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.
