Can I retrain as an electrician?
Discussion
Just wanting a bit of advice from those who might have a better idea than me... Apologies for the length of the post!
I've just relocated to London and want to change direction a bit, ideally retraining as an electrician - though I'd consider carpentry/joinery and possibly plumbing.
Apprenticeships seem a bit thin on the ground and I've been knocked back for a couple, not sure if my age (30) is a factor in this. I was told from one agency that they have been receiving very high numbers of applicants, many of whom have industry qualifications and/or experience. Seems a bit odd that they'd be going for an apprenticeship in that case?
My backup idea was to work as an electrician's mate, get a bit of experience and money and put myself through the courses, though the agencies I've spoken to have no work for a mate and this morning I spoke to a woman at the Jobcentre and she said that there is very little of that work around at the minute as the electricians are all doing the work themselves.
To give a bit of background, I worked in retail banking doing a variety of jobs until 4 years ago, since then I've been restoring classic cars with my dad. In this time I've taught myself a number of transferrable skills and I've also had a year of on/off work with a builder doing general labouring so I do have some site experience. I'm pretty good with electrics and woodwork considering I've had no training, almost everything I know has been self taught or bits I've picked up from my dad.
I appreciate I'm going to have to start from the bottom pretty much but I'd rather do that and enjoy what I'm doing than go back into an office job I'll be uninspired in for more money.
Is it realistic for me to be able to get into the industry though or should I have a rethink? Any pointers or advice greatly appreciated.
I've just relocated to London and want to change direction a bit, ideally retraining as an electrician - though I'd consider carpentry/joinery and possibly plumbing.
Apprenticeships seem a bit thin on the ground and I've been knocked back for a couple, not sure if my age (30) is a factor in this. I was told from one agency that they have been receiving very high numbers of applicants, many of whom have industry qualifications and/or experience. Seems a bit odd that they'd be going for an apprenticeship in that case?
My backup idea was to work as an electrician's mate, get a bit of experience and money and put myself through the courses, though the agencies I've spoken to have no work for a mate and this morning I spoke to a woman at the Jobcentre and she said that there is very little of that work around at the minute as the electricians are all doing the work themselves.
To give a bit of background, I worked in retail banking doing a variety of jobs until 4 years ago, since then I've been restoring classic cars with my dad. In this time I've taught myself a number of transferrable skills and I've also had a year of on/off work with a builder doing general labouring so I do have some site experience. I'm pretty good with electrics and woodwork considering I've had no training, almost everything I know has been self taught or bits I've picked up from my dad.
I appreciate I'm going to have to start from the bottom pretty much but I'd rather do that and enjoy what I'm doing than go back into an office job I'll be uninspired in for more money.
Is it realistic for me to be able to get into the industry though or should I have a rethink? Any pointers or advice greatly appreciated.
Hi Toastboy, if i was you i would look into bricklaying general building. This route enables you to build extensions etc. currently there's an over supply of electricians/plumbers due to the fast track courses and pay now reflects this. Joiners can earn good money as can gas engineers but from 2017 there will be no gas in new builds so maybe not a good long term thing.
caterhamboy said:
Joiners can earn good money as can gas engineers but from 2017 there will be no gas in new builds so maybe not a good long term thing.
So no more gas fires/cookers etc in any houses flats etc built from them ?Do you have a link to the info?
I suppose it will help houses stop blowing up and lead to less utilities messing up the roads in future ?
Experience is always key in the construction industry but having qualifications is also a bonus , you say you've been labouring for someone, could they take you on and go to collage at night? the construction industry is right on the edge of a boom so getting in with a firm in London shouldn't be a problem.
speedyguy said:
caterhamboy said:
Joiners can earn good money as can gas engineers but from 2017 there will be no gas in new builds so maybe not a good long term thing.
So no more gas fires/cookers etc in any houses flats etc built from them ?Do you have a link to the info?
I suppose it will help houses stop blowing up and lead to less utilities messing up the roads in future ?
caterhamboy said:
Experience is always key in the construction industry but having qualifications is also a bonus , you say you've been labouring for someone, could they take you on and go to collage at night? the construction industry is right on the edge of a boom so getting in with a firm in London shouldn't be a problem.
Unfortunately the guy I was working for was in Newcastle and I don't have any contacts yet in London. Putting feelers out and trying to get a firm to work for but I'm starting from scratch at the minute. My current plan is to just get work labouring and see if I can make some contacts in the industry. hidetheelephants said:
speedyguy said:
caterhamboy said:
Joiners can earn good money as can gas engineers but from 2017 there will be no gas in new builds so maybe not a good long term thing.
So no more gas fires/cookers etc in any houses flats etc built from them ?Do you have a link to the info?
I suppose it will help houses stop blowing up and lead to less utilities messing up the roads in future ?
toast boy said:
Unfortunately the guy I was working for was in Newcastle and I don't have any contacts yet in London. Putting feelers out and trying to get a firm to work for but I'm starting from scratch at the minute. My current plan is to just get work labouring and see if I can make some contacts in the industry.
As i said the construction industry is just about to boom if not already so try and start out labouring for a biggish firm and prove yourself and you should make lots of contacts and go far. Also there's lots of different directions in yrs to come, site manager, qs, structural engineer if you want to go to uni etc. caterhamboy said:
site manager, qs, structural engineer if you want to go to uni etc.
No need to go to uni anymore for these (the Site Manager role atleast). I found this out the hard and frustrating way. Working full time as a bricklayer i enrolled in 2005 on a project management degree. Graduated 4 years later, went to renew my CSCS card....'sorry we dont recognise degrees anymore as a required qualification, It has to be an NVQ' Ended up sorting out an level 7 NVQ which you can do from home + on site and has to be done within two years just to get the black site managers card.
Just to add the degree came in at approx £10k and the NVQ at £2700. Which ever route you take make sure you are absolutely clear beforehand of any potential f
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