Starting an apprenticeship should I do industrial or domestic

[Ryanjones289999]

So I have two offers one person does more industrial offices, prisons, university’s etc.

The other guy does more houses and stuff like that. My plans are after my apprenticeship is to go on my own and maybe if I get big enough to get people working for me.

So I was just wondering what’s the best route to take?

The person who does houses is a small company think he only has 1 or 2 people working for him and the company that does industrial is huge.


Thanks

 

[Mike Johnson]

Go Industrial, large companies have training programmes that will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life, they will probably also have a career progression schedule that will see you re-trained as your experience dictates, this is unless you don't want to do domestic work, crawling around in lofts and in other peoples tat. ?

 

[Ryanjones289999]

Go Industrial, large companies have training programmes that will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life, they will probably also have a career progression schedule that will see you re-trained as your experience dictates, this is unless you don't want to do domestic work, crawling around in lofts and in other peoples tat. ?

I was just thinking about the future when I go on my own. it will be easier getting domestic work than industrial so I’ll be able to grow quicker. Getting domestic jobs seems easy just post some leaflets etc. Getting industrial work seems harder.

and I also want to be able to help put family and friends installing lights plug sockets etc

 

[Mike Johnson]

Your reply seems to indicate that you have already made up your mind on the route you want to take and was just asking to reinforce your thoughts.

Once you are fully trained and qualified in Industrial work it would be an easy step to get a domestic installation qualification, the other way is fraught with difficulties and hoops to jump through.

To be honest I think you are getting ahead of yourself thinking about the future before you are qualified or have even experienced the difference between the two disciplines.

Also don't forget in the first instance you will be a Gofor for both disciplines, but with training in one and all the dirty jobs with the other.

 

[ruston]

It is easier to go from industrial to domestic than the other way around @Mike Johnson has given you good advice.

 

[ruston]

I was typing as Mike's second reply came in . I agree with that too.

 

[Deleted account]

I’m really jealous, youve been offered industrial. I would have loved that opportunity.

obviously it’s your choice, but industrial experience is a very valuable asset. You c@n always to domestic at a later stage if necessary.

 

[Pete999]

So I have two offers one person does more industrial offices, prisons, university’s etc.

The other guy does more houses and stuff like that. My plans are after my apprenticeship is to go on my own and maybe if I get big enough to get people working for me.

So I was just wondering what’s the best route to take?

The person who does houses is a small company think he only has 1 or 2 people working for him and the company that does industrial is huge.


Thanks

Hi Mate, how long is this Apprenticeship? an Apprenticeship ,or a proper one should offer you a selection of installation practices, I'll apologise up front, as I find the idea of Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Electricians strange, I realise things are different from when I did my Apprenticeship. Any way all the best and good luck.

 

[Deleted account]

Hi Mate, how long is this Apprenticeship? an Apprenticeship ,or a proper one should offer you a selection of installation practices, I'll apologise up front, as I find the idea of Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Electricians strange, I realise things are different from when I did my Apprenticeship. Any way all the best and good luck.

Those types of apprentiship either don’t exist anymore or are very few and far between.

 

[snowhead]

Getting domestic jobs seems easy just post some leaflets etc.

I think you may be under-estimating how hard it is to be in business.
I'm sure there's plenty on here in domestic that would disagree with your statement.

I'm biased, as I spent the majority of my working life in Commercial, now retired, but I'd say Commercial / Industrial.

As your end game appears to be to have a good income then I'll leave you with this thought,,
How many Domestic wiring jobs are done out of hours, at weekends and on Bank Holidays, including Xmas?

 

[Mike Johnson]

I don't think I have heard of anyone with indenture papers for years, do they still exist?

 

[snowhead]

Indentures are long gone.
I think they only carried on with companies long established with that method.
I did an apprenticeship 1967 to 1970 and had no proof of completion other than continued employment with a different job title and higher pay.

 

[Deleted account]

I don't think I have heard of anyone with indenture papers for years, do they still exist?

Is that the coloured piece of paper you bit down on at the dentist.

 

[Pete999]

Those types of apprentiship either don’t exist anymore or are very few and far between.

I was thinking what a farce they are, I thought that would be the case, probably been asked before, but are there any proper Apprenticeships for Electricians about these days, or are most Youngster to eager to do some training, get a Van and start house bashing?

 

[Pete999]

Is that the coloured piece of paper you bit down on at the dentist.

It really aint funny mate, no disrespect intended.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Only if you don't have your own teeth anymore. ?

 

[westward10]

It isn't really overly relevant if today's apprenticeships are not on a par with those of yesteryear. The OP has been offered something in the commercial/industrial sector which are not easy to come by, I would be snapping at the hand offering it because they are not likely to get a better offer.

 

[Deleted account]

Only if you don't have your own teeth anymore. ?

I’ve had 3 out and eating is becoming a chore. I’m still over weight though.

 

[telectrix]

I’ve had 3 out and eating is becoming a chore. I’m still over weight though.

get another 3 pulled then. feed through a straw. personally i rather be overweight and happy (sarah ferguson) than thin and miserable (meghan whats 'er name)

 

[Mike Johnson]

@Ryanjones289999 I think you now have a number of opinions, but they all say the same thing, go Industrial, in fact most of the replies you have had are from Domestic electricians and they would opt out if they could, don't discount what has been said on here due to wanting to help family and friends in the distant future, they will not pay your mortgage for you, but a fully trained industrial electrician will not have the problem of finding sufficient payment to have holidays with pay, sick leave benefit, the advantages are endless compared with the alternative.

