Converting from IT Techie to Sparky - need some practical experience

[Msitekkie]

Having worked in the IT industry, I'm now looking to convert to a domestic Electrician. I have completed a basic electricians course and did my 17th Edition recently, but realise I need practical on the job experience as an Electricians Mate.
I have been using a screwdriver since I was about 5 years old (I like to know how things work!) and have a fair bit of DIY experience, including some basic electrical. Have own transport and tools.
Good attitude, reliable and ready to be taught.
The IT background should help with any home networking/Smart home work.
Currently preparing for C&G 2393-10 "Part P" exam and looking to do Inspection & Testing after that.

 

[snowhead]

Why would you go from I.T to Domestic installer?

 

[Cadgey123]

Why would you go from I.T to Domestic installer?

Probably wants a change from sitting in an office for 40hrs a week.

The money might be better, but it sure is great doing something different everyday and getting outdoors.

 

[SparkyChick]

Welcome to the forums and good luck

Why would you change from IT to doing electrical work... IT ain't all it's cracked up to be, lots of people think it's a nice cushy job, but it can be a nightmare. On more than one occasion I've had a near miss with mental health issues from job related stress (I was a software/research and design engineer).

Best thing I ever did was decide to use my other more practical skill set, so much more satisfying

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Welcome to the forums and good luck

Why would you change from IT to doing electrical work... IT ain't all it's cracked up to be, lots of people think it's a nice cushy job, but it can be a nightmare. On more than one occasion I've had a near miss with mental health issues from job related stress (I was a software/research and design engineer).

Best thing I ever did was decide to use my other more practical skill set, so much more satisfying

I fully get what you mean. we all have skillsets and sometimes it takes people longer than others to find their niche skill. i am all for people switching career in later life. sometimes it isnt all about salary either. its about enjoying what you do.

 

[MisterE]

Welcome to the forum.

Why would you go from I.T to Domestic installer?

I agree with SparkyChick, "IT ain't all it's cracked up to be", I consider myself lucky in that I was involved in the early days of IT when personal computers were just beginning to be used in offices, schools etc. with a background in electronics, then TV / Video repair, installing and repairing computer systems was still a "practical" career. Every few months a new piece of software, hardware or data comms. development kept you on your toes and your juices flowing!
But it was still understandable, if you applied yourself, and they were repairable to component (then board) level.
It then settled down where the hardware became throw away if it was faulty or couldn't keep up with the latest software.
With most homes having at least one pc we saw the growth in the "self taught expert" - "helping out" at work but never admitting what they had done if their efforts caused a greater (and more complicated) problem.
(That would sound very familiar to all the Sparks that have to face / sort out customers after they have visited a "shed" and then attempted to install a new fitting.... )

Then technical support moved from a customer site visit to sitting at a desk and using "remote support" ....even more double guessing what actually happened against what they said happened!

IT (as I see it - but of course I exaggerate!) has become two extremes, low(ish) paid box shifters at one end with very complex jobs at the other, with pressure from management and customers to deliver the almost impossible expectations created by the media and systems sales people.

Sorry for the ramble..... I think you've made a good choice

 

[Squid]

I was an Electrician that went in to data cabling, comms then IT many years ago just before the building trade collapse back in the early 1990's. The money was good but over time the rates came down as the jobs where shifted out to India, if you are at the higher end its still a good living especially contacting as a Limited Co, I should have gone in to Project Management at £600 pd but never did as I liked working hands on and hate doing meetings and Excel spreadsheets and keeping an eye on costs and analysing figures but I had a good few years doing migrations and rollouts.

I can understand the OP, the journey in to town on the tube is soul destroying for the last 5 years I have refused any jobs at Canary Wharf, even the City is ----ed up.

That is why I also joined up on here to get my papers back in order as a fallback plan as once I have finished my projects in London I fancy taking it easy down in Devon or Cornwall and will happily work for pasties and scrumpy.

To the OP post up where you are located as that may help with some offers.

 

[Msitekkie]

Hi all, I'm based in Essex, sure I did put that info up somewhere. I decided to change direction for reasons other than money.
To start with I was made redundant (job went to Russia rather than India) & because what I had been doing in a recent years at a large company was quite specialised/narrow, most jobs I applied for wanted recent experience in other related areas.

IT is a bit of a rat race in terms of keeping up to date, both in terms of knowledge and updating systems, every few years a large percentage of what you know becomes obsolete. Also as pointed out you are usually stuck at a desk. I found myself with mild RSI from using a mouse and recognised something a bit more physical would likely be good health wise. They say learning a new skill later in life is good also for our brains.

Before getting into computers I had thought about being an Electrician and it has frustrated me at times that I have had to call someone else in to do electrical work at home because I like to be able to do things myself. There is an extension project in the pipeline that I'm hoping to use as one of my pieces of work for getting signed up with Elecsa or NAPIT but I will need a friendly Electrician to oversee it...

 

[Msitekkie]

I should say that I realise there is a fair bit of keeping up to date with being an Electrician, but nothing like the IT world.

 

[davesparks]

This job is great, I love it and still enjoy the vast majority of what I do, but being an electrician will probably not be any better for you health wise, possibly even worse.
Your knees and back will suffer, and there is a reasonable chance that you will be accidentally or unwittingly exposed to asbestos and various othe rubbish that really won't do your lungs any favours.
And then there is the possibility of electric shock or arc-flash related injuries, this is of course reduced to a minimum by following good safety practices, but every once in a while you can encounter a situation beyond your control.

 

[Msitekkie]

Maybe sticking to domestic work would help avoid exposure to Asbestos and I guess the worst of arc flash too. Knees & back - is that down to working in confined spaces and lots of kneeling? The latter could probably be mitigated with the right gear.

 

[davesparks]

Maybe sticking to domestic work would help avoid exposure to Asbestos and I guess the worst of arc flash too. Knees & back - is that down to working in confined spaces and lots of kneeling? The latter could probably be mitigated with the right gear.

in non-domestic work exposure to asbestos is heavily regulated and controlled with asbestos surveys being required etc.
In domestic it's anyone's guess what there is or isn't present in the building, usually a lot less than there is in commercial buildings but the basic fact is that old switchgear and fuseboards contain the stuff.

Yes there is a lot of kneeling, plus the inevitable incidents of kneeling on carpet gripper rods, plus the confined spaces.
there's a fair amount of lifting and shifting in the job that you don't realise, one thing is that you will have to move heavy furniture and appliances.