Career paths/progressions

[Guysmiley91]

I’m hoping some of you will be able to help with this.

I’m currently working as a new build electrician, money is semi decent but as you’d expect it’s pretty dull. I’ve been doing it for a few years and am worried that I’m going to get stuck doing it for the rest of my career. This would be fine but as far as I’m aware there’s no progressions from being a new build spark?

My question being, what are some of the progressions for an electrician? Or what are some of the different career paths I could do down with little experience in commercial.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dustydazzler]

start a youtube channel (and no , I'm not joking)

 

[Welchyboy1]

I’m hoping some of you will be able to help with this.

I’m currently working as a new build electrician, money is semi decent but as you’d expect it’s pretty dull. I’ve been doing it for a few years and am worried that I’m going to get stuck doing it for the rest of my career. This would be fine but as far as I’m aware there’s no progressions from being a new build spark?

My question being, what are some of the progressions for an electrician? Or what are some of the different career paths I could do down with little experience in commercial.

Thanks in advance.

What about renewables?

on shore/off shore Wind farms, solar farms, heat pumps, EV points from a commercial perspective
Not likely to be out of work in the future, I would think if you can work your way up in this side of the industry you would do well!

I would like to maybe work in this side of the industry myself, but I’m too old now and don’t like travelling more than 10 miles from my house

 

[sparkydaryl]

If new build is all you know and you want to progress you need to get a job with a firm that does commercial/industrial work also.
There is so much you won't learn or even realise you don't know only doing new builds.

This could also give you a taste of some of the different specialties so you can see what interests you.

Short term would probably lead to a slight pay cut but with the experience you'll be able to command better rates and get better quality jobs.

I am now a high voltage fitter after starting out doing a regular commercial/industrial electricians apprenticeship in 2007.

Also spent:
5 years doing commercial/industrial testing.
2 years as a supervisor/technician for brownfield site redevelopment surveying involving confined space working.

Honestly get out there and the opportunities will find you.

 

[Knight499]

I’m hoping some of you will be able to help with this.

I’m currently working as a new build electrician, money is semi decent but as you’d expect it’s pretty dull. I’ve been doing it for a few years and am worried that I’m going to get stuck doing it for the rest of my career. This would be fine but as far as I’m aware there’s no progressions from being a new build spark?

My question being, what are some of the progressions for an electrician? Or what are some of the different career paths I could do down with little experience in commercial.

Thanks in advance.

Hi Mate

I’m looking to break into the industry in any capacity…

Can i ask how you managed to land your current job?

Also what qualifications do you have/are working towards?

Matt

 

[swaRRR]

Hi Mate

I’m looking to break into the industry in any capacity…

Can i ask how you managed to land your current job?

Also what qualifications do you have/are working towards?

Matt

You've got two options:

Get someone to take you on by being honest with them.

or

Get some skills by yourself then lie about your experience.

 

[Knight499]

You've got two options:

Get someone to take you on by being honest with them.

or

Get some skills by yourself then lie about your experience.

Hi

Thanks for replying.

I’ve tried being honest but no-one seems prepared to take me on without any qualifications.

I’m currently doing my 2365 level 2 as this seems the bare minimum most employers are asking for.

This will enable me to get an ECS labourers card which employers are also asking for.

I just wondered how u became a new build electrician? as that sounds like something I’d be interested in.

 

[sparkydaryl]

Hi

Thanks for replying.

I’ve tried being honest but no-one seems prepared to take me on without any qualifications.

I’m currently doing my 2365 level 2 as this seems the bare minimum most employers are asking for.

This will enable me to get an ECS labourers card which employers are also asking for.

I just wondered how u became a new build electrician? as that sounds like something I’d be interested in.

I did 1 year of 6th form then applied for a good old fashioned apprenticeship so no experience or previous qualifications particularly relevant to the trade.
Apprenticeship is the best way. I know in my area Clarkson Evans (main new build electrical contractor) are currently looking for apprentices.

I also know previous company I worked for often took adult trainees that applied for their apprenticeship scheme. (Large national contractor)
Generally the grown ups pick it up a bit quicker and are a bit more interested.

 

[Knight499]

I did 1 year of 6th form then applied for a good old fashioned apprenticeship so no experience or previous qualifications particularly relevant to the trade.
Apprenticeship is the best way. I know in my area Clarkson Evans (main new build electrical contractor) are currently looking for apprentices.

I also know previous company I worked for often took adult trainees that applied for their apprenticeship scheme. (Large national contractor)
Generally the grown ups pick it up a bit quicker and are a bit more interested.

Hi Mate

Unfortunately due to my age I get overlooked when it comes to apprenticeships…I’ve tried !!!

 

[nicebutdim]

Hi Mate

Unfortunately due to my age I get overlooked when it comes to apprenticeships…I’ve tried !!!

