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user1012

Hi,

Any advice would be great about what to next in my situation.Im 29, I got some work experience, but nothing electrical and not that much.I have a Btec level 3 in Electrical Engineering with almost top marks overall.Now im at a crossroads so to speak of what to do next career wise.I really want to do something electrical or electronic that uses that qualification but not sure what options are open to me so thought ill ask you an electrician.

Is becoming an electrician at all feesable for me considering my age ? If so what route would you advise me taking ?

What sorts of job roles should I be looking at that uses the Btec qualification that I have ?

Thanks for your time
 
Hi,

I'd suggest that you'll probably need to do more studying whichever route you take, but this can be whilst you work on a day release basis.

If you want hands-on work write to some electrical companies near to you and say you're interested as work as an apprentice/mate and that you want to do the full electrical qualification. Don't try to take the easy route of "Domestic Installer" as it will cost you far more in the long run.

If you want to be office based, look out for jobs with consultancies or local authorities. They may sponsor you to do a HND or degree part time.
 
Try and get a job as an electricians mate, go to night college an do your City and guilds 2365 level 2 and 3 whilst gaining experience working and then do your NVQlevel 3 2356-99 and to complete this NVQ you will also do your AM2 test. Stay away from any quick course that doesn't provide you with proper qualifications/experience as most are just out for your money and will tell you want to hear.
 
Will it be a problem for me to find an electrician company that will be prepared to take me on as an apprentice as I'm old at 29 ?

As I'm 29 what would I have to fund my self in terms of training up costs etc ?

@impeededloop what job titles should I be looking at when finding a job that may sponsor me to do a HND or degree part time ?
 
Will it be a problem for me to find an electrician company that will be prepared to take me on as an apprentice as I'm old at 29 ?

As I'm 29 what would I have to fund my self in terms of training up costs etc ?

@impeededloop what job titles should I be looking at when finding a job that may sponsor me to do a HND or degree part time ?

Probably. Best route for you is sit the ECS test and get a 'labourer' card from JIB.

Register as self employed and get CIS number.

Register with agencies and contact electrical firms offering to work as a sub-contractor.

Enrol on City and Guilds evening course at local college.

This way you will get the experience you need whilst learning the underpinning knowledge and qualifications.
 
Probably. Best route for you is sit the ECS test and get a 'labourer' card from JIB.

Register as self employed and get CIS number.

Register with agencies and contact electrical firms offering to work as a sub-contractor.

Enrol on City and Guilds evening course at local college.

This way you will get the experience you need whilst learning the underpinning knowledge and qualifications.

This is good advice, pretty much what i done..i started college when i was 26.few years later nearly finished my NVQ and fully qualified. When you get a job on site be prepared to work hard, be polite, show interest and other sparks will be more willing to help you..Good luck!
 
@impeededloop what job titles should I be looking at when finding a job that may sponsor me to do a HND or degree part time ?

Look for local building services consultancies or local authorities. Jobs such as Junior Electrical Engineer or Electrical Officer would be the type of thing to look for. With consultancies, don't be afraid to contact them and show interest.

I hope this helps.
 
I don't have any experience of being self employed or dealing with the mechanics of it.How difficult is that route of becoming an electrician by using the self employed method described early in this thread ?
How much would it roughly cost me in total in college course fees ?


@impeededloop
Regarding what you said about looking at consultancies or local authorities is this at all feesable considering my age,little work experience and none in that field of work ?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
*Bump*

Does anyone know any companies or agencies or organizations I can contact to get information about how to become an electrician? I'm near Newbury, West Berks.

Ive looked for jobs such as junior electrical engineer but they mainly require a HNC at a minimum which is like 5 grand to do at college.

Thanks
 
So what are you doing at the moment, are you in the electrical/electronic industry even if remotely?? Can't understand those that spent time and effort gaining meaningful qualifications and then just discarding them, probably to chase the quick buck!!

You are now finding yourself in a catch 22 situation, family and mortgage to maintain, holding a qualification you haven't maintained, wanting to basically almost start from scratch but without the means to fund the kick start.... It's going to be a hard road of night school and/or low paid mate site work, are you prepared or even able to put the time and effort as well as the lower income, in order the achieve your ambition??
 
Hi,

Any advice would be great about what to next in my situation.Im 29, I got some work experience, but nothing electrical and not that much.I have a Btec level 3 in Electrical Engineering with almost top marks overall.Now im at a crossroads so to speak of what to do next career wise.I really want to do something electrical or electronic that uses that qualification but not sure what options are open to me so thought ill ask you an electrician.

Is becoming an electrician at all feesable for me considering my age ? If so what route would you advise me taking ?

What sorts of job roles should I be looking at that uses the Btec qualification that I have ?

Thanks for your time


What modules did you do in your btec??

I only ask as they may be more suited to an industrial maintenance type role rather than electrical installation.
 
  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Mathematics for Engineering Technicians [/FONT]

  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Electrical and Electronic Principles [/FONT]

  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Principles and Applications of Electronic Devices and Circuits [/FONT]

  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Electronic Circuit Design and Manufacture [/FONT]

  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Principles and Applications of Analogue Electronics[/FONT]

  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Microprocessor Systems and Applications[/FONT]

  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Electronic Fault-Finding[/FONT]

  • [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Further Electrical Principles [/FONT]

    Here are some of them.
 
Hi,

Any advice would be great about what to next in my situation.Im 29, I got some work experience, but nothing electrical and not that much.I have a Btec level 3 in Electrical Engineering with almost top marks overall.Now im at a crossroads so to speak of what to do next career wise.I really want to do something electrical or electronic that uses that qualification but not sure what options are open to me so thought ill ask you an electrician.

Is becoming an electrician at all feesable for me considering my age ? If so what route would you advise me taking ?

What sorts of job roles should I be looking at that uses the Btec qualification that I have ?

Thanks for your time



Plumbing and heating - definitely - with a bit of leccy thrown in so's you know how to wire your boiler controls properly without having to ask the clowns on here!! :joker::jester:
 

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