Career change

[Shaun2308]

Hi,

I am looking for a career change but dont know where to start. I am 31 and i would like to train as an electrician. I currently work full time as a Store Manager in Peterborough but its rubbish with no job satisfaction. Im at the stage where if i dont do a career change i probably never will.
Like i said earlier i havent got much idea as to where to start looking about training/Apprenticeship schemes for 30+ year olds.
It would be much appreciated if anyone has any information at all that may/may not help to point me in the right direction.

Many Thanks
Shaun

 

[7029 dave]

Hi Shaun and welcome to the forum

With regards to Apprenticeships you may struggle, anyone over 24 will not get any funding so if you are not in a position to fund yourself then unfortunately not many employers will take you on, when they could get a 16-19 year old fully funded, but saying that I have seen it done once, but he was a relative of the person who employed him. So normally Apprenticeship goes like this; Candidate gains employment with an Electrical Contractor, the candidate and/or employer approaches a college or Apprenticeship provider, College accepts and candidate starts a 4 year apprenticeship on the 2357 NVQ. 4 days a week on site 1 day at college for the first 3 years, the last year is mainly spent on site.

The 2nd option Electrical Improver route day release - Again try to get employment 4 days a week and study at a college or training provider one day a week on the level 2 then level 3 Diplomas in Electrical Installations (2365) and level 3 NVQ 2357-44 on site portfolio only.

The 3rd option Electrical Improver route intensive - This time study the level 2 & level 3 Diplomas (2365) first intensively and then on completion find employment with your new qualifications and then start the level 3 NVQ 2357-44 on site portfolio only.

The 4th option Electrical Improver route evenings or weekend whilst in your store managers job - Same qualifications before but the only problem I find is a lot of the students I have seen do it this way, never went on to become electricians, because by the time they finished the level 2 & level 3 they forgot most of their practical skills and lacked confidence because of this.

You may have seen the Domestic Installer courses, in my eyes they are not an option at all so I advice against doing these packages.

Good luck

Neil

Very good advice there.