Urgent! At 50, should I become an electrician?

[Wael]

Afternoon!

Three and half years ago I moved to the UK with my Brit wife. I am an electrical engineer by trade. After applying for dozens of jobs, I offered to work for free and a local engineering company employed me, and then offered me a full-time job as a Cad technician and estimator. Sod's law, just as I was getting stuck in, their projects dried up and again I was out of work. That was Dec 2013. Since then, despite applying for hundreds of jobs, doing spec emails, taking careers advice, seeing agencies, I've had just a few interviews with no luck and am seriously concerned about my future and if I'll ever find work again.

So, I've come here to ask - would it be worth my while training to become an electrician? Don't fancy self-employed, but to work for a company. I'm based in London and I've seen a few courses run by Able Skills. But I would appreciate some frank advice as to whether it's really worth my time and money, and if there 's any hope of getting a job afterwards? To be honest, I'm getting stuck for ideas as to what to do for work. If not an electrician, is there anything else someone could suggest I do, either a different trade, or other courses?

Thanks very much.

Wael

 

[PEG]

Hi dude,to assist advice giving...could you tell us what area of electrical engineering you were involved in,and your training/history in that field.

This may give folk an indication of your immediate strengths and how much re-training,if any,is required.

A clue to what area of electrical work you fancy,would be beneficial,ie;domestic/industrial etc. :wink_smile:

 

[Guest77]

Don't lower your standards, if you are indeed an engineer there are hundreds of jobs in London, I look at them daily, if you are indeed struggling to get a job it may be a case of your not as qualified regarding being an engineer as you think mate, as above more info please.

 

[Wael]

Thanks both for the reply.

A little bit of background, I'm from the middle east and have the equivalent of a BSc (Naric certified) in electrical engineering. When I was back home, I worked in electronics such as amplifier design, and in Communications. I then left my home country and moved to the UAE and worked on AC ducts with some electrical installation. After that, for a consultancy where I was an MEP Co-ordinator. Then the recession hit and I lost my job (with no such thing as redundancy out there!) My final job in the UAE was as a Project Manager for IBS (In Building Solution), installing equipment to strengthen mobile signals inside buildings (towers). I then moved to the UK with my wife and worked for Reed Engineering in Surrey as a Cad Technician and Estimator (two roles) - and due to the recession in the UK, the company's projects folded and so did they, and I was out of work again. So, due to various factors, namely recession and bad luck, I've not had much success securing a full-time role again.

For me, domestic/residential work is the best for me as I have more experience here. The interviews that I've had have been for design electrical engineer and as Cad technician. I asked for feedback from my last interview and was told, I was just beaten by someone having mechanical experience which was an advantage for the company.

Just getting to the end here and not sure which way to go forward. Tough on my family too when there's no job in sight.

Appreciate the advice.

 

[Adam W]

Have a look at what jobs there are for domestic electricians in your local area, maybe even call and ask if they would employ you having done this Able Skills course.

The worst case scenario is you spend time and money on this course and then can't get a job afterwards, either because there just aren't the jobs for domestic only electricians, because the employers don't trust the training centre you went to, because they don't consider those qualifications to qualify you as an electrician, because they think you're too old, because you haven't got enough experience, or any combination of those.

 

[Marvo]

Weal, I've made a thread for you in the employment section of the forum and I've copied your post and put it there.
http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk...-area/103044-engineer-looking-employment.html

 

[PEG]

Hi fella,my other bit of advice,has nothing to do with the technical side of employment procurement.

Over my lifetime,i have seen the exponential rise,and sometimes the catastrophic crash,of many trades and industries. I have been around long enough to see some come back under different titles,and experience,aptitude and dedication have not always been commensurate with remuneration.

I have seen friends end up in jobs by "accident",they didn't want or enjoy...and earn staggering amounts of coin...

I also,have seen some decent,intelligent friends,earning good money and swapping jobs at a stroke...suddenly get finished,as a result of changes in that industry or maybe the economic cycle. They then get so distracted,pursuing the same job,that they either don't or won't accept the end of what was,a cyclic opportunity.

The constant failure to find similar,or the repeated application rebuttals,then can engender a bitterness against an industry or market,that has just moved on.

This is by no means a critique of your situation,which could well be completely different,but just a suggestion,that looking at oneself,from an "outside" position,can,although harsh,be a wake-up.

I have been immensely blessed,growing up amongst friends from the farming and gypsy community,who throughout my time here on earth,have instantly and brutally,pointed out every occasion where my pride or self-importance has clouded my vision,and a straight word was required.

An honest request,to those close to you,may reveal a clue to the direction you need to be heading. These folk know you better than us eejits,on a forum....

Your answer may be found from this,and not any training course recommendation,or CV re-jig...:sailor:

I hope you find what you seek,regards, PEG

 

[baldsparkies]

Look at the bigger picture.
Your 50, you don't need or require to much stress in your life, and possibly seeing retirement as not being in the not so distant future.
How much would you be comfortable earning, how much responsibility do you want.
I was managing large projects at your age, it was stressful, it meant working away from home, it was not good for my health.
So I jacked it in and started working for myself with a top bloke who was in the same position as myself.
We have been covering commercial and domestic work for the last 12 years and I wish I had done it years ago.
I enjoy going to work in the mornings and work with a guy who has said is a top bloke and also great friend whom I get on with really well.
At 62 I intend to keep going for as long as health permits.
So like I say, think of the bigger picture, and good luck to you.

 

[ruston]

Hi fella,my other bit of advice,has nothing to do with the technical side of employment procurement.

Over my lifetime,i have seen the exponential rise,and sometimes the catastrophic crash,of many trades and industries. I have been around long enough to see some come back under different titles,and experience,aptitude and dedication have not always been commensurate with remuneration.

I have seen friends end up in jobs by "accident",they didn't want or enjoy...and earn staggering amounts of coin...

I also,have seen some decent,intelligent friends,earning good money and swapping jobs at a stroke...suddenly get finished,as a result of changes in that industry or maybe the economic cycle. They then get so distracted,pursuing the same job,that they either don't or won't accept the end of what was,a cyclic opportunity.

The constant failure to find similar,or the repeated application rebuttals,then can engender a bitterness against an industry or market,that has just moved on.

This is by no means a critique of your situation,which could well be completely different,but just a suggestion,that looking at oneself,from an "outside" position,can,although harsh,be a wake-up.

I have been immensely blessed,growing up amongst friends from the farming and gypsy community,who throughout my time here on earth,have instantly and brutally,pointed out every occasion where my pride or self-importance has clouded my vision,and a straight word was required.

An honest request,to those close to you,may reveal a clue to the direction you need to be heading. These folk know you better than us eejits,on a forum....

Your answer may be found from this,and not any training course recommendation,or CV re-jig...:sailor:

I hope you find what you seek,regards, PEG

That is some post PEG.
Very eloquent too.

 

[UKMeterman]

Try writing a decent CV and put it on Find 1000s of UK Jobs. Start your job search with Jobsite UK and Monster Jobs - Job Search, Career Advice & Hiring Resources | Monster.com with a bit of luck the phone should ring the following morning.