Advice Please - Part Time Career as Electrician?

[sce7gk]

Hi Guys,

This is my first post on this forum, many thanks in advance for any advice you might be able to offer!

I work full time as a FireFighter and I have been considering or some time what I should/could do to supplement my income.

I have a wedding not to far in the future and a child probably(hopefully) wont be too far behind so I need to start planning for the future.

While I don't have much practical experience with electrics, I do have a basic grasp of the theory and I have a background in Mechanical Engineering (Masters degree) so I think the career will quite suit my logical mindset.

I have been looking at the Complete Domestic Installer courses offered by companies such as Able Skills.
Complete Domestic Installers Course

My ideal scenario once qualified would be to work for 1 or 2 days per week and earn in the region of £100-£300 per week, does this seem realistic?

Im not looking to earn a quick buck but would just like to train in a skill that I would find satisfying and offers long term prospects for reasonable earnings.

I am quite confident that I could setup my own website and drum up some business, as well as getting work through friends in the building trade but will a course such as that offered by able skills put me in a position to start working on Domestic Installations & Testing straight away?

I would of course only aim to take on small jobs at the start and build up as my confidence grows.

I understand that courses may cost in the region of £2000 and there will be equipment & books to purchase on top of that but I still feel that it would be a worthwhile investment, even if only for a couple of days work per week.

Any advice greatly appreciated

Gavin

 

[Johno]

Personally I found that to be competent (or what I consider to be) took me about 4-5 years and still experience is gained everyday. Though I know the common myth exists of a quickish course and a license to print money this is simply not true.

 

[sce7gk]

Hi johno, thanks for the reply.

I totally understand that to learn the industry fully would take years and years of experience.

I guess what I am asking is, would such a course leave the student in a position to confidently undertake small domestic jobs such as extending circuits, installing new sockets or lighting fittings, and confidently testing and verifying those small changes.

If so, I guessed there might be the opportunity to start with such undertakings and then only move onto more complicated work as experience grows.

In no way do I assume it's a licence to print money but can small earnings be confidently made from small jobs straight from the course?

 

[Sparky Ninja]

Hi there Gavin,

If you are looking to be in a position to earn extra income straight away then this direction is probably the best option. It would probably be a good idea if you can arrange to meet up with some electricians who have been trading for a few years to maybe offer some on site experience if possible.
You may also want to consider doing the 2377 and setting up your own little PAT setup. The work might not excite everybody, but if you can find the clientel then all is well.
I used to be retained. But £6.50 ph to go into burning buildings was a no brainer

 

[malcolmsanford]

Hi Gavin I'm not a pee on your parade person but have a good long think about this. Apart from the get qualified quick courses which can run into thousands, it's what comes next tools hand and power, test equipment, member of a qualified scheme, insurance, transpoort, material etc etc the list is endless.

Most successful self employed sparks have years of experience behind them, i've been doing this for ..well too many years and still learning.

I'm afraid the days really for guys like yourself are coming to an end. Regulation in the industry have made this type of part time career virtually impossible to succeed. I wish you weel but before you lay out any money really have a good thing

 

[Burnt Fingers]

Hi Gavin - I tend to agree with malcolmsanford above there...I already have a successful comms/IT/PAT/CCTV/Consulting business but am having to retrain - its going to cost me a fortune just to add a few spurs and sockets, with registration, test gear and training alone. I'll break even in a year - but it will never earn me much as a stand alone. The things I do to keep my customers happy...