Hi all - I'll be relocating to the UK in a few months (South England and Wales), and I am looking at becoming a qualified electrician.
TLDR Version:
I've got a general understanding on the C&G qualifications I need to have along with having a portfolio to get a Gold Card/etc.
The part I am trying to gain some insight on is what minimum qualifications I need to work as an electrical mate/trades assistant /installer/helping hand.
I've looked at job listing requirements seem to vary. With all the different bodies involved, I can’t quite figure out what is "legal", what is industry expectation and what is just a single company’s requirement.
I want to start gaining more work experience and material for my portfolio ASAP while also funding my training/being able to eat.
Realistically, I can't take the financial hit of an apprenticeship, I also don't entirely see the need to do a whole 3-4 years as, again, I am not coming from 0 idea of wiring/electrical theory/industry/work. Please see the background below on this if you want to take the time.
Some things I was thinking as options:
Taking the C&G 2365 2+3 w 2018 regs combo straight up - then finding work during/afterwards
Take the C&G 2365 2 and then start doing some work do level 3 later.
How would you go about it?
Long Version - Professional Background:
Currently being assessed by ECCITIS is my Electromechaincal Engineering Technology Diploma - I have about 5 years experience Industral Automation/Controls (In 4 different countries) and nearly all my work experience is directly or adjacent to electrical along with PLC programming/integration etc. Essentially, all I have never been able to do or done on these systems is connect to the mains -or do the industrial power distribution within a whole facility. I did theory (designing industrial 3 phase distribution and the doing the calculations) at school and have had to work with companies electrical crews to understand the load requirements etc. Miscellaneous electrical work-wise I have also had a hand in doing portable solar setups and wiring up caravans. I know my way around a machine shop and am just in general handy. Before my technologist work, I had been working full time in manufacturing for 7 years. I have a positive can do attitude and am not afraid to get my hands dirty (I am not one of those programmers
). So, I am not entirely green.
My long-term plan ors to work on industrial electrical projects contracts.
Where I currently live, there is extremely strict standards for where a "labourer" or trade assistant role begins and ends, and where someone absolutely has to be an electrician. There is also only one route to becoming a sparky -which you essentially end up with no control over -as in if your boss doesn't want to progress you faster because they don't want to pay you the next level of wages - tough for you.
I am, however, very keen to learn new things, come at this with fresh eyes and simply have that experience there to help me understand this new career a bit faster rather worrying too much about previous experience.
TLDR Version:
I've got a general understanding on the C&G qualifications I need to have along with having a portfolio to get a Gold Card/etc.
The part I am trying to gain some insight on is what minimum qualifications I need to work as an electrical mate/trades assistant /installer/helping hand.
I've looked at job listing requirements seem to vary. With all the different bodies involved, I can’t quite figure out what is "legal", what is industry expectation and what is just a single company’s requirement.
I want to start gaining more work experience and material for my portfolio ASAP while also funding my training/being able to eat.
Realistically, I can't take the financial hit of an apprenticeship, I also don't entirely see the need to do a whole 3-4 years as, again, I am not coming from 0 idea of wiring/electrical theory/industry/work. Please see the background below on this if you want to take the time.
Some things I was thinking as options:
Taking the C&G 2365 2+3 w 2018 regs combo straight up - then finding work during/afterwards
Take the C&G 2365 2 and then start doing some work do level 3 later.
How would you go about it?
Long Version - Professional Background:
Currently being assessed by ECCITIS is my Electromechaincal Engineering Technology Diploma - I have about 5 years experience Industral Automation/Controls (In 4 different countries) and nearly all my work experience is directly or adjacent to electrical along with PLC programming/integration etc. Essentially, all I have never been able to do or done on these systems is connect to the mains -or do the industrial power distribution within a whole facility. I did theory (designing industrial 3 phase distribution and the doing the calculations) at school and have had to work with companies electrical crews to understand the load requirements etc. Miscellaneous electrical work-wise I have also had a hand in doing portable solar setups and wiring up caravans. I know my way around a machine shop and am just in general handy. Before my technologist work, I had been working full time in manufacturing for 7 years. I have a positive can do attitude and am not afraid to get my hands dirty (I am not one of those programmers
). So, I am not entirely green. My long-term plan ors to work on industrial electrical projects contracts.
Where I currently live, there is extremely strict standards for where a "labourer" or trade assistant role begins and ends, and where someone absolutely has to be an electrician. There is also only one route to becoming a sparky -which you essentially end up with no control over -as in if your boss doesn't want to progress you faster because they don't want to pay you the next level of wages - tough for you.
I am, however, very keen to learn new things, come at this with fresh eyes and simply have that experience there to help me understand this new career a bit faster rather worrying too much about previous experience.
