Best way to get Experience

[RDB85]

So as many of you know I have been looking for work as a Mate/Labourer for around 5 months now, but no one will take me on due to not having enough experience. It really is a Catch 22 situation. So I have tried, phoning companies, emailing CVs, applying for Electricians Mates jobs on the job sites, going to the Wholesalers and giving each of them a CV and Cover Letter but I have heard nothing. Some get in touch, but then it just seems to fall flat. I am just running out of options really as its a long time to be out of work. Any suggestions on how to get experience would be great.

 

[casperLennon]

Have you tried.............................maybe plumbing?

 

[RDB85]

Have you tried.............................maybe plumbing?

Why would I want to do that, when I have spent £4k on two courses. I can image plumbing to be the exact same.

 

[derek]

If you can't get a start as an electrician's labourer then you need to get on site to network, that means taking any labouring job onsite and then when you are there sound the electricians out for work.
Even as a labourer you can pick up general building knowledge which will come in handy and if you are a grafter then hopefully the electricians will give you a chance.

 

[RDB85]

If you can't get a start as an electrician's labourer then you need to get on site to network, that means taking any labouring job onsite and then when you are there sound the electricians out for work.
Even as a labourer you can pick up general building knowledge which will come in handy and if you are a grafter then hopefully the electricians will give you a chance.

I will look into it.

 

[Gas engineer]

Yes I’ve tried them. Nothing really came from it other than sending my CV.

Which ones? Maybe try further afield, such as Halton, Knowsley, Torus(GG/Helena). Then there could be British Gas - they need contract electricians sometimes.

 

[Gas engineer]

Which housing authorities? Maybe try further afield, such as Halton housing, KHT, Torus(GG/Helena). Then there could be British Gas - they need contract electricians sometimes.

 

[RDB85]

Which housing authorities? Maybe try further afield, such as Halton housing, KHT, Torus(GG/Helena). Then there could be British Gas - they need contract electricians sometimes.

I have tried all the main ones in Liverpool, including British Gas, Network Rail, United Utilities.

 

[Gas engineer]

I have tried all the main ones in Liverpool, including British Gas, Network Rail, United Utilities.

OK, so maybe try one of the others I have listed. Also have you tried indeed? Ive just searched electricians mate in Liverpool and got a few results.

 

[RDB85]

OK, so maybe try one of the others I have listed. Also have you tried indeed? Ive just searched electricians mate in Liverpool and got a few results.

I will give it a go. I’ve been applying for jobs on the job boards for months. Got nothing. Main thing I need is IPAF but I don’t have the cash available to do it.

 

[RDB85]

Sent a lot of emails to the wholesalers, I will also go down on Monday to a few. A few people have asked me about wages, but rather than me giving them a figure I have said that I will let them decided. The minimum wage would be okay, as I would rather have the experience.

 

[Pete999]

Sent a lot of emails to the wholesalers, I will also go down on Monday to a few. A few people have asked me about wages, but rather than me giving them a figure I have said that I will let them decided. The minimum wage would be okay, as I would rather have the experience.

I would post your details, with the relevant permissions in as many wholesalers as you can locally, including both Screwfix and Electrifix, I worked in Electrifix for a while and was surprised as to how many Sparks where asking about labour, once they new I was a retired Sparks, they can only say No.

 

[Kojak]

Don't work for minimum wage, you'll drag everyones wages down. Surely the idea of all this training you've done and spent alot of time and money on is to earn a decent living wage no matter where you are on the ladder.

 

[RDB85]

I would post your details, with the relevant permissions in as many wholesalers as you can locally, including both Screwfix and Electrifix, I worked in Electrifix for a while and was surprised as to how many Sparks where asking about labour, once they new I was a retired Sparks, they can only say No.

I’ve done that I went down to a number of them today and handed my CV in.

 

[RDB85]

Don't work for minimum wage, you'll drag everyones wages down. Surely the idea of all this training you've done and spent alot of time and money on is to earn a decent living wage no matter where you are on the ladder.

It is yeah. I agree no one should work for min wage. But if it means being taken on for a while such as a year or more then it would be worth it. But I see where your coming from. I’ve always been told to value your worth. But as I don’t have any site experience. I then don’t feel I could ask for JIB rates which are £11 a£13 an hour with no experience.

 

[DeanoRN]

Sometimes in this game you have to tell the odd porkie. Try again saying you have 1 year experience. Have you got an ECS card

haha yes you do.