A rock and a hard place, how to train later in life?

[Kraig]

Hi

I have a load of questions about training, this seemed like a good place to ask.

I'm thinking of dumping my current career. Having completed a house renovation it turns out I quite like electrics. The problem is as far as I can tell if you want a proper career as an electrician you have to start at the bottom, with an apprenticeship, which pays peanuts. Now I'm hardly Johnny big bucks earning about 30k a year but there is no way I can support my family on apprenticeship money so that is pretty much out.

Form what I have read I have a few options

A/

Do one of those 4 week courses that will give me all the paperwork I need to advertise myself as a self employed domestic installer.

That is all I could do but if I'm honest self employed domestic installation is what I was looking for anyway. I'm working on the theory that once I get started I can add to my training and knowledge and that there is going to be bucket loads of domestic work as electric cars and solar panels and all that takes off. If I can find enough local work to keep me busy most days I figure I should be able to earn similar to what I earn now. Does that sound realistic?

This route allows me to build up a local reputation (hopefully good) by taking on smaller jobs whilst maintaining my current employment; until I was in a position to take the plunge and chuck my job in for only a smallish investment.

B/

Do a 2365 part time. Level 2 & 3 together will take 4 years and cost a lot of money. I then still need to do a NVQ lv3 and pass a AM2 test and this is generally done as part of an apprenticeship.

The advantage of this is that it seems to give real options. The disadvantage is it takes ages and I would need to stay in other employment for this time.

Is there anyway to get the NVQ and AM2 whilst maintaining a fulltime job in a different industry or basically without having to earn apprentice money? How long should this bit take?

and lastly a few more questions

What is JIB anyway and what is NICEIC and are they the same thing.
Are there any other routes into the profession?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Pete999]

pete. we're all on a contdown. make the most of what's left.

I will Mate I will thanks for the reminder

 

[telectrix]

a drop of good beer or red wine should be promoted by them quacks that want us to have flu jabs and such. like the dog food PAL.prolongs active life. all beer should come with that on the label as a government health promotion. alonf with the tax we all pay, could be said we're drinking for Britain.

 

[The Ghost]

I aint even got the strength to wri.......

 

[telectrix]

I aint even got the strength to wri.......

you wimp. please leave the kitchen if toy u caiaint sratand the heat.

xzcus ethe brad shellings, 4 pints olp deciuilier and sa few shotts of flamus grouuse.

wft append to schepell chek?

 

[The Ghost]

It is quite sobering to be in a position where you know you have less ahead of you than behind you.

 

[telectrix]

It is quite sobering to be in a position where you know you have less ahead of you than behind you.

yup. 70 behoind.only60 more togo. over the hill.

 

[Midwest]

I like good banter, sometimes we just lose ourselves in it.

 

[telectrix]

lost in banter or lost for words??

 

[KEV 1 N]

Some of lads where I work have started later in life, and are employed as labourers and pay for themselves to go to college. I can't imagine 4 weeks training being any good at all (considering an apprenticeship takes 4-5 years!) plus with domestic installer only, you'll be limited to...well domestic but won't be able to work on commercial (shops, cafes etc or 3phase). Plus fault finding, even with domestic installations requires a good knowledge of wiring methods, being able to test and interpret the readings.

 

[telectrix]

Some of lads where I work have started later in life, and are employed as labourers and pay for themselves to go to college. I can't imagine 4 weeks training being any good at all (considering an apprenticeship takes 4-5 years!) plus with domestic installer only, you'll be limited to...well domestic but won't be able to work on commercial (shops, cafes etc or 3phase). Plus fault finding, even with domestic installations requires a good knowledge of wiring methods, being able to test and interpret the readings.

agree. it's not just the theory. it's the practical knowledge, esp. fault finding.

like a job i was on last week. charged him £60. £10 for hitting the motor with a hammer. £50 for knowing where to hit it.

 

[paul291277]

Kraig: Did my C&G 2365 lvl 2 for about £1500 and took me about a year at night school whilst in my previous vocation and walked straight into a job at about £30k as an Electrical Improver; have since done my C&G 2365 lvl 3 (with a government loan called 24+, Google it!) and 17th Edition (£350), which took another 15 months and now earn significantly more than £30k working on commercial and industrial sites. I have no interest in the NVQ3 or AM2 as these seem to be set up as qualifications for the JIB Gold Card which is a requirement to work as a qualified electrician on certain construction sites. My intention is to set up my own business doing domestic electrical work and I visit this site several times daily as I have learned so much more from the experienced members on here than I did in college.

It's achievable, but please forget about a 4 week course,

Good Luck!

 

[FatAlan]

What are you old geezers going on about. I'm the wrong side of 50 and just played two squash matches in one evening! Remember playing a match in my 30's and getting well beaten by a guy who proceeded to tell me he had just turned 70. If you can, staying active is the key.

 

[Kraig]

Thanks Paul291277 but you done that all wrong did no-one tell you you're supposed to answer with a shitty semi patronising music video

Anyway that's exactly the sort of information I was looking to hear. I've been looking at local places that offer the 2365 lv2 all night and the costs and time seem to tally up to what your saying (except the local place that seems to want 1400 a year/2 days a week for 2 years! but I might call them tomorrow as I now suspect that's a mistake) Its great to find out there's a possibility of matching my wage and continuing to train after such a short time span as well.

To everyone that offered helpful commentary, thank you. If anyone has any further input I'm more than happy to read it.

 

[paul291277]

Did both my lvl 2&3 at West Herts College for (officially) 18:30-21:00 (realistically) 18:30-20:00, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. It played hell with my lack of Champions league viewing but was well worth it Must repeat again about the 24+loan from gov.uk, was easy to apply for, no credit check and despite letting HMRC know about it on tax returns for the past couple of years, I don't think I've paid a penny back on it yet

 

[Midwest]

lost in banter or lost for words??

Nope, just Biding My Time