becoming an electrician at 30

[gazdkw82]

Hi,

This is my first post on here. I am 30, employed at leicester university in logistics and at a point where i am in desperate need to be doing a job that i actually enjoy and stimulates/challenges me. I have a mature, professional mind set and have a family (not sure this info is needed but it helps to give you an idea of me and my lifestyle)

I have showned a keen interest in electrics and have made some progress in finding out my local college can offer me the part p course 1 day a week (tues 1-9) and then 17th edition and then installation/testing. I am going to an open evening sep 11th for more information but i would like some real advice from people within the industry if possible....

Once iv passed, is the only route an apprentice? Would it be best to have an idea of the type of electrical work i would like to be doing or is it best to keep as open to different fields of electrics as possible?

would you have any advice for a 30 year old looking to train as an electrician?

thankyou

 

[ackbarthestar]

Cricky, sounds like a rerun of my own experience, although a couple of years younger.

Attempted to sign up for an apprenticeship course at my local tech and was laughed off site as being too old, that was nearly 30 years ago. Things have changed to allow older trainees/ apprentices into the industry.

I personally wouldn't go for the part P unless there is no alternative, but look at electrical employment with an established company.
The big problem there is the money, particularly when you have financial / other responsibilities.

There is no quick fix answer TBH, the competence part is about doing the job safely as an automoton. that's to say you do the job in your head before you do the job and that takes time to establish.
The safety side of it has to be automatic. You know what dangers you are dealing with and how to avoid them. You also need to know when not to attempt certain jobs, particularly if you haven't been shown and that is where the apprenticeship/trainee comes into play.

But having said that there is not a day that I I'm not picking up new tricks about the industry

 

[Rampantchilli]

You will need more than the 3 quals you mention to become a spark, none of those will actually teach you how to install.
you would be best approaching contractors in your area and see if there are positions for improvers or electricians mate, as the only real way to learn real world situations are in the real world.
You could do a domestic installer course, which would give you a starting point, but these do not replace experience, and you'd be best getting that whilst working under the supervision of a qualified spark.
finaly, being a spark is not all bacon sarnies and coffee, there can be a lot of grief and hard work, with little reward, so be sure it's what you want to do before spending your hard earned, also helps if your good at maths and have a good understanding of science/physics I've found

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Hi,

This is my first post on here. I am 30, employed at leicester university in logistics and at a point where i am in desperate need to be doing a job that i actually enjoy and stimulates/challenges me. I have a mature, professional mind set and have a family (not sure this info is needed but it helps to give you an idea of me and my lifestyle)

I have showned a keen interest in electrics and have made some progress in finding out my local college can offer me the part p course 1 day a week (tues 1-9) and then 17th edition and then installation/testing. I am going to an open evening sep 11th for more information but i would like some real advice from people within the industry if possible....

Once iv passed, is the only route an apprentice? Would it be best to have an idea of the type of electrical work i would like to be doing or is it best to keep as open to different fields of electrics as possible?

would you have any advice for a 30 year old looking to train as an electrician?

thankyou

Be VERY sure that you are SO disenfranchised with your current secure setup that you can REALLY afford to compromise your family. There is nothing wrong with re-training at your age. I did, but I didn't have a mortgage and kids to support.

My advice to you my friend would be to try to complete the CORE electrical qualification.

I say this, as your end goal should be a JIB Gold Card. Anything less isn't worth spending any money on as you don't have to have any qualifications to legally work on domestic properties.

You should stick with your day job for the moment and think of your wife and kids. Try to make some friends/ contacts in the electrical installation industry and offer to help out or see if they need a paid hand on the weekend.

It REALLY IS tight out there and I fear that you maybe jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.

I'm not saying don't do it, but please do it carefully and take people's advice. That is what you came here for after all.

Regards.

 

[SPARK2B]

Hi,

This is my first post on here. I am 30, employed at leicester university in logistics and at a point where i am in desperate need to be doing a job that i actually enjoy and stimulates/challenges me. I have a mature, professional mind set and have a family (not sure this info is needed but it helps to give you an idea of me and my lifestyle)

I have showned a keen interest in electrics and have made some progress in finding out my local college can offer me the part p course 1 day a week (tues 1-9) and then 17th edition and then installation/testing. I am going to an open evening sep 11th for more information but i would like some real advice from people within the industry if possible....

