Wanting career change - advice needed!

[hillcbt]

Hi

I am currently a teacher, but am looking for a career change. I just had some questions, I was hoping for some feedback on!

1. What academic qualifications do I need?
2. What is the average starting wage/potential earning power?
3. Which qualifications do I need? (Electrical)
4. Is it better to do a long course, or an intensive short course?
5. Is there demand for work...? Will I be earning as soon as I qualify?
6. Is it difficult to be set up as self employed, and to be successful?
7. How do I find out what to charge for a particular job?

I know there's a lot there, but if someone could answer I would be really appreciative. Is there anything else you think I should know?

Thanks, Craig

 

[montybaber]

1. i'd have thought as a teacher you'd exceed them
2. I dont know much about domestic earnings but potential to earn 40k (thats my best year so far) but like I say dont work domestic so may be well off
3. 2330 1+2 along with nvq3 etc 2391 inspection and test etc
4. Can of worms here lol, better to get working in the industry and learning alongside if possible
5. yes always demand, you will earn maybe not full once qualified
6. theres a lot to setting up on your own, being successfull will be dependant on experience and not jumping in the deep end.
7. on here

obviously the normal route into this work is serving your time in an apprenticeship etc, the short courses may seem tempting but ultimately it would scare me to death to see someone weeks into the game working alone.

 

[wayne]

i usually leave the cynasism and skeptism at work but this posts rings too many alarm bells
I am currently a teacher, but am looking for a career change. I just had some questions, I was hoping for some feedback on!
fair play if you're genuine and i apologise now

 

[CUDABOY]

probobally seen one of those "you can be an electrician" ads in paper...........i did my 236 1/2 ten years ago,sitting my 17th friday,done my eal, WHERE DO YOU BEGIN??? then i have to chhoo chhoo choose a comp scheme.....school holidays, know where id rather be,reakon cost you £5000 on the outside just to get qualified then you gotta get experiance,get work in, test gear,van.......................

i usually leave the cynasism and skeptism at work but this posts rings too many alarm bells
I am currently a teacher, but am looking for a career change. I just had some questions, I was hoping for some feedback on!
fair play if you're genuine and i apologise now

maybe caught with a finger in wrong kinda pie tee hee???

 

[montybaber]

good luck with your 17th..you wont need it!

 

[CUDABOY]

hee ta man, got some great resources where im doing it ,shakey being one! bit confusing learning 16th regs for eal last week then dump that and pick up 17th! what comp scheme you gone to? tried nic earlier online,not happening!

 

[hillcbt]

i usually leave the cynasism and skeptism at work but this posts rings too many alarm bells
I am currently a teacher, but am looking for a career change. I just had some questions, I was hoping for some feedback on!
fair play if you're genuine and i apologise now

why does my enquiry make you skeptical, have you tried teaching? just wanted some advice on whether sparky was the right move for me im 5 years in first generation uni in my family dad, brothers, uncle all trade plaster, plumbers, and have decided teachings not for me. wanted to retrain before i become a lifer.

1. i'd have thought as a teacher you'd exceed them
2. I dont know much about domestic earnings but potential to earn 40k (thats my best year so far) but like I say dont work domestic so may be well off
3. 2330 1+2 along with nvq3 etc 2391 inspection and test etc
4. Can of worms here lol, better to get working in the industry and learning alongside if possible
5. yes always demand, you will earn maybe not full once qualified
6. theres a lot to setting up on your own, being successfull will be dependant on experience and not jumping in the deep end.
7. on here

obviously the normal route into this work is serving your time in an apprenticeship etc, the short courses may seem tempting but ultimately it would scare me to death to see someone weeks into the game working alone.

thank you for your genuine advice and willingness to help exactly what i was looking for

 

[montybaber]

hee ta man, got some great resources where im doing it ,shakey being one! bit confusing learning 16th regs for eal last week then dump that and pick up 17th! what comp scheme you gone to? tried nic earlier online,not happening!

Im not working as maintenance electrician and just looking into it lately wont be NIC though im lucky enough not to have to bow to them

 

[CUDABOY]

respect if you want to change, my dad civil servant,has dad same..... wasnt for me either but i was always buggering about with stuff as a kid so only really natural to go and make a living playing with wires....if you know plumber etc go out for day with a tradesman,i knew of people who did 9 month block solid 236 1 and 2 in college<i did part time mine while working for company>they finished,got a job sparking and hated it!

