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Long story short, I've decided that Uni probably isn't for me so I've taken this time to look at an alternative. I looked into the trades and the two things that really caught my eye were Electrician and Underwater Welding/Construction. I didn't take physics due to having a bad experience in S3, however, I have always been really into building and modifying things like quadcopters, computers etc. Frankly, I think the things that worries me the most is being somewhat financially insecure in later life for one reason or another. I'm 16 by the way. Would anyone be able to give me some advice regarding this career path? Sorry if this is in the wrong forum section, didn't really know what else this fits into.

Any advice is appreciated!
yalcoung
 
What ever you decide to do, just remember that being "the apprentice" will leave you, at first, doing some of the less interesting tasks .............. but as you show interest and competence things will improve.

A decent 3-5 year apprenticeship will give you an ideal grounding, but if you intend going self employed in the future, then additional skills in design, pricing, cash flow and dealing with people are just as important.

I would say give it a go.............. what have you got to lose?
 
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I would much rather do an apprenticeship and actually get out there and start earning than sit in a classroom and get lectured, I appreciate your advice though.
The grass is always greener on the other side Mate, an Electrician used to be a status symbol, now? the trade has become somewhat jaded, I wont go into why I think that, as I have aired my thoughts on many occasions, and get some stick from time to time. Working on a site, may sound good now, but wait until winter comes along, cold and wet, freezing your crown jewels off, believe me. it's not such a good thing then.
If you have the chance to go to uni, then in my opinion take it with both hands, an Electrician can be a good proffesion, but there are better ways to use your chances, if anbecoming an Electrician is what you really wan, then by all means go for it. If you have the chance look for holiday work with an Electrician, work for free if neccessary just to get the feel of Electrical work, you are young, don't rush into things, just because of whim, good luck, sound like your Dad now don't I?
 
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I for one think being an electrician is great! Different work and challenges all the time. You get to be the know it all. I think to begin it may be hard as the learning is through repetition and hard work, and I do mean hard. I remember the various trades deciding who was the hardest man on site. Eventually the electricians got the vote as we crawl under floorboards, stoop and crawl in lofts, run up and down ladders and stairs all day. Get to work in the most difficult positions doing the most fiddly of jobs. Certainly keeps you fit. I have done a degree as well in an unrelated field. Not been much use in terms of earning money though. If you did a degree what would it be in?
I should imagine you will find electrician very different in the years to come from where I am coming from. Now at the end of my career I can pick and choose what I do and get the best jobs. I am my own boss which I love. And I really enjoy working out faults and systems. I wish my son was an electrician with me. However he is earning £150k a year doing server setting up and the such like.I don't even understand his work. You should try it if you can get some work and see if it really is for you. You are young and therefore changeable, so don't set anything in stone just yet.
 
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If you enjoy computers and the construction industry, why not try and combine the two. It has been mentioned before but try a BMS/controls engineer. It would mean more of an understanding in software engineering and can be rewarding as well as an understanding in electrical power and theory.

I tend to do more BMS jobs being a commercial spark and I personally find it more interesting. I’m not saying that an install spark is boring it just might not be for you. Best consider your options now!
 
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I would agree with @Leesparkykent 100%,

I’m in Northern Ireland and had x3 level 2 apprentices this year who got £40 a week from college plus travel money, 3 days with me and 2 days in college.

They do that for 2 years then move to level 3 for 2 years where I pay them.

The first one knew more than me and had an attitude that basically was he wasn’t going to break a sweat for £40 a week.

The next gave up once he came with me and actually seen what it was like on the job.

The third didn’t like it, and said I was good to him or he’d have been away within the first month if I’d been nasty with him.

The last 2 still hadn’t placements by the end of November, and there aren’t big numbers.

I’m considering to try and find an apprentice this year again, however I’m going to put a to the point, direct and blunt post up on the local mums group to see if anyone’s son is looking to be an electrician and would like to give it a try for a couple of weeks with possibility of getting a placement with me. No mummy’s boys or zero common sense and ability to think for themselves kids.

I’d also say that Electrical is probably the hardest trade to qualify at, and even harder to be good at multiple areas.

As Lee said, the money isn’t great, despite the idea that others think, yes some guys I know have nice houses and nice cars that give the appearance of wealth, but what folks don’t see is that his Mrs works a great job and they’ve no kids and don’t drink or smoke. Oh and then there’s the regular 7 days a week and late nights.

Oh and we definitely get the short end of the stick, other trades think we can rewire a kitchen in a couple of hours, if there’s any issues on sites it’s always the electricians fault, I like doing the work, and the variety that being self employed allows you to do, and you make a reasonable wage. But you’d make more money being a toilet repairman lol


I’ll summarise and say unless you really want to do electrics and want to learn and always learn and improve as well as have the work ethic and practical ability then you be best to consider an alternative career path.

