Starting out - mature Electrician - no apprenticeship

[TickTock]

Hi
I've been told you can become a domestic installer by attending courses for a few weeks to pass the exams, and then by getting your two completed jobs inspected.

I'm not young enough to be an apprentice and I have been an electronic service engineer (when people would pay for things to be fixed).

I once fitted a consumer fusebox and electric shower before all the rules came out and I'm not totally in the dark.

I would be very grateful if anyone can let me know how easy it is to start out this way please, any tips, pitfalls and experiences will be very useful. I don't want to waste my money and other peoples time.

Thank you

 

[Kate]

just a warning..u may get some backlash for this post as its not an official way of doing things.
domestic installer is by no means an electrician. IMO its more what say a plumber would do so that he doesnt need to get an electrician in to wire boilers etc. it is not enough to get you going on your own, if you want to do this. try it as an apprentice sort of way, by doing the course and get some experience by getting employed alongside electricians.
im an electrician, that doesnt mean i can do electronics. i can check the basics but i couldnt fix it. i also trust my dad to change light fittings and shower units, that doesnt mean he could do whole installs.

the way you want to do things is technically right, but how are you going to have two jobs for inspection if you are not part p already? catch 22.

 

[telectrix]

put it another way. would you employ a solicitor or a surgeon who had done only a few weeks training? as kate says, learning the trade takes years with practical experience as well. these short courses are the equivalent of 11+ when you need A levels.

 

[TickTock]

Thanks for the advise. I have also managed to speak to an experienced electrician on the course team rather than one of the course sales team. He recommends working with other electricians before doing any work just like you two. My task will be finding someone who might be interested in bringing a mature person along to do some work. At least I have some electrical skills to offer.

Do you think there is any chance of this happening?

 

[SirusDvirus]

I was 45 when I started...local sparks took me on for a couple of weeks to help him out..saw I picked up on things easily and put me through my 2330...finished My NVQ Level 3 and AM2 took 5 years but all sorted

 

[Kate]

U may have to offer to do a weeks free experience as a way to prove yourself. I had to do this to score myself an apprenticeship.
Theres always a chance, if u want it bad enough and your dedicated it will show.

 

[TickTock]

Well done for that.
If I started an NVQ and it took 5 years I would be able to retire 5 years later!
But why not. I have no work now and I like domestic electrics. Probably won't be able to retire by then anyway like many people.

 

[7029 dave]

a lot of builders/tillers handy man etc, have done short courses, paid their money got part p and out there trading as sparkies with no experience wrong wrong!!, another government money spinner:ban:do it right

 

[TickTock]

Next question then.

Is there anyone in Kent that can offer work experience for domestic installer? I'm keen, able, and have some experience. Can repair your computer as well.

 

[Kate]

Honestly...u might be better off starting a new thread to ask that. Get more exposure there is a thread with electrician details, inc areas covered but I forget the name. Try searching Kent on this forums search box! Or look in the apprentice/training area of the forum too. I'm fairly new so hopefully someone will translate this message for me and tell u specifically where to go!!

 

[TickTock]

Yeah good idea.