another career change thread... sorry

[thereof]

Hi all, apologies for another thread, I've done a search of the site and there's loads of info on here, but I'm finding bits here there and everywhere so thought id ask in relation to my situation.
I'm looking to leave my current employment, which is well paid, but I've had enough. I'm looking to go down the electrician route as I want a trade, always have done, but didn't do it when I left school. I'm now 35. becoming an electrician is something ive always been interested in, I really enjoy hands on stuff, and don't really fancy plumbing. its also something that will help me in a long term goal for a business id like to have one day.

Ive read a lot of different things about intensive courses vs college courses. ive looked at 2 college courses near me, starting in September, and applied for them. one is city and guilds, 1 day a week and will be 2 years for level 3 and another 2 years for level 3. the other is an EAL course, but 1 year for level 2 and 18 months for level 3. are city and guilds qualifications better, or is it much of a muchness? The 2.5 year course suits me better time wise, as if I'm where I am for another 4 years, I might murder someone, just wondering if the city and guilds holds more weight. id also be looking to do the level 3 NVQ and AM2 qualifications afterwards.

obviously the intensive courses cost more, and are intense, so a lot of information to process. but I am pretty good at maths, hands on experience working with cars and fixing stuff, various DIY, and I learn quickly. I'm also well aware that hands on experience is worth 10 times class room experience, and would be looking to get experience before jumping into anything, working for free and with mates or mates of mates to learn. but ultimately, would an intensive course be detrimental to me going forward, ie peoples opinions of me? Id be looking to go solo eventually.

cheers for your help

 

[pc1966]

I know a guy who retired from the police around 50 when Scotland decided to make a single country-wide force that sadly inherited the worst of the traits from the bigger forces. He got bored soon, but as a former traffic cop got involved in doing some sort of vehicle testing down south and more recently driving ambulances, etc.

But you would be wise not to wait till you are 50 to make any move!

 

[Mike Johnson]

Most of us on here have never had the opportunity of a job for life and have struggled against all odds to make ends meet, I wish you well in the future, but urge you to consider where you are going with this, out in the real world it's different/difficult this is the same advice I and many others would give to anyone in the enviable positions of job security.

 

[thereof]

Appreciate that mate, but Ive spent a lot of time thinking about it, and to be honest, ive been unhappy doing it for a while. Its got far worse in the time ive been there, and is only going to get worse. If i was closer to retirement, id consider fighting through it, but im some way off.
Job security is great, but not worth being miserable for

 

[thereof]

So ive Found a C&G course at a college starting in september, twice a week for a year. Perfect for me, bit further To travel, but it’s going to be the right one for me.
had a call back from one of the trades colleges earlier. Thetradescollege.com Was very strange, asked me why I was looking to leave my current job a lot, about my partner etc. was initially told a phone call but then requested a video call. didnt do this as wasn’t all that happy with the surprise. Went on to tell me that they had loads of people looking for a few courses, dismissed any college courses as they apparently don’t include, reg 18, Patp and inspecting and testing. these bits seem to be quite short courses from what I’ve seen so not a major deal. Then he said that There are 2 different nvqs out there, one for domestic and one for commercial, this isn’t something I’ve come across while researching?? And couldn’t find anything when I specifically searched for it.
overall it wasnt a comfortable conversation. I don’t think I came over particularly interested at the end, but he still offered to calol me again Monday for the video call to show me some stuff, which I found strange as there are so many people interested apparently

 

[Mariusz5512]

Hi, im in quiet same situationas the autohor of thussubject. Can anyone help me with the Scotland area. I want to move there and work as a domestic electrician. What kind of qulifications do I need . I might start as a electrician mate . I was thinkingabout doing .tradeskills4u course and cscs card. will that be enough ?