Once iv passed, is the only route an apprentice? Would it be best to have an idea of the type of electrical work i would like to be doing or is it best to keep as open to different fields of electrics as possible?

would you have any advice for a 30 year old looking to train as an electrician?

thankyou

FIRSTLY, ......NICE!

If you look at my posts ( i only joined a few days ago) i too am just 30 2 weeks ago and have decided to change my path, i jacked my job in because they were taking the p*ss out of us all at wok, ......i intend to take the first year off work, blow all my savings and worry about a job when the savings get low,...

anyway, my route starts september 17th at swindon college, electro tech city and guilds course 2330 (link to city and guilds site below about the course)

[url]http://www.cityandguilds.com/Courses-and-Qualifications/building-services-industry/electrical-installation/2330-electrotechnical-technology[/URL]



mine is a 2 yr course @ £850 a year, ..its 2 evenings a week for about 3.5 hrs an eve,......then there are other courses to take, but this is my plan, ...would summin like this work for you at a local college ?.....you could stay at work ( i know if ur unhappy it sucks) but all the time, with each passing day, you can be still earning your wage, whilst thinking to yourself,........

HEH--EHE--HEEE...........IM WINNING A SECRET WAR!!,.......and before you know it, boom, things have changed and you are where you want to be....

evening courses (if poss for you) sound best as you could still work, be it at job your at now, or a new one.....

.....im not saying that this path will suit you, or that 2330 is the only option, but i saw your post about being 30 and in my situation near enough, and thought id offer my one pence worth,.....which used to be 2 pence worth, but you have seen the financial climate, cutbacks....


this forum seriously rocks, lotsa very smart people who know whats what...........


let me know what you decide

best of luck

SPARK2B

 

[kingeri]

Get a large bold font, why don't you!

 

[GLENNSPARK]

FIRSTLY, ......NICE!

If you look at my posts ( i only joined a few days ago) i too am just 30 2 weeks ago and have decided to change my path, i jacked my job in because they were taking the p*ss out of us all at wok, ......i intend to take the first year off work, blow all my savings and worry about a job when the savings get low,...

anyway, my route starts september 17th at swindon college, electro tech city and guilds course 2330 (link to city and guilds site below about the course)

[URL]http://www.cityandguilds.com/Courses-and-Qualifications/building-services-industry/electrical-installation/2330-electrotechnical-technology[/URL]



mine is a 2 yr course @ £850 a year, ..its 2 evenings a week for about 3.5 hrs an eve,......then there are other courses to take, but this is my plan, ...would summin like this work for you at a local college ?.....you could stay at work ( i know if ur unhappy it sucks) but all the time, with each passing day, you can be still earning your wage, whilst thinking to yourself,........

HEH--EHE--HEEE...........IM WINNING A SECRET WAR!!,.......and before you know it, boom, things have changed and you are where you want to be....

evening courses (if poss for you) sound best as you could still work, be it at job your at now, or a new one.....

.....im not saying that this path will suit you, or that 2330 is the only option, but i saw your post about being 30 and in my situation near enough, and thought id offer my one pence worth,.....which used to be 2 pence worth, but you have seen the financial climate, cutbacks....


this forum seriously rocks, lotsa very smart people who know whats what...........


let me know what you decide

best of luck

SPARK2B

well heres something for you whilst your at it:

Electrical Installation Revision Page

 

[SPARK2B]

Get a large bold font, why don't you!

all the easier to read my dear....enjoying your saturday ?

i hope everyone is..(-:

 

[SPARK2B]

well heres something for you whilst your at it:

Electrical Installation Revision Page

cheers GLENNSPARK,......this is a good page .....enjoying your weekend ?....hope so

 

[gazdkw82]

sorry for the late reply.

Thankyou everyone for your concern and advice. heres an update...

Iv arranged to take a week out of my current role at the uni to work with the maintenance electricians, just to shadow and see what the job (for these guys) is like.

I am very much in the middle here as i

1. in a steady job (i hate)
2. have a family to think about and
3. dont have time/funds on my side....

however, the uni have made it clear they can help a little with funding which is a big bonus and the college have said they do the course p 1 day a week 2-9 and i can finish at 1.30 if i dont have a break.

The biggest problem here is my battle with myself. One day im 100% this is what i want, the next day im having doubts, asking myself questions like (is this really what i want to do till i retire) (are the hours going to be so long that i wont see much of my family) (Am i going to be so stressed with the role/job that it effects my lifestyle)

im sure all of the above are probably natural but im just scared im going to make a big commitment financially and time wise and maybe not enjoy/like it as much as i thought. I will continue to do as much homework on the subject/field as possible.

