Become an electrician in 4 weeks - Feedback needed.

[thomoose]

Hi everyone,

I am interested in hearing from anyone who has attended one of these "become an electrician in 4 weeks" course and how you are getting on since finishing. I don't want to hear from people that have spent 3 years on an apprenticeship only those who have attended one of these career change courses and would like to share the positives and negatives of the courses.

I know people think they are a waist of time and how can anyone become an electrician in 4 weeks but there are so many places offering the service, the demand must be out there and people must be doing it because the courses would not exist. I have managed to speak to a guy that did a 4 week course, managed to get get some work but felt he was way out of his depth but luckily he found someone else to work with and now 12 months later business is booming.

I would love to hear any comments because these courses are not cheap and I would like to hear some stories before I commit. My initial thoughts are they cant be that bad or City & Guilds would not give the qualifications.

Thanks

 

[alarm man]

It is a difficult one as I have spent 10 years in an office, done quite well for myself but want a change and am fortunate enough to be in a position where I can afford a change if you know what I mean.

well theres thousands of sparks who are not in that position,who dont want a change(yet) but are finding it harder to get decent jobs with decent pay because the likes of yourself are devaluing the industry by jumping on a bandwagon that isnt moving,willing to work for free rising to min' wage,if youve spent 10 yrs in an office thats your choice,some lads have spent 10 yrs on a site that was their choice too..sometimes the choice you made in life might not be the one you like later in life,but you made a choice like we all did,right or wrong stick with it..you made it,you cant float through life chopping and changing..

 

[beanstoast]

well theres thousands of sparks who are not in that position,who dont want a change(yet) but are finding it harder to get decent jobs with decent pay because the likes of yourself are devaluing the industry by jumping on a bandwagon that isnt moving,willing to work for free rising to min' wage,if youve spent 10 yrs in an office thats your choice,some lads have spent 10 yrs on a site that was their choice too..sometimes the choice you made in life might not be the one you like later in life,but you made a choice like we all did,right or wrong stick with it..you made it,you cant float through life chopping and changing..

Some of the replys on this subject make me laugh. Why can't someone change career if they feel like it? You shouldnt have to work in the same job/career for 40/50 years.

Granted if someone wants to become an electrician they should have to do it properly and a 4 week course isn't doing it properly, but noone is going to employ someone with just that on there cv.

But to say you made your choice when you was 16, stick with it is a bit silly.

 

[Adam W]

if they are so bad why do they exist and why do people do them?

Maybe these courses do have a place for sommeone like me who wants to get a foot in the door?

You answered your own question there. You've already been told the reality.

 

[alarm man]

Some of the replys on this subject make me laugh. Why can't someone change career if they feel like it? You shouldnt have to work in the same job/career for 40/50 years.

Granted if someone wants to become an electrician they should have to do it properly and a 4 week course isn't doing it properly, but noone is going to employ someone with just that on there cv.

But to say you made your choice when you was 16, stick with it is a bit silly.

not really b,its a trade one like others takes years to be good at never mind master,if youre stacking shelves one day then working on a production line the next thats the type of job id expect to move freely too and from,now if your stacking shelves one day and 5 weeks later your a spark,doesnt work does it..you can move freely between unskilled jobs every week if you wish,thats because its unskilled work and the rates reflect that,but being a spark is going down the same route imo..and thats the thing, spark jobs are being offered at shelf stacker rates...is that right?

 

[beanstoast]

I can see what you mean but if people wanna better themselves then fair play to them as long as they do it properly. I've said in a previous post where I stand. A friend I went to college with has made the switch and is now working as an electricians mate on £8 an hour. He won't be getting sparky rates for a good few years and thats reality.

These courses are sold to 'shelf stackers' as do this course and you'll earn 30k a year. Thats obviously not the case as you won't be an electrician until you do your graft for a few years and have the right papers..... rightly so.

 

[alarm man]

I can see what you mean but if people wanna better themselves then fair play to them as long as they do it properly. I've said in a previous post where I stand. A friend I went to college with has made the switch and is now working as an electricians mate on £8 an hour. He won't be getting sparky rates for a good few years and thats reality.