 

[hillcbt]

respect if you want to change, my dad civil servant,has dad same..... wasnt for me either but i was always buggering about with stuff as a kid so only really natural to go and make a living playing with wires....if you know plumber etc go out for day with a tradesman,i knew of people who did 9 month block solid 236 1 and 2 in college<i did part time mine while working for company>they finished,got a job sparking and hated it!

i work with my old man/uncle/brothers on weekends and during hols, all good boys, enjoy the work and environment
dads self employed the ultimate plan is for me and my brothers to set up with him cover/offer a range of areas/skills

in teaching you get loads of ****/meet targets/blar blar blar its nothin but hassel. need alt before to old to retrain and drop massivly in pay

 

[CUDABOY]

in the words of arnold swartz..........DO IT.....................DO IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go for it, i could never work for authourities again! best of luck!

 

[hillcbt]

in the words of arnold swartz..........DO IT.....................DO IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go for it, i could never work for authourities again! best of luck!

the only other thing is all the 2391s 2381s etc nics 17th regs sounds very complicated once you start if you put in the hours is it easy to pick up? do you have to retrain everytime somthing new comes on the market? train with 17th retrain with 18th? etc

 

[montybaber]

yep lol

although 18th isnt on the cards for a long time

 

[hillcbt]

yep lol

although 18th isnt on the cards for a long time

lol. fear of the unknown more importantly what advise would qualified sparkies offer about... becoming an electrician, about training, job satisfaction, self employed or work for a company?

im on 28,000 at the moment rises yearly by bout 1000, got job surcurity, & good pension... thats bout it i no longer enjoy any aspect of it, far to much politics with idiots 'in charge' you punch you gut out to help the kids and they dont even want to be there

is this the way forward??????

yep lol

although 18th isnt on the cards for a long time

lol... yep its easy to pick up or yes its complicated cheers

 

[montybaber]

I certainly couldnt do it but then I have zero patience

I enjoy it, dont get excited by wideboys claiming 5k a week though in my experience its all bull! you will make a good living though and with a bit of luck and loads of drive you can sit back in 20 years time watching a fleet of vans with your name on it flying about.

I think thats what all sparks dream of when they start, sad truth is many retire with a full toolbag

 

[hillcbt]

I certainly couldnt do it but then I have zero patience

I enjoy it, dont get excited by wideboys claiming 5k a week though in my experience its all bull! you will make a good living though and with a bit of luck and loads of drive you can sit back in 20 years time watching a fleet of vans with your name on it flying about.

I think thats what all sparks dream of when they start, sad truth is many retire with a full toolbag

thanks again i value your opinion, how long have you been a sparky? are you self employed if not who/where du work ?
bit cheeky i know sorry

 

[montybaber]

Not a problem been an electrician since I was 16 (which seems forever even though im 28) went down the maintenance route (industria/commercial machines automation) it interested me more to be honest.

I now work for a food manufacturer (quite well known making snack products for major supermarkets) so if anyone likes scotch eggs/ cocktail sausages give me a shout

 

[tony.towa]

Have just read through this thread and the first thing I will say is that it's a brave decision to make a career change away from teaching.

If you are serious about being an electrician then realistically the advice given about courses at the beginning of the thread is a good starting point. With regard to 2391, don't worry about it until you have got 2330 or equivalent as test and inspection is part covered in this course.

Try chatting with a couple of local eletricians an see if there is anyone wanting a mate. This will get you your practical experience while you do your courses.

I don't know enough about short courses to make a valid comment on them. The only thing that I can say is that it concerns me that firms offer a short course to teach what it took me several years at college to learn (this is just a personal opinion and I am prepared to hear from those who know more about these courses than I do)

You no doubt have contacts in local colleges, have a chat with them. Be prepared to start on a relatively low wage but at the end of the day what you are prepared to put in you should get out.

If you decide to go with the career change, I wish you all the very best and I agree with an earlier comment, go for it. Whatever you decide post it on the forum and if you do join this insane industry if you have any questions then hopefully someone here can help.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[hillcbt]

Not a problem been an electrician since I was 16 (which seems forever even though im 28) went down the maintenance route (industria/commercial machines automation) it interested me more to be honest.

