Retraining as an Electrician?
Discussion
Hi all, bit of background first...
I'm looking at possibly relocating back to the UK, I've lived in Norway for the last 4 years and for 3.5 of those I worked for my father in law's construction company. Most of the work I undertook was mainly as a carpenter (unqualified) but I also did lots of other stuff including electrical work such as installing electrical contact points, re/wiring old/new houses, installing underfloor heating and installing led down lights is as far as my experience took me but. Really enjoyed this type of work.
So my question is at nearly 34, how can I get I to the industry and retrain, I see these companies offering training courses are they worth it? What qualifications should I be looking at? Have I already missed the boat in terms of age?
I'm looking at possibly relocating back to the UK, I've lived in Norway for the last 4 years and for 3.5 of those I worked for my father in law's construction company. Most of the work I undertook was mainly as a carpenter (unqualified) but I also did lots of other stuff including electrical work such as installing electrical contact points, re/wiring old/new houses, installing underfloor heating and installing led down lights is as far as my experience took me but. Really enjoyed this type of work.
So my question is at nearly 34, how can I get I to the industry and retrain, I see these companies offering training courses are they worth it? What qualifications should I be looking at? Have I already missed the boat in terms of age?
Usual way for apprentices is day release to college, guessing this take 2-3 years. Assume age isn’t a restriction at college.
You’d need someone/company to take you on. Be pretty lucky if they pay you 100 a day I’d have thought, although with your age and experience you may be able to prove that you’re worth that, as long as they can charge you out for more.
If you can go self employed after your have enough experience (5+ years?) there’s good money. Friend who works on his charges himself at a minimal £200 a day, then there’s always the odd £50 evening job or whatever, the more you work the more you’ll make, generally.
You could then grow your business, take on lads etc and do very well for yourself.
Everyone’s busy at the moment so good time to get in the trade I’d have thought.
You’d need someone/company to take you on. Be pretty lucky if they pay you 100 a day I’d have thought, although with your age and experience you may be able to prove that you’re worth that, as long as they can charge you out for more.
If you can go self employed after your have enough experience (5+ years?) there’s good money. Friend who works on his charges himself at a minimal £200 a day, then there’s always the odd £50 evening job or whatever, the more you work the more you’ll make, generally.
You could then grow your business, take on lads etc and do very well for yourself.
Everyone’s busy at the moment so good time to get in the trade I’d have thought.
Sounds good.
It's not just about the money but for me to retrain doing something I enjoy as I've previously worked in construction anyway and it wasn't really an option available to me in Norway without the full apprentice route.
Just all the various websites and different qualifications are a little confusing.
It's not just about the money but for me to retrain doing something I enjoy as I've previously worked in construction anyway and it wasn't really an option available to me in Norway without the full apprentice route.
Just all the various websites and different qualifications are a little confusing.
Would you say you're competent to work as a spark? And would you want to work for a company or for yourself? If the latter I'd say chat to NIC or another scheme provider about what qualifications they'd need to register you, you might be able to quick track and take 2391 or whatever the testing and certifying is now possibly plus a 17th course (although 18th is imminent)
A company may sponsor you but will want their pound of flesh ie you might not be earning real man money, wouldn't worry about your age myself but as ever others may crib.
A company may sponsor you but will want their pound of flesh ie you might not be earning real man money, wouldn't worry about your age myself but as ever others may crib.
Royce44 said:
Live in kent. Work in london.
Any paye jobs kn eclectrical are paying 30k-35k.
Subbys 200 a day but you doing 9 hours a day plus travel.
Where as i earn a higher basic plus the overtime, get a work car and do 10hrs door to door. Didn't need to blow 5k on traing and tools either.
So what qualifications do you have and how did you get into the industry? Currently looking at £5-7k for courses.Any paye jobs kn eclectrical are paying 30k-35k.
Subbys 200 a day but you doing 9 hours a day plus travel.
Where as i earn a higher basic plus the overtime, get a work car and do 10hrs door to door. Didn't need to blow 5k on traing and tools either.
Royce44 said:
Live in kent. Work in london.
Any paye jobs kn eclectrical are paying 30k-35k.
Subbys 200 a day but you doing 9 hours a day plus travel.
Where as i earn a higher basic plus the overtime, get a work car and do 10hrs door to door. Didn't need to blow 5k on traing and tools either.
Or work for yourself, easily making 1k a week, more if you work for it. Then grow your business and make even more. 100k+ profit a year is quite achievable if you’re a business man as well as a sparky (friend of a friend is).Any paye jobs kn eclectrical are paying 30k-35k.
Subbys 200 a day but you doing 9 hours a day plus travel.
Where as i earn a higher basic plus the overtime, get a work car and do 10hrs door to door. Didn't need to blow 5k on traing and tools either.
My best mate is a sparky, he is very rarely working past 4, and if he is it’s generally another job on top of what he’s earnt that day.
Honestly I thought with the lack of real experience other than the things I've already done, I think it might be a struggle to get a job as an electricians mate. That's why I'm looking to go down the qualifications and getting it on paper route.
Edit: Would this course be suitable? https://www.tradeskills4u.co.uk/courses/2365-cours...
Edit: Would this course be suitable? https://www.tradeskills4u.co.uk/courses/2365-cours...
Edited by NordicCrankShaft on Monday 20th November 15:55
In terms of qualifications, i had none when i started. Just followed a guy round, got stuck in and was out on my own after a year.
The problem with electrics is you have to spend 5-7k for the course, then work for £120 a day for 3 years as a mate while you do your nvq3. You then another 2k on tools, then a van to get you to work, then there's the annual calibration fees, oh and the 3rd party accreditation fees of several hundred pounds.