 

[Pete999]

@Ryanjones289999 I think you now have a number of opinions, but they all say the same thing, go Industrial, in fact most of the replies you have had are from Domestic electricians and they would opt out if they could, don't discount what has been said on here due to wanting to help family and friends in the distant future, they will not pay your mortgage for you, but a fully trained industrial electrician will not have the problem of finding sufficient payment to have holidays with pay, sick leave benefit, the advantages are endless compared with the alternative.

Go Electrician, a proper Electrician, not one that can only do ONE type of work

 

[westward10]

An electrician who confine themselves to a single discipline say domestic for example is still and electrician there is no distinguishing an electrician from a "proper electrician" whatever that maybe.

 

[Ryanjones289999]

An electrician who confine themselves to a single discipline say domestic for example is still and electrician there is no distinguishing an electrician from a "proper electrician" whatever that maybe.

So say if I work for this bigger company will I still have the skills and knowledge to work in domestic

 

[MJPD29]

Industrial. There is nothing hard about domestic work and it is easier to go from industrial to domestic than the other way round.

 

[Pete999]

An electrician who confine themselves to a single discipline say domestic for example is still and electrician there is no distinguishing an electrician from a "proper electrician" whatever that maybe.

If you want to only work in Domestic enrol in a DI COURSE, Simples

 

[Deleted account]

So say if I work for this bigger company will I still have the skills and knowledge to work in domestic

The answer to that is the same as can I carry out EICRs in domestic commercial and industrial.

I can carry them out in the field I am familiar with and have experience of working in.

So I cannot do EICRs in industrial as I have very little relevant experience.

if the bigger company get you work in domestic as well as industrial and commercial then the answer is yes, but it’s all about experience in the type of installation you want to work in.

 

[westward10]

So say if I work for this bigger company will I still have the skills and knowledge to work in domestic

Circuits are generally the same wherever they are installed but it is the installation methods which can differ so if you switch from industrial to domestic without having experience in that sector then initially you may struggle but then again you may not. Getting a cable from A to B is likely to be easier in a factory than a dwelling often where "tricks of the trade" are helpful.

 

[Deleted account]

I feel you are leaning toward the domestic option.

if that’s your choice that’s great good luck.

but in 10-20 years you may regret that.

As I said previously I would have loved to be given the industrial option, but it’s your life choices. If domestic is your choice good luck. Don’t let me or anyone else make these choices for you.

another but, please consider the industrial.

whichever way you go please let us know your choice.

 

[telectrix]

So say if I work for this bigger company will I still have the skills and knowledge to work in domestic

all the skills you'd be missing are how to pull up floorboards, crawl into tight spaces filled with itchy-poo and rat rubbish. oh. and how to deal with imbeciles. GO INDUSTRIAL. Do some domestics on the side by all means.

 

[Mike Johnson]

So say if I work for this bigger company will I still have the skills and knowledge to work in domestic

In Short Yes, but not the other way around.

 

[ruston]

So say if I work for this bigger company will I still have the skills and knowledge to work in domestic

From my experience yes. I worked in an Opencast coal mine .
We had everything from 3000 ton electric earth moving machines to a fully equipped machine shop, to office blocks with reception rooms, canteens with electrical catering equipment, in fact everything you would find in a domestic situation , even impromptu beds. And even domestic sockets and lighting.

 

[telectrix]

it's not just the skills. with industrial you are supplied with the right gear for the job, the proper tools and access equipment , you don't knacker your knees, back and hearing. best of all, there won't be any wet-pants , plaster sloppers or wood butchers interfering with your work.

 

[ruston]

it's not just the skills. with industrial you are supplied with the right gear for the job, the proper tools and access equipment , you don't knacker your knees, back and hearing. best of all, there won't be any wet-pants , plaster sloppers or wood butchers interfering with your work.

To think back it had a lot going for it., even in my day. Medical centre , subsidised canteen, travel money one way, plus half hour pay per day clock on time if you were on time every day for one week. Loads of others , even a Tug Of War team.

 

[plugsandsparks]

Go Industrial, the whole world can open up when you see what an electrician could go into when working in the industrial sector, some specialise in control, some specialise on the power side, some just installation, some just maintenance, world your oyster,,,,,, Good luck

 

[stevethesparks]

What I miss not working for a large firm any more is the way knowledge gets bounced around, and the ability to keep up to date a lot easier. Not to mention the costs I now have to lay out. I had a brilliant apprenticeship working on all types of installations, but rarely see a domestic, unless it was a bosses favour for one of the big customers or a PJ.
In later years nearing retirement, most of my work is now domestic allowing me to pick and choose my hours of work most of the time. However, going into domestic was also a learning curve at the beginning. Going large commercial/industrial for you early years of learning would definitely be an advantage in my opinion.

 

[7029 dave]

Same had a great verity when I was in my apprenticeship, factory's/schools/churches/ hospitals/ offices/pubs and of course house's. Loved all of it and each had their required skills. Domestic is not easy far from it.
Good luck what ever you decide (lucky lad)

 

[Teddy Lop]

Industrial. There is nothing hard about domestic work and it is easier to go from industrial to domestic than the other way round.

I wouldn't disagree but don't understate the skills and tricks particular to a good domestic sparky, I've seen laughable attempts at house bashing by factory etc sparks, if OP's plan is to strike out on his own then he should learn whats relevant..