Approaching the end of highschool - should I become an electrician?

[yalcoung]

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

 

[Leesparkykent]

Welcome yalcoung. I don't wish to put you off but if it was my son asking the same question I would tell him there is easier ways to make money....You can earn a good living but for me, I think we get the rough end of the stick. A lot of semi skilled trades like drylining, plastering, scaffolders, ground workers can earn the same if not more than what we can without all the added headache that we sometimes get like regs constantly changing, updating qualifications and so on. If I was you I would def look at university and do something like construction management or along those lines.

 

[yalcoung]

Welcome yalcoung. I don't wish to put you off but if it was my son asking the same question I would tell him there is easier ways to make money....You can earn a good living but for me, I think we get the rough end of the stick. A lot of semi skilled trades like drylining, plastering, scaffolders, ground workers can earn the same if not more than what we can without all the added headache that we sometimes get like regs constantly changing, updating qualifications and so on. If I was you I would def look at university and do something like construction management or along those lines.

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.

 

[Leesparkykent]

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.

No problems....All I would say is though and I don't want to sound like I'm preaching, but you have your whole working life ahead of you so in the grand scheme of things another 3-4 years of education is sod all when you think you maybe working for the next 50 odd years. I have a friend who went into construction management, he's on 80k a year + bonuses, has a company car allowance of £600 a month, pension, private healthcare, paid holidays and so on. I would definitely think long and hard before you make your mind up

 

[David Prosser]

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.

What do you think you would be doing for the first year of an apprenticeship ?

 

[yalcoung]

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.

What do you think you would be doing for the first year of an apprenticeship ?

I always assumed that half of the time is spent studying at college and the other half you're working out in the field.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Yes, even with an apprenticeship you are going to spend A lot of your time in a classroom learning about stuff.

As a qualifying question. How do you get along with DIY and stuff like that?

 

[David Prosser]

Don't assume find out. All the apprentices in my company spend the first year at college then spend one week a month at college for the next two years. Then in and out of college to finish there portfolio.

Best thing for now is to not be too obsessed with getting out and earning (I do admire your lack of entitlement though), think about enjoying yourself and not tying yourself down to one path. What seams a great idea now may well be very restrictive in four or five years time. Good understanding of maths and physics can help out with many different paths that may not be appealing to you now but who knows in the future and they will definitely help if you do go on to become an electrician.


Get yourself out and enjoy life, trust me it's wasted on the young !!

 

[yalcoung]

Yes, even with an apprenticeship you are going to spend A lot of your time in a classroom learning about stuff.

As a qualifying question. How do you get along with DIY and stuff like that?

It was mentioned in my original post that I have always been really into building and modifying things like quadcopters, computers etc. I enjoy it and I usually do very well when it comes to that sort of stuff.

 

[Phil Thompson]

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.

 

[PEG]

Welcome yalcoung. I don't wish to put you off but if it was my son asking the same question I would tell him there is easier ways to make money....You can earn a good living but for me, I think we get the rough end of the stick. A lot of semi skilled trades like drylining, plastering, scaffolders, ground workers can earn the same if not more than what we can without all the added headache that we sometimes get like regs constantly changing, updating qualifications and so on. If I was you I would def look at university and do something like construction management or along those lines.

Now THAT...is going to cause a modicum of friction,on some of your bigger projects...

 

[Marvo]

I think you sound suitable for an apprenticeship if you can find one. The electrical industry also includes specialist fields such as lighting, home automation and building management systems to name but a few so there would be options for the future.

 

[MFS Electrical]

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.

Get into gas or tiling they both seem like a license to print money just now

 

[Pete999]

Welcome yalcoung. I don't wish to put you off but if it was my son asking the same question I would tell him there is easier ways to make money....You can earn a good living but for me, I think we get the rough end of the stick. A lot of semi skilled trades like drylining, plastering, scaffolders, ground workers can earn the same if not more than what we can without all the added headache that we sometimes get like regs constantly changing, updating qualifications and so on. If I was you I would def look at university and do something like construction management or along those lines.

Yes agree with the above, good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[streamer]

SECTT Apprenticeships - http://www.sectt.org.uk/apprenticeships.html
Here is a link to the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust website. This is the recognised route for apprenticeships in Scotland. I don't wish to advise you one way or the other but this site will give some information about what to expect during an apprenticeship.