but contact the joint industry board (JIB), they might find an placement for you, with some of their registered company's. (the big boys).