I now work for a food manufacturer (quite well known making snack products for major supermarkets) so if anyone likes scotch eggs/ cocktail sausages give me a shout

thanks

g'iz a job' lol

 

[jonboy1]

Hi Craig

In answer to your questions;

1,3 and 4) academic qualifications required would be minimal maths, maybe physics. The standard electrical qualifications C&G electrical installation, the testing and inspection and 17th edition. It is probably possible to pass these within 2 to 3 years but the actual qualifications stand for very little in the terms of practical knowledge. The best way to learn is by working within the industry for a period of time with more experienced sparks. There are so many "tricks of the trade" that aren't covered in a class room. For this reason i think that evening courses or day release would be more suitable as short intensive courses will be more difficult to take in if not working within the field

2) Average starting salary can be anything from 14k to 18k. I don't think that a company would pay more for someone straight out of college with limited experience. Obviously as you become more proficient the money should begin to increase but unless you are running your own business or putting in some serious overtime i think that 28-34K is a realistic figure for a 9-5.

5) your demand will depend on the qualtiy of your work. Most of my work comes from recommendations or the previous merits of the work we've carried out. Yellow page ads and such like provide mainly annoying additional sockets etc too much hassle for small return.

6) The question about setting up is perhaps a little pre-emptive. I think that with little experience you will struggle to set up alone as without the knowledge of several years within this trade there are too many learning curves where you could get unstuck. Of course a smart guy would set up, employ someone who knows what their doing and skim of their wage and knowledge. Running a business is a completely different ball game to being an everyday sparks - NIC or governing body enrolment and inspections, insurances, vehicles, wages, people not paying, VAT, H&Safety, correct estimating, invoicing....the list goes on.. and this is not including the everyday struggle of actually doing the work.
7) Charging for work will be dependant on what the other people are charging in the area. Most domestic installations the owners will have called in maybe 3 different people. You can find out by just phoning around competitors with a few carefully placed questions.

Hope this is of some help. I have recently taken on a guy aged 32 who decided to change his career. He has found it a challenge but enjoyable from previous work. It is not something that happens overnight. Hope this is of help and good luck!

 

[hillcbt]

Have just read through this thread and the first thing I will say is that it's a brave decision to make a career change away from teaching.

If you are serious about being an electrician then realistically the advice given about courses at the beginning of the thread is a good starting point. With regard to 2391, don't worry about it until you have got 2330 or equivalent as test and inspection is part covered in this course.

Try chatting with a couple of local eletricians an see if there is anyone wanting a mate. This will get you your practical experience while you do your courses.

I don't know enough about short courses to make a valid comment on them. The only thing that I can say is that it concerns me that firms offer a short course to teach what it took me several years at college to learn (this is just a personal opinion and I am prepared to hear from those who know more about these courses than I do)

You no doubt have contacts in local colleges, have a chat with them. Be prepared to start on a relatively low wage but at the end of the day what you are prepared to put in you should get out.

If you decide to go with the career change, I wish you all the very best and I agree with an earlier comment, go for it. Whatever you decide post it on the forum and if you do join this insane industry if you have any questions then hopefully someone here can help.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

thanks mate thats really helpful advise its a big step walking away from sumthin so sucure i know...

sumtimes i think you have to take that leap of faith... and aim to land on your feet
will keep you posted cheers all (any other insight is more than welcome cheers all)

Hi Craig

In answer to your questions;

1,3 and 4) academic qualifications required would be minimal maths, maybe physics. The standard electrical qualifications C&G electrical installation, the testing and inspection and 17th edition. It is probably possible to pass these within 2 to 3 years but the actual qualifications stand for very little in the terms of practical knowledge. The best way to learn is by working within the industry for a period of time with more experienced sparks. There are so many "tricks of the trade" that aren't covered in a class room. For this reason i think that evening courses or day release would be more suitable as short intensive courses will be more difficult to take in if not working within the field

2) Average starting salary can be anything from 14k to 18k. I don't think that a company would pay more for someone straight out of college with limited experience. Obviously as you become more proficient the money should begin to increase but unless you are running your own business or putting in some serious overtime i think that 28-34K is a realistic figure for a 9-5.

5) your demand will depend on the qualtiy of your work. Most of my work comes from recommendations or the previous merits of the work we've carried out. Yellow page ads and such like provide mainly annoying additional sockets etc too much hassle for small return.