These courses are sold to 'shelf stackers' as do this course and you'll earn 30k a year. Thats obviously not the case as you won't be an electrician until you do your graft for a few years and have the right papers..... rightly so.

agree mate,if you want to be a spark or whatever,do it the right way,if it takes 4 years it takes 4 years,not 5 weeks,the i have a family/house to pay for etc doesnt mean you can do it any quicker,if you have a family/house etc,stick with whats paying the bills..as being a spark in 5 weeks wont...

 

[Des 56]

agree mate,if you want to be a spark or whatever,do it the right way,if it takes 4 years it takes 4 years,not 5 weeks,the i have a family/house to pay for etc doesnt mean you can do it any quicker,if you have a family/house etc,stick with whats paying the bills..as being a spark in 5 weeks wont...

Sort of ironic statement in these times

Electricians seem united on the statement,its a pity the schemes didn't have the same attitude at the onset of Part p

As it is the schemes opened the floodgates to all these training providers to get rich on claims we all recognise as wishful thinking, by registering anyone and anybody who may have minimal qualifications but fat wallets

I have feelings that pull in two directions with the short spark training

Firstly that people are gullible enough to accept what is mostly hype and tripe off these criminal training companies about their prospects.
Secondly I feel sorry for these same good people, who may be paying hard earned money, only to be conned when all they are doing is their best to get on in life

 

[alarm man]

im going into dentistry,
pulling teeth--pulling cables is harder
drilling teeth--ive drilled and tapped 2mm holes,its just panel work
fillings--no different than making a pyro end
teeth brace--just metal ty-raps

i dont even need a 5 week course to be a dentist either..

anyone got toothache yet:shades_smile:

 

[mickys86]

im going into dentistry,
pulling teeth--pulling cables is harder
drilling teeth--ive drilled and tapped 2mm holes,its just panel work
fillings--no different than making a pyro end
teeth brace--just metal ty-raps

i dont even need a 5 week course to be a dentist either..

anyone got toothache yet:shades_smile:

My toothache just got better.....

 

[alarm man]

My toothache just got better.....

string and a door handle was it...bloody Electrical Trainee dentists...
:38:

 

[resettleddave]

Thomoose

I am 50 years old and I did one of these courses (although I didn't have to pay for it) and I offer the following points for your consideration.

1. The qualifications were, on the whole, too easy. The 17th Edition and the 2393 building regs were just tests on how to find answers in a book; the full scope part P was a little harder, had a practical element and inspection and test of this practical work; by far the hardest was the C&G 2391 which is a true test of both your knowledge of the regs and your practical ability to inspect and test a moderately difficult installation in a short time.

2. Now I have done this package of courses am I an Electrician? The answer is obviously no!! - but I have a starting point to move on from. However, how to move on is difficult, you can only gain experience on the job and nobody wants you on the job!

3. Will anybody employ me? From what I've seen so far, no!! - because as I have already said, in the main the qualifications are too easy to come by and I haven't served my time. Also, as the more experienced contributors have pointed out, these courses do not teach you the practicalities of real jobs, they are classroom based and are mainly wires clipped direct to a board on a wall - they are not chased half way round a house, through the loft, under the floor boards, etc... - this is what these courses dont teach you!

4. What am I doing now? Luckily I am not totally reliant upon this line of work for my income, so I am doing small to medium jobs for friends so I can take my time, learn while I am doing them and hopefully get better - and before anyone chirps up! Yes, I am insured - Yes I do know what needs to be notified and - Yes I do know my limits!

Overall, I agree with the majority that have responded to your thread, these courses will not make you a £30000 Electrician overnight, but they are a start and if you can find a kind hearted veteran to guide you on further it may eventually get you there. However, while these courses continue to be looked down upon with scorn by the seasoned campaigners and the trade in general, they will not get you very far on your own.

Cheers and all the best in whatever you decide.:6: