Retraining as an electrician at 40
Discussion
I've worked in desk-based jobs for my entire adult life and getting a bit fed up with it and need a change.
I'm a very competent DIYer and will turn my hand to pretty much any practical type job, so figured I'd quite like to make a career of it.
I find that when I'm doing manual type work, time just disappears and I lose myself in it, whereas when I'm at a desk I'm constantly bored and distracted.
I'm 40 next year and figured that being an electrician might be an interesting path forward.
I've done a bit of research on how to get into it and it seems I would have to do the 2365 diploma levels 2 and 3 which would be 1 day a week for approximately a year and cost £5k.
The final bit to become fully qualified seems to be some workplace assessment over 6 months and costs a further £1350.
So my question is... how viable is all this? I am fortunate enough to be able to afford the training, and I can continue in my current job whilst I do so. But for the final stage, am I likely to get professional work, in order to be assessed and become fully qualified. And following that how easy will it be to find a full-time job?
The end goal of all this would be to become self-employed, but I'd like to gain a few years' work experience before doing that.
I'm a very competent DIYer and will turn my hand to pretty much any practical type job, so figured I'd quite like to make a career of it.
I find that when I'm doing manual type work, time just disappears and I lose myself in it, whereas when I'm at a desk I'm constantly bored and distracted.
I'm 40 next year and figured that being an electrician might be an interesting path forward.
I've done a bit of research on how to get into it and it seems I would have to do the 2365 diploma levels 2 and 3 which would be 1 day a week for approximately a year and cost £5k.
The final bit to become fully qualified seems to be some workplace assessment over 6 months and costs a further £1350.
So my question is... how viable is all this? I am fortunate enough to be able to afford the training, and I can continue in my current job whilst I do so. But for the final stage, am I likely to get professional work, in order to be assessed and become fully qualified. And following that how easy will it be to find a full-time job?
The end goal of all this would be to become self-employed, but I'd like to gain a few years' work experience before doing that.
I was one of the furloughed and then redundant lot from last year, and at the age of 50, thought I may be on the scrap pile.
Entire industry was pickled to a high degree.
A friend of mine offered then offered a PTS rail ticket, which is a pretty basic qualification to get you on the rail close to the electrics, but not play with them.
Another friend, on hearing I had this paltry 'digging holes' certificate, said he could use me as he has railway work in the electrical arena.
Fast forward a year, and I've been working as an apprentice commercial electrician for pretty much the last 10 months every day. And am only just now thinking about the exams, and whether to take them.
Lots of the work in the commercial field, is metal work, fixing struts, noggins, and the such, which don't require any certs to start with.
CSCS labouring card is all you would need, and there seems to be work all over the place.
Not sure I'd get the qualifications without real experience, as without the ability to use all the tools and fixings correctly, you may look a tad foolish on day one when someone asks you to fabricate and thread metal conduit.
Personally, I'd try and find someone who needs help in the field, and offer your services to gain experience before the exams. Sparks always have weekend work on, and you could possibly do that around your current employment.
Hope this helps,
Entire industry was pickled to a high degree.
A friend of mine offered then offered a PTS rail ticket, which is a pretty basic qualification to get you on the rail close to the electrics, but not play with them.
Another friend, on hearing I had this paltry 'digging holes' certificate, said he could use me as he has railway work in the electrical arena.
Fast forward a year, and I've been working as an apprentice commercial electrician for pretty much the last 10 months every day. And am only just now thinking about the exams, and whether to take them.
Lots of the work in the commercial field, is metal work, fixing struts, noggins, and the such, which don't require any certs to start with.
CSCS labouring card is all you would need, and there seems to be work all over the place.
Not sure I'd get the qualifications without real experience, as without the ability to use all the tools and fixings correctly, you may look a tad foolish on day one when someone asks you to fabricate and thread metal conduit.
Personally, I'd try and find someone who needs help in the field, and offer your services to gain experience before the exams. Sparks always have weekend work on, and you could possibly do that around your current employment.
Hope this helps,
What type of electrician do you want to be? There are many different routes with different workloads and expectations.
Domestic house bashing? Happy to be crawling around in lofts and chasing out walls? Good route to go self employed, start up your own business etc. Can be competitive.
More comercial? Running in loads of tray and trunking, heavy armoured cables etc. Can earn good money, usually have to be employed or a sub. Working on building sites.
Full time employed in a company, electrical maintenance etc ?
Domestic house bashing? Happy to be crawling around in lofts and chasing out walls? Good route to go self employed, start up your own business etc. Can be competitive.
More comercial? Running in loads of tray and trunking, heavy armoured cables etc. Can earn good money, usually have to be employed or a sub. Working on building sites.
Full time employed in a company, electrical maintenance etc ?
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Don't forget the effects on your body as you age. Being "on the tools" does take it out of you as you get older.
Far Cough said:
I hope your knees are up to it. Lots of crawling around in tight spaces if you aim for domestic etc.
By all means go for it, but the above comments are very accurate. You may find in your late 50s early 60s you will get problems. You could always do time on the tools and then move onto design or supervision when older.
I'm knocking my trade on the head next year because of poor knees and lack of flexibility.
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