6) The question about setting up is perhaps a little pre-emptive. I think that with little experience you will struggle to set up alone as without the knowledge of several years within this trade there are too many learning curves where you could get unstuck. Of course a smart guy would set up, employ someone who knows what their doing and skim of their wage and knowledge. Running a business is a completely different ball game to being an everyday sparks - NIC or governing body enrolment and inspections, insurances, vehicles, wages, people not paying, VAT, H&Safety, correct estimating, invoicing....the list goes on.. and this is not including the everyday struggle of actually doing the work.
7) Charging for work will be dependant on what the other people are charging in the area. Most domestic installations the owners will have called in maybe 3 different people. You can find out by just phoning around competitors with a few carefully placed questions.

Hope this is of some help. I have recently taken on a guy aged 32 who decided to change his career. He has found it a challenge but enjoyable from previous work. It is not something that happens overnight. Hope this is of help and good luck!

wow, thank you for your time ! that was really insightful/informative, Q - the guy you have just employed how did he train/retrain? over what period? etc do you think its a realistic approach to do an intensive course then get employed by someone like yourself to learn the 'trix of the trade'? so i start the job at least 'qualified in thoery' ? i fully appreciate that theres no better way of learning the ropes than on the job but these courses give you the certificates required by law to carry out the work... i wouldnt just be able to scout for work with a sparky with no prior knowledge would i?

 

[stevie h]

Hi mate , from what you have said , it seems you want to be self employed, the quickest route is to , sign up for a NIC part p course (1 week) Hybrid Technical Services - Gas and Electrical Training
then do your 17th edition - 1 week plus lots of studying due to your lack of experience plus a multiple choice exam

You are now ready to join the NICEIC under part p domestic installer scheme once you pass your on site assessment, get a set of tests , insurance , etc ...this is all you need to work in domestic properties... which seems mad but ........

ideally you should have a few years on site experience , but its not a requirement as a friend of mine has just proved , as he is now a NICEIC part p electrician ..... six months ago he was a kitchen and bedroom fitter

 

[montybaber]

which seems mad but ........

yes it does IMO

 

[Bane]

1. What academic qualifications do I need?
None, as long as you are able to read and write to GCSE standard

2. What is the average starting wage/potential earning power?
Personally, I was on £10ph with no prior experience and no quals. Employed as an electricians mate/labourer

3. Which qualifications do I need? (Electrical)
Either City&Guilds 2330 (to become 'full' electrician, domestic/commercial/industrial) or EAL Domestic Installer Sheme. Let's leave it at that for now

4. Is it better to do a long course, or an intensive short course?
If you've no prior experience, long course. College 2 nights a week or 1 day a week for 3yrs.

5. Is there demand for work...? Will I be earning as soon as I qualify?
Yes and yes.

6. Is it difficult to be set up as self employed, and to be successful?
Can't really comment on this one.

7. How do I find out what to charge for a particular job?
Experience and electriciansforums.net (there really is a wealth of knowledge on here and some really good guys)

Hope this has hekped some? Keep us posted on your progress and any further Q's...

You know where to come.

 

[hillcbt]

1. What academic qualifications do I need?
None, as long as you are able to read and write to GCSE standard

2. What is the average starting wage/potential earning power?
Personally, I was on £10ph with no prior experience and no quals. Employed as an electricians mate/labourer

3. Which qualifications do I need? (Electrical)
Either City&Guilds 2330 (to become 'full' electrician, domestic/commercial/industrial) or EAL Domestic Installer Sheme. Let's leave it at that for now

4. Is it better to do a long course, or an intensive short course?
If you've no prior experience, long course. College 2 nights a week or 1 day a week for 3yrs.

5. Is there demand for work...? Will I be earning as soon as I qualify?
Yes and yes.

6. Is it difficult to be set up as self employed, and to be successful?
Can't really comment on this one.

7. How do I find out what to charge for a particular job?
Experience and electriciansforums.net (there really is a wealth of knowledge on here and some really good guys)

Hope this has hekped some? Keep us posted on your progress and any further Q's...

You know where to come.

thank you very much for your time thats was very helpful

 

[wayne]

hillcbt,
i first read this post when just opened
its grown very quickly and most of the posts are valid read them all if you're looking at a career change
good luck keep us posted

 

[ElectricMick]

Hi Hillcbt
I have recently career changed. In Military logistics for 30 years then went down the 2381, 2391, EAL domestic installer route. Its mind numbing at times, but very interesting. Set up on my own, but not registered yet with NIC/Napit/Elecsa. Panicing a bit about my abilty to pass assessment although academically all there. I'm earning money, and have been for six months, but I do have the added advantage of a military pension. I couldn't survive solely on what I earn as an electrician (yet). Hope it all works out for you. Its an interesting challenge.

