How do i become an electrician?

[dabofoppo]

Hi guys. Im quite interested in becoming an electrician but i think im too old for an apprenticeship (im 21). Is there any other way i could do it? like college or something?.

Cheers.

[KingNothing]

You're not old enough for an apprenticeship, it all depends if you could stand with being on really crap money for a while, while doing an apprenticeship.

[Stu R]

KingNothing said:

You're not old enough for an apprenticeship, it all depends if you could stand with being on really crap money for a while, while doing an apprenticeship.

Or pay through the nose for intensive retraining courses.

[dabofoppo]

I was told by the jobcenter last year i was too old what is the age limit? is there one? Thanks for the help so far.

[Robb F]

dabofoppo said:

I was told by the jobcenter last year i was too old what is the age limit? is there one? Thanks for the help so far.

There is no age limit for apprenticeships, only a cut off when the government stops paying for a % of the fees.

[dabofoppo]

Robb F said:

There is no age limit for apprenticeships, only a cut off when the government stops paying for a % of the fees.

Thanks.

My local colleges all seem to offer NC electrical engineering does anyone know if that would help?

[KingNothing]

Doing a National Certificate in electrical engineering, is quite a different qualification, for being an electrician. If we're talking about actual installation electricians, or sparky's, NVQ's in electrical installation, are more useful, as well as 17th edition courses, and part p courses. Have a scope around for local companies offering apprenticeships.

[CharlieHotel]

I believe apprenticeships are for 16-19 year olds. This is when the government pay for your courses and a company take you on but pay you a low wage.
Now that you are older than 19 you would have to show the company somehow that you're in it for the long haul because the company would have to pay your learning fees if you didn't, otherwise they could take on a 16 year old with only paying them £80 etc a week.

[Xtype]

speak to your local college, the course is changing next year so I am not sure what the new one is called, but you can do evening school twice a week for 3 years whilst staying in your current full time employment.

the phased out course is the C&G 2330 level 2 for 2 years.
one year C&G 2330 Level 3 for 1 year
17th edition wire regs, its about 4 days.

Edited by Xtype on Friday 23 December 13:28

[PaulG40]

There's a couple of contractor lads at my work doing installation work for us who I reckon are about 23-26 and they are sort of apprentices and being put through their 17th Edn and Part Ps by the company. Serco I think the company?

[Xtype]

PaulG40 said:

There's a couple of contractor lads at my work doing installation work for us who I reckon are about 23-26 and they are sort of apprentices and being put through their 17th Edn and Part Ps by the company. Serco I think the company?

what qualifications do they hold?

[MonkeyHanger]

21 is not too old, although it is true that the funding companies get is lower once you get past 19/20 or thereabouts.

I would suggest your "easiest" way into an Apprenticsehip at that age is via a Housing Association or Local Authority.

I work for a HA and our last few Apprentices have all been 18+.

[dabofoppo]

Cheers guys .