The Zohan

I am sick of the industry that i am in and want an change and a profession.

Many years ago i helped rewire a industrial unit and quite enjoyed it. I have fitted lights and sockets, etc in the past - not that that qualifies me.

Ok then, for a basic level (I suupose that is waht i an after as i know little) - being able to go rewire domestic properties, etc what will i need to do course wise and how long will it take.

I have a full time job to pay the bills so will need to fit it in around this.

What will i need to do?
How long should it take?
What sort of money does a electrician earn - per day i suppose?

Any help or advice gratefully received.

Paul

boxst

I have no idea, but you can look here: New Career Skills - Electrician Courses - Electrical Courses - Plumbing Courses - Plumber Courses - Career Change - Changing Career

Steve

PaulC72

Paul, what do you do now?

Curious as to if there may be a sidewards step in the industry you are currently in rather than a complete career change...although I have often thought of what else I could be doing if things went bad....

Jamescsti

Often thought I wish I went into a trade, when I was at school they pushed everyone towards uni, with the "less talented" kids towards apprenticeships, look who's laughing now!

I have mates/family in all walks of the building trade and my mate really making money at the moment is a plasterer all the others seem to be struggling

Clarebabes

Look at Moulton College or Tresham Institute in our neck of the woods. Shame you're not a few years younger because getting an apprenticeship at your age is going to be impossible. It's bad enough for the kids I work with!

mad555

iTrader: (1)

With the current trend in the construction industry I would look at other options.

JimmyBFC

Not at all, plumbers, sparkies and gasmen etc will always be in demand, more so sparkies than other trades, my mate can fit alarms, outside lights, showers, and loads of other bits and bobs, and of course, the bigger jobs like re-wires etc (which can be dirty and tedious btw) - providing you get the right qualification, sparkies can make a lot of money doing bits on the side.

PaulC72

I would agree things are getting a little tight

JimmyBFC

I actually wish id gone towards being an electrician instead of on the gas, kinda cornered myself tbh with the variety of jobs I can do.

mad555

iTrader: (1)

Sparky myself mate,I do everything from alarm systems through to 3 Phase installations and domestic,commerical and industrial contracts.So you can get a good variety of work,but at the minute I know sparks who have worked on sites that the work has now stopped on due to nobody buying house's that are desperate for work,and I believe the worst haas yet to come and by Easter next year things will be alot worse.As for your age we had a guy at 38 serve his apprenticeship with us 5 years ago and was keener than most school leavers.

kingofturds

iTrader: (1)

Depends, if you just want to be a house basher then you could be good to go in 12 months. With the construction industry going down the khaiser however, you may want to take the 3 phase or high voltage route.

You will need your 17th edition and part p before they let you loose on anything though.

nixxon

Or just specialise in security wiring- alarms, close circuit, that sort of thing. Even , nay, especially in e recession, you're in demand. Just get a De-Walt, an aluminium case, and a staffie in the van- you're laughing!

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

Very true, people who have been doing it for years now are struggling to find work. You would stand out a mile as a newly trained electrician and therefore may find it even harder to get work.

stupidscooby

Im in my second year at college now, the course these days is 3 years long. At my college you can't do an NVQ3 if you are over 25 though. An NVQ3 is basically a portfolio you build up of all the jobs you do. These days you need a NVQ3 and an AM2 to be a qualified JIB sparky. However if you do manage to get a job as an apprentice you could always go back to college 1 day a month to show off your portfolio and get it signed off.
You tend to find the older students are far more mature and often do well because they pay attention when in class as they obviously do not work out on site so pay more attention in class. In my class there are a chef, gardener and care home nurse.
The basic 3 year course is broken up into 8 units which consist of 3 practical exams and 4 online multiple choice exams and 1 written exam. If you pass all the exams you are usually graded as a senior graded trainee. To gain full sparky status you need an NVQ3 and AM2. To become an approved electrician you need 2391 testing inspection qualification. Its not easy but well worth the money. Go on the Joint Industry Website (JIB) for typical rates of pay

fast bloke

Are you 'handy' with your paws? I've always had a sideline as a handyman. It used to be for beer tokens, but the mortgage market isn't what it was. You should be able to make 30 quid an hour for basic stuff and you can sub the stuff that you can't do

StickyMicky

i know a few people in electrics at the moment and they are struggling like hell

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Funny huh !

£834 quote for a double socket !

So I offered to plug in a 4-way extension and hide the wires in some pretty trunking !

£800 saved !

LOL

DunxC

P.S. That's at work, and H&S compliant !

LG John

Agree, a big regret of mines as well! A lot of my mates that left school at 16/17 are earning more than my uni friends and crucially earned for 5-7 years when my uni friends were doing 5th-6th year then 4-5y of uni. As a result they are higher up the property ladder, etc.

stupidscooby

To bloody right. Im 21 and own my own 3 bedroom house with my partner. Some of my mates decided on uni and cant get a job that pays more than 18k a year and all live at home with their parents.