can anyone simplify what the deskilling of the industry means?

[sparkyezz]

hi all, new to the forum.
was looking round the forum after the info i found was really helpful, and the thread that came to my attention was the long thread about the deskilling of the industry.
basically, i just want to understand what this means, what it means for electricians, what it means for trainee electricians, what it means for the industry as a whole...
why is it getting 'deskilled' so to speak? has it or is it still going through? is there a chance it wont go through?
i obviously understand that it can't be good for the industry, but i want to be able to understand it in a bit more depth.
another reason why i'm asking is because i am wanting to persue a career as an electrician, i am very kean to achieve this as i enjoy the electrical installation work, but if it is in my best interest to not go ahead with this career due to the 'deskilling' of the industry, then i won't.
i'm not one of these deluded trainees that rekons it will be a walk in the park in getting qualified and then finding a job, then be earning 40k over night... but obviously if the rate of pay is majorly affected due to this deskilling, then i think that i'l be getting my coat and be looking at other industries ... :auto:

anyway thank in advance for any replies,
sparkyezz

 

[ruston]

Their presence on here and places like it are why people shouldn't be so quick to lump all the "five week wonders" into one category. Some genuinely want to learn a trade as opposed to finding a quick route into earning a few quid. It's not their fault that there are limited ways to do that. The training providers can give an unrealistic picture, which means it's down to those that care (like the majority on this forum seem to do) to help them along the way with some real world experience, opinions and pointing out the down side.

I fully agree with you , and as I have said on previous posts Peers are usually the first ones to lend helping hands . I have seen it and done it many times.
On the 2391 course I was on for instance experienced sparks gave up their own time to help some of the lads who had come onto the course, depending on it , as they thought to get registered for part P. It' s the expectations that is promised to them that is faulted.

 

[Arnold Layne]

ruston,

You are absolutely right about this, it is the expectations that are created by the course providers that are at fault, not the students who attend the courses. And of course the training providers are only trying to sell their courses, but the claims that they make 1. You will be a qualified spark 2. You will be able to get work easily, are inaccurate at best and false in the worst case.

 

[gareth jones]

definition of deskilling: (not Des killing!) two eastern europeans on my 2330 course, failed everything, but keep on sitting re-tests, it's multi-choice so eventually they'll pass and be 'fully qualified electricians' with the same qualification as me, horah mind you I can speak English, they can't as they've only been living here for 12 years!

 

[Welchyboy]

definition of deskilling: (not Des killing!) two eastern europeans on my 2330 course, failed everything, but keep on sitting re-tests, it's multi-choice so eventually they'll pass and be 'fully qualified electricians' with the same qualification as me, horah mind you I can speak English, they can't as they've only been living here for 12 years!

Thats why the jib system should be mandatory, no-one is a 'Fully qualified Electrician' after passing the 2330 on its own, a monkey could do it!

its just part of it

 

[Engineer54]

Bring back the old full scope A, B, C, 2360 tag on a 2391 and make that the minimum standard of anyone calling themselves an electrician.... lol!!

 

[vaughant]

Again agreeing with E54 that getting your basic apprenticeship then moving onto a degree opens up a myriad of opportunities that you simply won't even get a look in on otherwise.
Im overloaded with vocational quals and I have masses of work experience but I know to progress within my industry the next step is to go back to "school" in my free time and get more formal qualifications.
Im starting offshore a week today so hopefully after my probation I can get some time to do this.
As for getting into the industry I'd say absolutely yes but be aware that the new market that IMO is going to explode is the renewables sector,try and get an apprenticeship in that as that's gonna be around forever.
Same as any job,often you see the ones who go the furthest are the ones who make the most sacrifices,if that means moving away from home,missing a few football games,a few weekends with your mates etc then that's what it takes.
Its a great career but if your only goal in life is to pull a few cables 3 miles from your house,to to the same pub every night and expect to get paid £50000+ a year for it then don't bother.
its up to you how far to take your career.