 

[Dinosaur]

you need to speak to shakey. he will give you all the info you need. like some have said pros and cons for quick courses at the end of the day it all depends on what you want to.

 

[hillcbt]

you need to speak to shakey. he will give you all the info you need. like some have said pros and cons for quick courses at the end of the day it all depends on what you want to.

hi i was told today that the 'quick courses' dont fulfil the nvq requirements for 2 & 3 as you need to have work experiance/certain amount hours on the job. sparkies mate. not just theory

does anyone know if this is the case, or how this works. a lot of people cant believe you can do a 4/5/6 week course then set up and work as an electrician in this time. and it makes sense i wouldnt be confident goin into someones house after this short, theory based space of time and only having limited knowledge of practical through workshops.

and im confident that the people who thought these courses up have realised that lives could be at risk literally, lettin a 'rooky' loose
i mean you do your theory in a driving test you still have to sit the practical to pass....


Q= are you allowed to carry out self employed work without site work experiance
Q= would you be employable without on site work experiance
Q= are you able to complete course and gain nvq status without work experiance

thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thred

Hi mate , from what you have said , it seems you want to be self employed, the quickest route is to , sign up for a NIC part p course (1 week) Hybrid Technical Services - Gas and Electrical Training
then do your 17th edition - 1 week plus lots of studying due to your lack of experience plus a multiple choice exam

You are now ready to join the NICEIC under part p domestic installer scheme once you pass your on site assessment, get a set of tests , insurance , etc ...this is all you need to work in domestic properties... which seems mad but ........

ideally you should have a few years on site experience , but its not a requirement as a friend of mine has just proved , as he is now a NICEIC part p electrician ..... six months ago he was a kitchen and bedroom fitter

hi cheers,
hi yes the course ive looked at offer 'every thing id need to set up on my own in just 4 weeks' everything you mentioned above

however

what is involved in the on site assessment? (how du get on site in order to be assessed???? if your not qulifiyed how can you get work???)

and also what is ment by 'get a set of tests'

sorry if these questions seem obvious...

 

[sparkyork]

what is involved in the on site assessment? (how du get on site in order to be assessed???? if your not qulifiyed how can you get work???)

right, on site assesment just means on the job you've done, it coule be anywhere (not on a building site as such), theres a big difference between qualified and competent, if you can do the work then you'll be ok, are you looking at going defined or full scope? if you go for full scope where you can carry out all domestic work then you could change your consumer unit at home and do an extra socket or something in a neighbours house. you will have to make sure that all your work compies with current regs and that the rest of your house is also up to standard, main equipotential bonding etc.

the above could get you your jobs for the assesment, but bear in mind you will need local authorty building control to complete the consumer unit change. then its s case of paying for your assesment and waiting for them to tell you when they will come and see them. theres some threads on this site somewhere that will tell you what to expect on the assesment, but basically will need to know a far amount on inspection and testing and values expected etc aswell as knowledge on building regs, plus 2 million public liability, approved document p, memorandum of electricity at work regulations 1989 etc etc etc, which ever body you go with will tell you what you need.

 

[stevie h]

Hi mate , you will need a multi function tester > 404 page not found: Metrel d.d./eurotest_family_multifunction_testers/

as for the on site assessment , this can be a fuse board change in your own home with the NIC


The Testing may take you a bit of time to pick up , my advice is to get your test kit, a testing guide/book/dvd , then make your own rig to work and practice testing on > get your self a sheet of ply and fix a fuse board , small ring main (4 skts) lighting circuit , cooker circuit ect then wire it all up , use a flex and plug to power the rig .


Here is what you need on top of your 17th edition and part p quals

• Public liability insurance cover
• Electrical reference documents (BS7671, Electricity at Work, On site guide etc)
• Test instruments and calibration records
• Electrical installation certificates for work carried out
• Complaints procedure and log
• Guarantee Insurance provider (not required on the day of the assessment as details can be provided at a later date)
• Risk Assessment procedure
• Health & Safety requirements
• Site Visit

its far from easy to become a spark in such a short space of time, it took me 5 years serving my time and i,m only just getting to grips with testing nearly 10 years on but am sure you will get there if you really put the effort in

Cheers

Ste

 

[Excel Saga]

That was a great post Jonboy; comprehensive, encouraging but realistic. Thank you for your time spent answering long lists of questions from young hopefuls like myself.