Change of career

[Thomas240280]

Hi,

I'm a hard working 32 year old from Bristol, I'm looking at getting into the electrical game as I'm fed up with my dead end fork lift driving job. I decided I wanted to become an electrician after I had an electrician to install an extra socket in my kitchen and I seen how easy it was ( you just match colours ) and how much was charged for it. Can't believe how easy it was I even added another one onto it a few weeks later I drilled through the back of socket into the bathroom for wall mounted tv ( I know how cool is that) and don't worry it's no where near the bath im not stupid. It's works like a charm.

Anyway I'd like to get into the electrical game, what is the quickest route( and cheapest) ? And I'd like to be on a bit more than I'm on now (£10 ph) after seeing how much the electrical firms charge I also have a house and family to look after. Has anyone on here got room for a really hard working 32 year old?

 

[markc123]

You've done the 8 week course...have you done an apprentership? How can you possibly argue that the 8week course is just as benefitial, and that college notes don't matter when you're newly qualified ect...

This thread should be made a sticky to be honest. On why NOT to take the short course.

I've asked 4 or 5 times now and ive still not got a response. If anyone is reading this and thinking about taking a short course, the simple answer is they take 4k off you, give you 8weeks basic training and then leave you to it - unprepared for life as a spark. As said before, they promise everything and deliver nothing.

 

[IT SPARKY]

theproblem that causes arguments seems to be the modern definition of electrician,back in my day an electrician learned not only about wiring lights and sockets but also motors,control gear,conduit ,trunking,pyro and so much more and it took a long time.Now lads do a short course and class themselves as a spark equal to the ones who did it the long way and learned all the job.this cheapens it for us apprentice trained sparks as joe public dont see the difference, look how many short course lads come on here for advice when confronted by a contactor or some other "unusual piece of kit,all this was everday kit for us apprentice trained sparks.not having a dig at anyone just telling it as it is.

Fair point. I agree.

''this cheapens it for us apprentice trained sparks as joe public dont see the difference,''

I also understand it can be painful. But Mrs Jones doesn't care if you're PYRO - Motors or plant electrician etc. When she needs a re-wire/new CU, kitchen or lighting. We serve a need. and may not want to take on such work as motors pyro or plant.

 

[shagbite]

Actually I think I'll be a

Barrister

next, my skills are good here too! :fuk2: Just found a 12 week course! LOL!

it's spelt B A R I S T A.

 

[Guest111]

You should stay off the Bacardi mate, you're the only person on here who couldn't comprehend what I meant. LOL!

I was referring to the op not you lol, he said he had taken a socket off a socket not a spur off a socket, what is it when you take a socket off another one? answer a spur,

 

[IT SPARKY]

You've done the 8 week course...have you done an apprentership? How can you possibly argue that the 8week course is just as benefitial, and that college notes don't matter when you're newly qualified ect...

This thread should be made a sticky to be honest. On why NOT to take the short course.

I've asked 4 or 5 times now and ive still not got a response. If anyone is reading this and thinking about taking a short course, the simple answer is they take 4k off you, give you 8weeks basic training and then leave you to it - unprepared for life as a spark. As said before, they promise everything and deliver nothing.

Im not. READ what I've posted!

You get experience by:

a) in being a supported apprentice, and also,
b) doing the job post qualifying say 8 weeks.

Imagine this, a man (MAN A) does 8 weeks, OK? Goes out safely and does work for himself or a business for 2-3 years.

Scenario 2

An apprentice (MAN B) goes to college does 3 years

Does either man know more or less that the other? Yes, one may have different experiences than the other, but they are both experienced time served electricians.

 

[IT SPARKY]

I was referring to the op not you lol, he said he had taken a socket off a socket not a spur off a socket, what is it when you take a socket off another one? answer a spur,

Sorry, that's all right then, Yes exactly, he's brave ill give him that (Thomas that is)

 

[Thomas240280]

I was referring to the op not you lol, he said he had taken a socket off a socket not a spur off a socket, what is it when you take a socket off another one? answer a spur,

No I definelty took a socket off a socket, I asked one of the fitters in work what a spur was and he pointed at a switch next to one of the wall heaters, I didn't use one of those I used a socket and cable off old extension lead as it was only a few inches needed to go through wall into bathroom. And it must be ok to use because I've plugged the extension lead in to the sockets and its been fine for years.

The only person I'm getting any sense out of it IT. Do you do the nic exam? I will just do exam if I can so it is cheaper and quicker.

 

[markc123]

Im not. READ what I've posted!

You get experience by:

a) in being a supported apprentice, and also,
b) doing the job post qualifying say 8 weeks.

Imagine this, a man (MAN A) does 8 weeks, OK? Goes out safely and does work for himself or a business for 2-3 years.

Scenario 2

An apprentice (MAN B) goes to college does 3 years

Does either man know more or less that the other? Yes, one may have different experiences than the other, but they are both experienced time served electricians.

:nono:

Can't even believe you think 8weeks and then work for yourself is acceptable. I actually give up.

 

[Guest111]

No I definelty took a socket off a socket, I asked one of the fitters in work what a spur was and he pointed at a switch next to one of the wall heaters, I didn't use one of those I used a socket and cable off old extension lead as it was only a few inches needed to go through wall into bathroom. And it must be ok to use because I've plugged the extension lead in to the sockets and its been fine for years.

The only person I'm getting any sense out of it IT. Do you do the nic exam? I will just do exam if I can so it is cheaper and quicker.

anything taken of a socket is classed as a spur,the thing with a switch on is called a switched fused spur,your second question no you cannot join the NICEIC without being able to produce qualifications,you will also have to show them examples of your work and be able to answer questions on a range of things,added to this you will have to have calibrated test equipment and be able to demonstrate how to use it when carrying out an inspection and test,would you like me to go on?

 

[Geordie Spark]

In my day, if you failed to become an electrician you took a job driving a fork lift truck.

 

[simpson93]

let this thread die already? why are you trying to educate a troll >.<

 

[IT SPARKY]

Just to add, I went to neighbour house the other day, nuisance tripping, scorch marks on the artex! He'd been to B&* got a new load of light fitting with 8 bulbs per fitting (really pretty ones) and repeated all throughout the hallway & kitchen. The guy had overloaded the circuit to the point that the wires where getting so hot the artex was burning! He had kids in the house, needless to say I had to advise him and replaced circuit and all with new LED circa 3w bulbs.

Its just scary what unqualified people will do to save money!

Its dangerous when you have a little knowledge peeps, call out a qualified & experienced electrician.

 

[Thomas240280]

anything taken of a socket is classed as a spur,the thing with a switch on is called a switched fused spur,your second question no you cannot join the NICEIC without being able to produce qualifications,you will also have to show them examples of your work and be able to answer questions on a range of things,added to this you will have to have calibrated test equipment and be able to demonstrate how to use it when carrying out an inspection and test,would you like me to go on?

Well can't I just sit the exam, get the qualification and use the socket I put in for nic example

 

[IT SPARKY]

:nono:

Can't even believe you think 8weeks and then work for yourself is acceptable. I actually give up.

Why not Mark?

- - - Updated - - -

Why not Mark?

You've got start somewhere. . .

 

[Spudnik]

We have been here numerous times before.

I haven't had time to read through the whole thread but I'm assuming he has all the info he needs.