I guarantee that I'm older than you, but through persistence secured an apprenticeship. Knocking on doors is soul destroying, but opportunities are out there.

There are companies who have apprenticeship schemes not open to anyone over 24 and there are companies who won't entertain unsolicited approaches - thank them for their time and move on. Keep looking or don't, but your choices at this time may limit future opportunities or even exclude you completely from them.

 

[swaRRR]

Hi

Thanks for replying.

I’ve tried being honest but no-one seems prepared to take me on without any qualifications.

I’m currently doing my 2365 level 2 as this seems the bare minimum most employers are asking for.

This will enable me to get an ECS labourers card which employers are also asking for.

I just wondered how u became a new build electrician? as that sounds like something I’d be interested in.

You can also do a 3 hour health and safety course for £99 that you can get your ECS card with, but you need to show engagement in the industry too. That could be via qualifications, and the 18th edition would be the easiest quickest route to this.

I've not got an ECS card i've got the CSCS card which is open to anyone to get. Same thing basically.

If you're doing your level 2 does that mean you'll have finished it in the coming weeks or are you starting in Sept?

I played nice for nearly a decade and nobody would take me on. After that i thought sod this, taught myself some skills and then lied about my experience to get taken on as a mate. You can suss the job in the first few days on site, it's just pulling cables, drilling holes, plugging, some making off, etc. 'Embellished' my CV and now i'm on 900 quid a week and i've only got my 18th edition. Agencies are literally crying out for anyone who can do the job at the moment, wages are going crazy.

Don't get me wrong - i can do the job and i have experience, but it was all self-taught through a willingness to learn it properly. But i've still had to lie about experience because if you don't nobody will look at you. I got my foot in the door and now i get beaming references off whoever i work for because i work hard when i'm at work and they get a good shift out of me.

 

[Knight499]

You can also do a 3 hour health and safety course for £99 that you can get your ECS card with, but you need to show engagement in the industry too. That could be via qualifications, and the 18th edition would be the easiest quickest route to this.

I've not got an ECS card i've got the CSCS card which is open to anyone to get. Same thing basically.

If you're doing your level 2 does that mean you'll have finished it in the coming weeks or are you starting in Sept?

I played nice for nearly a decade and nobody would take me on. After that i thought sod this, taught myself some skills and then lied about my experience to get taken on as a mate. You can suss the job in the first few days on site, it's just pulling cables, drilling holes, plugging, some making off, etc. 'Embellished' my CV and now i'm on 900 quid a week and i've only got my 18th edition. Agencies are literally crying out for anyone who can do the job at the moment, wages are going crazy.

Don't get me wrong - i can do the job and i have experience, but it was all self-taught through a willingness to learn it properly. But i've still had to lie about experience because if you don't nobody will look at you. I got my foot in the door and now i get beaming references off whoever i work for because i work hard when i'm at work and they get a good shift out of me.

I’m completing my level 2 around my current job so hoping to be done as soon as possible.

I too have a CSCS card but it looks as if i need An ECS card which once I’ve completed my 2365 i should be able to apply for.

It’s a catch 22 situation…employees want me to have an ECS card but i cant Get the card until I’m employed/engaged in the industry

 

[swaRRR]

I’m completing my level 2 around my current job so hoping to be done as soon as possible.

I too have a CSCS card but it looks as if i need An ECS card which once I’ve completed my 2365 i should be able to apply for.

It’s a catch 22 situation…employees want me to have an ECS card but i cant Get the card until I’m employed/engaged in the industry

ECS card is definitely an advantage but i've never been asked for it and do just fine for work.

 

[Eddy Currents]

It’s a catch 22 situation…employees want me to have an ECS card but i cant Get the card until I’m employed/engaged in the industry

I think you are misunderstanding this. They won't issue you an ecs card unless you are on an electrical progressive route, it has nothing to do with if your employed or not. If your not on an electrical course then you would have to go for cscs which some employers would still accept as an alternative to ecs but limited to working as a labourer / mate

ECS card is definitely an advantage but i've never been asked for it and do just fine for work.

That depends on what work you do and where

I work on a lot of commercial sites and without a card you won't be allowed on site. I have always been asked for card at induction for them to photocopy
no card = no work

 

[swaRRR]

I think you are misunderstanding this. They won't issue you an ecs card unless you are on an electrical progressive route, it has nothing to do with if your employed or not. If your not on an electrical course then you would have to go for cscs which some employers would still accept as an alternative to ecs but limited to working as a labourer / mate

Not true. You can do a recognised health and safety course and then provide proof of 'engagement in the electrical industry' and they accept qualifications as proof. I have the CSCS and am working as an improver on electricians money.

That depends on what work you do and where

I work on a lot of commercial sites and without a card you won't be allowed on site. I have always been asked for card at induction for them to photocopy
no card = no work

I mostly do commercial industrial and have never been asked for it, my CSCS card is always accepted no matter what site i go on.