Becoming an Electrician ?
Discussion
My middle son is 22, he has a degree in Music tech, he is currently living in Bristol and working in a bar. He wants a career and he is realistic that music is probably something he can do in his spare time but unlikely to provide a career.
So, he has been thinking that he should get a trade and being an Electrician has stood out as his preference, though he isnt averse to other suggestions, he is fairly technically savvy.
Going to give him every assistance to get him there so after suggestions of how to proceed, have said he needs to pass his driving test and I will help with that, would be difficult going on the bus to jobs !
So, after any suggestions of how to proceed from now to him being a qualified spark ?
My thinking is that electricians will always be in demand, especially as EV's start becoming more common and charging infrastructure is needed.
So, he has been thinking that he should get a trade and being an Electrician has stood out as his preference, though he isnt averse to other suggestions, he is fairly technically savvy.
Going to give him every assistance to get him there so after suggestions of how to proceed, have said he needs to pass his driving test and I will help with that, would be difficult going on the bus to jobs !
So, after any suggestions of how to proceed from now to him being a qualified spark ?
My thinking is that electricians will always be in demand, especially as EV's start becoming more common and charging infrastructure is needed.
My lad studied Electrical Installation at College on the premise of there being demand for such services and an abundance of apprenticeship opportunities. He blitzed the course subjects but couldn't get any apprentice positions because the demand for spaces was too high. Those that were offered were too far removed from what he wanted to do or too far away to be a realistic option.
We were told that this is a 'south-east' issue (we live in mid-Essex) so may be different in the South West. At 22, your son's probably too old to go the apprentice route so a case of trainee with college thrown in.
My son abandoned the Sparky route and trained to become a Personal Trainer; in which he is doing remarkably well!
Best of luck.
We were told that this is a 'south-east' issue (we live in mid-Essex) so may be different in the South West. At 22, your son's probably too old to go the apprentice route so a case of trainee with college thrown in.
My son abandoned the Sparky route and trained to become a Personal Trainer; in which he is doing remarkably well!
Best of luck.
Don't do it. Too much legislation/over supply of labour is driving the cost down to a point that sparks aren't earning well at all.
Add to that, the cost of tools, the cost of keeping the tools calibrated, the annual running costs of the van, the annual cost of 3rd party membership to sign work off, the constant cost to stay up to date with regulations (18th edition).
£200 a day sounds nice ish but not when that's based on a 10hr day excluding the 1/1,.5hr commute each way.
Im a qualified spark but have stayed in the fire and security sector. Better pay and conditions.
Become a plasterer instead, better money without any of the associated outgoing costs
Add to that, the cost of tools, the cost of keeping the tools calibrated, the annual running costs of the van, the annual cost of 3rd party membership to sign work off, the constant cost to stay up to date with regulations (18th edition).
£200 a day sounds nice ish but not when that's based on a 10hr day excluding the 1/1,.5hr commute each way.
Im a qualified spark but have stayed in the fire and security sector. Better pay and conditions.
Become a plasterer instead, better money without any of the associated outgoing costs
My advice is to train as an electrician, get some qualifications and experience then specialise in a particular field where you can earn some decent money. As above fire and security, automation systems, etc If he's keen on music and tech etc then look at AV installation, music systems and video systems, loads of work out there if you're keen.
One thing to note, being an electrician is not just connecting up pretty coloured cables. He'll need to be working on dirty building sites, pulling in miles of cables, chasing out walls, drilling out joists, crawling through hot, sweaty, dirty lofts and damp cellars.
One thing to note, being an electrician is not just connecting up pretty coloured cables. He'll need to be working on dirty building sites, pulling in miles of cables, chasing out walls, drilling out joists, crawling through hot, sweaty, dirty lofts and damp cellars.
megaphone said:
My advice is to train as an electrician, get some qualifications and experience then specialise in a particular field where you can earn some decent money. As above fire and security, automation systems, etc If he's keen on music and tech etc then look at AV installation, music systems and video systems, loads of work out there if you're keen.
One thing to note, being an electrician is not just connecting up pretty coloured cables. He'll need to be working on dirty building sites, pulling in miles of cables, chasing out walls, drilling out joists, crawling through hot, sweaty, dirty lofts and damp cellars.
