Advice needed

[jack-b87]

Evening all, this is my first post so go easy on me.
Ive been working on domestic installations for the past four years and tbh dont enjoy it anymore so im looking for a change in direction.
Id like to get into industrial, perhaps maintenance engineer as there always seems to be plenty of vacancies online. If any maintenance engineers are reading, how did you get into it as i only ever see adverts for experienced engineers and there posted via agencies so dont know how to send my cv direct?
I live in the colchester area, have transport and C&G 2330 2&3.
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards.

 

[telectrix]

i would suggest getting your 2382 first. it's the 1st thing employers ask for usually.

 

[imago]

Most maintenance engineers come up as apprentices with a large manufaturer of one sort or another.

 

[sparky-s-w]

agree with imago, i was time served apprentice with an electrical engineering company. I went the other way though, redundancy forced me to set up on my own, now i do majority commercial/dommestic. at the minuit i enjoy what im doing, my own boss and all that. i guess the grass is always greener.

just go for it, send out your CV's and hit thoes interviews.

 

[sparky-s-w]

small point though, if your looking to get into electrical engineering you might need some experience in PLC's (fault finding etc), and motor control circuits.
and be prepared to get your hands dirty.

 

[oldtimer]

you need to learn about 3 phase distribution and equipment I served my time as an industrial commercial spark got bored moved into alarms got bored moved into BMS/HVAC controls the building maintenance now working for myself. Remember it wont land on your lap it up to you to learn and push yourself

 

[sparky-s-w]

you need to learn about 3 phase distribution and equipment I served my time as an industrial commercial spark got bored moved into alarms got bored moved into BMS/HVAC controls the building maintenance now working for myself. Remember it wont land on your lap it up to you to learn and push yourself

HV switching, scared the s*it out of me.

 

[stef]

Evening all, this is my first post so go easy on me.
Ive been working on domestic installations for the past four years and tbh dont enjoy it anymore so im looking for a change in direction.
Id like to get into industrial, perhaps maintenance engineer as there always seems to be plenty of vacancies online. If any maintenance engineers are reading, how did you get into it as i only ever see adverts for experienced engineers and there posted via agencies so dont know how to send my cv direct?
I live in the colchester area, have transport and C&G 2330 2&3.
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards.

Be prepared to work un-social hours like shifts and weekends. I used to work a 12 hour shift system ( alternating days and nights and weekends) for over 15 years and it became a killer so I chucked it in and looked for something easier, I was really lucky to find my current job which is 6 to 2 and 2 to 10, monday to friday, plenty of over time. I would never consider food industry again. However, money is very good as a maintenance techy.

 

[stef]

And the way I got into it, as imago said it above, through an apprentice ship as an electrician and then worked my way up. As mentioned by sparky-s-w and oldtimer you need to know about three phase systems and control systems, NC and PLC, everything is computer based nowadays. You need to be pretty switched on with fault finding and be prepared to work under immense pressure. And oh yes the Health and Safety stuff doesn't make life easier:6:
And you need to produce miracles, preferably yesterday, better the day before. And don't mention 'tomorrow'. And it musn't cost any money.

Apart from this, it is fun, I enjoy it.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

 

[kingeri]

I tested the water with a firm many years ago doing machine maintenance. I hated it, was always under pressure, hot, beyond dirty etc. I hated the oily smell that got stuck in the back of my nose too. I soon moved over to installation (mainly domestic) and can say it was like getting out of an elevator after someone has farted in there. For me. Just be sure you know what you would be getting into, as it can be a different world to regular house bashing!

 

[oldtimer]

I tested the water with a firm many years ago doing machine maintenance. I hated it, was always under pressure, hot, beyond dirty etc. I hated the oily smell that got stuck in the back of my nose too. I soon moved over to installation (mainly domestic) and can say it was like getting out of an elevator after someone has farted in there. For me. Just be sure you know what you would be getting into, as it can be a different world to regular house bashing!

Commercial and Industrial is a whole new ball game and it may not surprise you that there was discussions 30 years ago to have a Domestic electrician grade . I have also mentioned before that when I was in my 4th year running my own jobs I had to train up 2 what we called at the time domestic electricians or Hoose Bashers as they say up here. One guy picked up the 3 phase distribution but the other did not get it because he was insulted that a 4th year laddie was telling him what to do. I realize that Part P should have done this but now its just a mess and also when I used to manage a building and somebody says to me I am an electrician I always ask if he or she is domestic or IC not to make a fool of them but to make sure I was not dumping someone in it and one guy was honest enough to admmit it so I buddied him up with an I&C spark and told him what I expected from him down the road so no probs he did what he was told and he got the experience to boot

 

[jack-b87]

Hi, thanks for your replies. Been having trouble trying to reply to the thread. What would be the next progression form the 2330 lv3? Also if i were to get into I&C, would i have to start off as an apprentice as i only really know house bashing.
Regards