If you do decide to become an electrician then choose a firm for placement that covers a broad variety of areas of electrical, going to a firm that just does maintenance or just does new houses severely limits your potential.

All the best whatever you decide.
Funny you should say that I've heard my boss saying they've been coming to him from Belfast met and SERC trying to get them jobs. We've had 3 since January, 1 turned in 2 days in his first 2 weeks, 1 sighed and grunted about having to get out of the van and the other asked what time he was getting home at at 8 o'clock every morning. Strangely enough none lasted long, make you wonder why they are even in the course if they don't want to work
 
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Funny you should say that I've heard my boss saying they've been coming to him from Belfast met and SERC trying to get them jobs. We've had 3 since January, 1 turned in 2 days in his first 2 weeks, 1 sighed and grunted about having to get out of the van and the other asked what time he was getting home at at 8 o'clock every morning. Strangely enough none lasted long, make you wonder why they are even in the course if they don't want to work

It’s unbelievable the way some of them are, and the good kids are not cut out for it. The last one I had couldn’t wire a click flow connector to any acceptable standard after 7 months of college and 4 with me, no matter how many times he was shown he just didn’t get it. But a decent wee lad.
 
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It’s unbelievable the way some of them are, and the good kids are not cut out for it. The last one I had couldn’t wire a click flow connector to any acceptable standard after 7 months of college and 4 with me, no matter how many times he was shown he just didn’t get it. But a decent wee lad.
Yeah your right we had one guy for a year and a half who was hard working, early every day and was willing to learn but just couldn't get it. Looked really awkward holding tools and just couldn't get a grip of hands on work so he packed it in for a call centre in the end. From what I can gather the numbers aren't very good at the minute so they are only running the course on 1 site in Belfast this year
 
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I have left another trade to hopefully become an electrician, not because of the money because the money was good but if some school leaver said to me he wanted to get in to fixing shaftwall, gypframe etc I would say on your bike its hideous after a while.

I think its the same with any trade you have been in so long you tend to stare other people away as you know the trade so well.
 
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It's all well and good to say there are easier ways to earn money but personally if any young person has their mind set on going into a trade I wouldn't try and deter them. Just go for it. I know 21 year olds who are earning over £20 an hour on site (London) - even if they decide they want to do something else they're still at an age where they can and always have something to fall back on - not to mention in a position where they can fund it. I'm not saying it's any guarentee you are going to be regularly earning £20 an hour in your early 20s (or at any age for that matter), but if you can obtain your gold card at a young age you will be in a very good position.

And no disrespect to the guy saying "get out and enjoy being young", but you'll enjoy yourself a lot more if you're doing something with your life and earning money.

EDIT: It goes without saying that if you're in a position where you feel you can go down the route of becoming a lawyer or a dentist them you should probably go for that, but those doors aren't open for everyone.
 
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Yalcoung,listen carefully,I shall say this only once:)

I have been an electrician for over 50 years and still performing
I have performed over a wide and varied spectrum of the trade
It used to No 1 in the trades pecking order,however,electricians are no longer the respected trade it once enjoyed:(

All I can say is that I hated every minute of that time.its a boring, low paid,under appreciated occupation that requires study and continual learning, it also has paperwork with needless administrative nonsense that numbs your mind:eek:

Any youngster contemplating the occupation need to have their brain reprogrammed :confused:

By the way Electricians are also big story tellers,they tend to lie through the teeth about the job that gave them security,decent wages,interesting work and a occupation they love and maybe never wanted to change :)
 
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Don’t post often but I would say go for it
Great oppunities are coming up with smart house electric vechicles etc
I’ve been a sparks for over 30 years and loved (almost) all of it
I have worked in or sorts of different environments from stately homes to prisons
I still think sparks are no. 1 trade on site and other trades look up to you for your knowledge levels
Money wise always depends on how hard you want work
The guys I hear moaning about not earning much on site normally leave at 4pm
Any way that’s my opinion
Good luck with what ever you decide
 
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Don’t post often but I would say go for it
Great oppunities are coming up with smart house electric vechicles etc
I’ve been a sparks for over 30 years and loved (almost) all of it
I have worked in or sorts of different environments from stately homes to prisons
I still think sparks are no. 1 trade on site and other trades look up to you for your knowledge levels
Money wise always depends on how hard you want work
The guys I hear moaning about not earning much on site normally leave at 4pm
Any way that’s my opinion
Good luck with what ever you decide
 
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[QUOTE=" The last one I had couldn’t wire a click flow connector to any acceptable standard after 7 months of college and 4 with me, no matter how many times he was shown he just didn’t get it. But a decent wee lad.[/QUOTE]

They are pretty $hitty connectors mind never enough room.
 
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