Dont get me wrong id love to move over for the actual work, however i can stay where i am for a much better work life balance without the drama of constant edition updates etc.
Dont jump in naive that youll be rich. Those who are, are either currently working themselves into a grave or got lucky with a few big contracts and now just make £20 a day off each labourer.
The problem with electrics is you have to spend 5-7k for the course, then work for £120 a day for 3 years as a mate while you do your nvq3. You then another 2k on tools, then a van to get you to work, then there's the annual calibration fees, oh and the 3rd party accreditation fees of several hundred pounds.
Dont get me wrong id love to move over for the actual work, however i can stay where i am for a much better work life balance without the drama of constant edition updates etc.
Dont jump in naive that youll be rich. Those who are, are either currently working themselves into a grave or got lucky with a few big contracts and now just make £20 a day off each labourer.
What about trying for an apprenticeship with a DNO as a jointer or linesman? I work for the one that covers the East, South East and London, and opportunities here are great.
Apprenticeship money is getting better all the time, think a couple of the guys in my yard are on about £24k(?) as a starting salary, rising every year for 5 years. Plus once you’re out of your apprenticeship, there’s standby, which you can easily double your wages with. Lots of overtime if you can be flexible with staying late/last minute standby cover. Slightly different to sparks work, but interesting and every day is different.
Apprenticeship money is getting better all the time, think a couple of the guys in my yard are on about £24k(?) as a starting salary, rising every year for 5 years. Plus once you’re out of your apprenticeship, there’s standby, which you can easily double your wages with. Lots of overtime if you can be flexible with staying late/last minute standby cover. Slightly different to sparks work, but interesting and every day is different.
expensivegarms said:
What about trying for an apprenticeship with a DNO as a jointer or linesman? I work for the one that covers the East, South East and London, and opportunities here are great.
Apprenticeship money is getting better all the time, think a couple of the guys in my yard are on about £24k(?) as a starting salary, rising every year for 5 years. Plus once you’re out of your apprenticeship, there’s standby, which you can easily double your wages with. Lots of overtime if you can be flexible with staying late/last minute standby cover. Slightly different to sparks work, but interesting and every day is different.
A quick Google and this does sound like an interesting option.Apprenticeship money is getting better all the time, think a couple of the guys in my yard are on about £24k(?) as a starting salary, rising every year for 5 years. Plus once you’re out of your apprenticeship, there’s standby, which you can easily double your wages with. Lots of overtime if you can be flexible with staying late/last minute standby cover. Slightly different to sparks work, but interesting and every day is different.
Is there a minimum age for apprentices because I'm going on 34 in a few days?
No maximum age as far as I’m aware, we’ve just taken on a load of guys whose ages range from 16 up to about 50! The training program is great too, stay away in hotels for a bit, meet loads of new people, interesting courses etc. Obviously, there is going to be boring courses too, but they’re mainly box ticking exercises. Worth looking into if you fancy a change.
I'm 32 and going down the aforementioned route of applying for apprentice roles at the Distribution Network Operators.
Specifically the GCSE entry route at Western Power. Applications for the scheme opens in December, if you're successful you'll start September 2018. I've made some friends at track days who work for them, and this is the most enthusiastic and excited I've been for years about career opportunities.
I pinched this from their FAQ:
Year 1 £12,456
Year 2 £14,073*
On successful completion of the formal elements of the training, apprentices will move to a development role with
an experienced craftsperson. In this role you will be paid £25,415.
You will receive regular assessments in this development role and once assessed to be competent, you will be appointed as a Craftsperson with annual incremental progression, subject to satisfactory performance, up to
£32,548.
You will be required to undertake out-of-hours standby duties for which standby payments and overtime rates will
be applied.
They also have higher entry routes and advanced roles that pay in the 40K bracket basic + the aforementioned extras and might be more suitable for you.
Specifically the GCSE entry route at Western Power. Applications for the scheme opens in December, if you're successful you'll start September 2018. I've made some friends at track days who work for them, and this is the most enthusiastic and excited I've been for years about career opportunities.
I pinched this from their FAQ:
Year 1 £12,456
Year 2 £14,073*
On successful completion of the formal elements of the training, apprentices will move to a development role with
an experienced craftsperson. In this role you will be paid £25,415.
You will receive regular assessments in this development role and once assessed to be competent, you will be appointed as a Craftsperson with annual incremental progression, subject to satisfactory performance, up to
£32,548.
You will be required to undertake out-of-hours standby duties for which standby payments and overtime rates will
be applied.
- Apprentices over 21 will receive an increase in year 2 inline with the minimum wage.
They also have higher entry routes and advanced roles that pay in the 40K bracket basic + the aforementioned extras and might be more suitable for you.
A bloke I know is going into this. It has taken him about 4 years to get there, as he has trained part time alongside working a full-time job. He has combined part time/evening study with working for a local electrician to get his apprenticeship done.
Now he is fully qualified, registered to a competent person scheme, etc. and is in the process of renovating his own house as well as doing work in his spare time. Next year he aims to quit his current job (IT) and go self enployed.
Can’t see him being out of work; he is busy enough now doing the odd jobs on the side here and there and that’s without trying to find work.
Now he is fully qualified, registered to a competent person scheme, etc. and is in the process of renovating his own house as well as doing work in his spare time. Next year he aims to quit his current job (IT) and go self enployed.
Can’t see him being out of work; he is busy enough now doing the odd jobs on the side here and there and that’s without trying to find work.
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