 

[Whizzkidgeoff]

Its very long hours, I used to work for myself but now work as Maintenance Manager. You have to think about quality of life but then you also need to pay the bills. You only live once though so do what you feel is right.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

sorry for the late reply.

Thankyou everyone for your concern and advice. heres an update...

Iv arranged to take a week out of my current role at the uni to work with the maintenance electricians, just to shadow and see what the job (for these guys) is like.

I am very much in the middle here as i

1. in a steady job (i hate)
2. have a family to think about and
3. dont have time/funds on my side....

however, the uni have made it clear they can help a little with funding which is a big bonus and the college have said they do the course p 1 day a week 2-9 and i can finish at 1.30 if i dont have a break.

The biggest problem here is my battle with myself. One day im 100% this is what i want, the next day im having doubts, asking myself questions like (is this really what i want to do till i retire) (are the hours going to be so long that i wont see much of my family) (Am i going to be so stressed with the role/job that it effects my lifestyle)

im sure all of the above are probably natural but im just scared im going to make a big commitment financially and time wise and maybe not enjoy/like it as much as i thought. I will continue to do as much homework on the subject/field as possible.

Hi Gaz,

It sounds as though you want to be a 100% sure about this big change before you actually do it. Thats going to be impossible, you will have to take a degree of calculated risk. You're working alongside the maintenance electricians for a week at the uni which is a good idea but remember that the type of work they are doing (PAT testing etc) may vary somewhat to the work you will be doing as the Part P course you mention entitles you to only work in Domestic premises.

Its sounds as though the Uni have been quite flexible and helpful with your ideas so why not broach the subject of going part time, that way you keep a degree of financial stabilty but have more time to play around with your idea. This is exactly what I have done and I am VERY happy with my decision.

I reduced my hours at my main job as I still wanted a bit of financial security (mortgage/children) and work 2-3 days a week work as a Domestic Installer (Part P course one evening a week at my local college for 6months). For me it has worked very well as I was very bored with my main job and this has really made life more fulfilling... However, that is for me and I'm not promising it will be the same for you but its good for you to hear everyones story so you can make up your own mind.

I should add that the course (mine was very well taught) still only gives you the very basics and although legally allowed to work in domestic premises (once registered) you will not be competent enough to do so and should really try and find an electrician to hook up with for a few months (I also spent the first few months after the course having a practise in my house, then a few smaller jobs for friends and then eventually to the public!)

Good luck.... and go for it.........maybe! :smile5:

 

[trev]

I think a lot of the guys will agree with what I'm about to say.
The trade is being dumbed down to a ridiculous extent and you'll be competing with some people who are prepared to work for three tenths of bugger all to get work. You're also up against the mindset promoted by the goblin and the estate agent (Domonic Littlewood and Phil Spencer) that all tradespeople are out to rip people off, the friendly helpful experts employed by the sheds are also a major bugbear of mine because they will gladly dish out advice to people on how to carry out electrical work despite having no knowledge of their own to base it on.
Being a spark can be immensely enjoyable though, there's not a day goes by when you don't pick up something new. You can also make a decent living at it.
Would I pick the same path again knowing what I know now? Probably not.

 

[gazdkw82]

I think a lot of the guys will agree with what I'm about to say.
The trade is being dumbed down to a ridiculous extent and you'll be competing with some people who are prepared to work for three tenths of bugger all to get work. You're also up against the mindset promoted by the goblin and the estate agent (Domonic Littlewood and Phil Spencer) that all tradespeople are out to rip people off, the friendly helpful experts employed by the sheds are also a major bugbear of mine because they will gladly dish out advice to people on how to carry out electrical work despite having no knowledge of their own to base it on.
Being a spark can be immensely enjoyable though, there's not a day goes by when you don't pick up something new. You can also make a decent living at it.
Would I pick the same path again knowing what I know now? Probably not.

You mean there are people who are working as a sparky for a very small amount?

this is another concern because let's be honest I'm not going to experience on my side for the first few years so the idea of earning pittance is a worry

 

[trev]

Gaz, there are people out there who have no idea of what to charge so in order to win work they go in stupidly low. Couple that with Tommy at the pub who isn't an electrician but knows what he's doing, who will wire your house for 20 smokes and a couple of pints (no calculations, no testing, "the what equation? never heard of it so don't need to do it) and you'll get the idea.