I'd second this.One thing to note, being an electrician is not just connecting up pretty coloured cables. He'll need to be working on dirty building sites, pulling in miles of cables, chasing out walls, drilling out joists, crawling through hot, sweaty, dirty lofts and damp cellars.
It's the route I took and I couldn't be happier.
Trained as an electrician, I did then join the military as an 'electrical engineer' (posh sparky with some added extra bits).
When I left I moved into the automation field.
Did a few years in maintenance/install and have progressed into the IT side of it without qualifications earning double what I thought I'd ever get as a sparky.
If I could go back, I'd skip the military bit and get straight into automation at a younger age.
The money is far better than an average employed sparky, there are opportunities to travel the world if that's your thing with most roles and if you plan ahead a bit once you know where your skillset lies you'll find a job for life with a great salary and other benefits.
On a similar vein but more relevant to his current knowledge, can he get into doing installs for PAs (sound systems) for venues and recording studios? my mates brother does that. So its some practical work including wiring, and some music related system design etc.
Also it would keep him in the music business and he could perhaps branch out into things like being a systems tech, sound engineer etc.
Also it would keep him in the music business and he could perhaps branch out into things like being a systems tech, sound engineer etc.
Zoon said:
Royce44 said:
Don't do it. Too much legislation/over supply of labour is driving the cost down to a point that sparks aren't earning well at all.
An electrician associate of mine has just bought a GLC 63S, he must have a sideline going. 
There’s more opportunities beyond construction. BIL wires up factories, power plants, alternative energy thingies etc etc. My son started in electrical engineering & is now a civil aircraft technician. A friends son sets up sound & lighting on stages for touring rock bands, he just emigrated to the US. All are electrical engineers & all earn very well.
He is never to old for an apprenticeship.
Tell him to look at the likes of NG Bailey, network rail, western power. I know lads that have started apprenticeship 25+.
There is always opportunities to do engineering and becoming a foreman/running jobs.
I personally think starting in industrial/commercial is a lot better, you can always go into house bashing.
House bashers, who come to site general don’t know how to cut trunking, install brackets, install basket and conduit. (Not everyone)
Like people have said, if he looks at industrial he won’t be connecting up sockets all day long.
90% is a lot of metal work and install.
I also know loads of lads working for themselves now, they are earning good money and enjoying life.
It’s all about how much you want it.
He could also look into coms, decent money and there is a huge demand.
But is he prepared to be outside on a roof in the rain?
Working on a mewp in the middle of winter.
Is he okay with heights?
Working away from home for months/years.
Getting up at 5, to get to site on time?
A word of warning, people on site are quite a odd bunch, so it he can handle banter personal and jokes. He should be fine.
Also is it something he definitely wants? It kinda sounds to me you’re pushing him to go for it.
Tell him to look at the likes of NG Bailey, network rail, western power. I know lads that have started apprenticeship 25+.
There is always opportunities to do engineering and becoming a foreman/running jobs.
I personally think starting in industrial/commercial is a lot better, you can always go into house bashing.
House bashers, who come to site general don’t know how to cut trunking, install brackets, install basket and conduit. (Not everyone)
Like people have said, if he looks at industrial he won’t be connecting up sockets all day long.
90% is a lot of metal work and install.
I also know loads of lads working for themselves now, they are earning good money and enjoying life.
It’s all about how much you want it.
He could also look into coms, decent money and there is a huge demand.
But is he prepared to be outside on a roof in the rain?
Working on a mewp in the middle of winter.
Is he okay with heights?
Working away from home for months/years.
Getting up at 5, to get to site on time?
A word of warning, people on site are quite a odd bunch, so it he can handle banter personal and jokes. He should be fine.
Also is it something he definitely wants? It kinda sounds to me you’re pushing him to go for it.
Ships electrical, or electro/tech officer would be a good career choice. There are loads of companies offering cadetships in this field. Training on the job and earning from day one.
https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/supporting-seafarer...
https://www.chilternmaritime.com/maritime-cadetshi...
https://www.clydemarinetraining.com/merchant-navy-...
https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/supporting-seafarer...
https://www.chilternmaritime.com/maritime-cadetshi...
https://www.clydemarinetraining.com/merchant-navy-...
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