Difficult gaining experience.....

[Notyetaspark]

Hello everyone,

Could really do with some advice on the best way to go about continuing my learning to become an electrician.

Currently working with a local spark for the last 4 months but he can only give me 2/3 days per week if that. When I'm with him I feel I'm definitely learning but I'm 34 years of age with a family to support and 2/3 days a week wage just isn't sustainable for much longer.
Before this I worked as a mate on more commercial sites for about a year but didn't even get to look at a wire or anything to do with electrics really apart from a ---- load of plastic conduiting.
Is this how it is when trying to gain experience working commercial?
Seems like everyone gets assigned their role and that's all they will really do for the most part. No real learning gained from it to be honest.

Got my level 2 and 17th edition and want to work towards my gold card eventually but just don't feel I'm going to get the opportunity working as a mate on commercial sites.

How did some of you who were adult learners with no time to waste get there and if you had to do it again or if you was in my situation what route would you take?

Appreciate any feedback

 

[davesparks]

'Electricians mate' as a job description is just a labourer with a few extra brain cells, it's not necessarily a training position unless you are lucky or it is specifically agreed with the employer.

Don't take on a job as a 'mate' expecting to be treated like an apprentice or trainee, it's a labouring position so expect to be treated as such.

 

[davesparks]

'Electricians mate' as a job description is just a labourer with a few extra brain cells, it's not necessarily a training position unless you are lucky or it is specifically agreed with the employer.

Don't take on a job as a 'mate' expecting to be treated like an apprentice or trainee, it's a labouring position so expect to be tried as such.

 

[Notyetaspark]

'Electricians mate' as a job description is just a labourer with a few extra brain cells, it's not necessarily a training position unless you are lucky or it is specifically agreed with the employer.

Don't take on a job as a 'mate' expecting to be treated like an apprentice or trainee, it's a labouring position so expect to be treated as such.

Rarely if ever,do I see jobs advertised as trainee though.
I thought being a 'mate' was the way to go.

 

[davesparks]

Rarely if ever,do I see jobs advertised as trainee though.
I thought being a 'mate' was the way to go.

That's proabaly because the normal route in to the job is as an apprentice, and it is cheaper to train an apprentice than an adult trainee.

You might be lucky and receive training as a mate, but it is not automatically a part of the job.

 

[casperLennon]

Have you tried asking if you can do more? When I started at level two I didn't know anything, different kettle of fish on site. But watch others and ask to help. If it's for agencies it's totally up to you to push yourself. Do you have any friends who are sparks?

 

[buzzlightyear]

op, thought about sending you cv to company's or look on this forum.
loads of jobs down in smokes. (London ).

 

[Notyetaspark]

Have you tried asking if you can do more? When I started at level two I didn't know anything, different kettle of fish on site. But watch others and ask to help. If it's for agencies it's totally up to you to push yourself. Do you have any friends who are sparks?

Got a few friends that I've put the word out to that all mainly work domestic.
If I go down the agency route then maybe I will eventually land a job with a firm that can see I'm keen to learn and might let me learn a bit more as I work? Any chance of that you reckon?

 

[Notyetaspark]

op, thought about sending you cv to company's or look on this forum.
loads of jobs down in smokes. (London ).

Your right mate, there is bundles of work, especially for electricians and mates and was actually going to start jumping back on the sites as a mate.
That's why I just wanted to get people's feedback on whether that is the best road to go down due to having a bit of a shitty experience the first time round.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Got a few friends that I've put the word out to that all mainly work domestic

to do domestic work,
have you got liability for the work. weather you have 17th edition .

 

[casperLennon]

I've mostly always worked for agencies. Been on the books three times and didn't really like it. Get a decent agency and they'll keep you going. I've been offered jobs with the company's I've subbed to so just keep going. Be the very best at conduit, earn trust and you'll move up. It's a snowball effect when it gets going.

 

[Notyetaspark]

to do domestic work,
have you got liability for the work. weather you have 17th edition .

If you mean have I got public liability insurance then yes, I was a painter by trade before and still do privates here and there between being a mate.

 

[Notyetaspark]

I've mostly always worked for agencies. Been on the books three times and didn't really like it. Get a decent agency and they'll keep you going. I've been offered jobs with the company's I've subbed to so just keep going. Be the very best at conduit, earn trust and you'll move up. It's a snowball effect when it gets going.

That's good to hear and to know that it is possible to do it that way then.

 

[buzzlightyear]

If you mean have I got public liability insurance then yes, I was a painter by trade before and still do privates

is this for electrics or paint a wall !

 

[Notyetaspark]

is this for electrics or paint a wall !

My employers have got that covered mate

 

[buzzlightyear]

My employers have got that covered mate

no ,only for their work , not for you doing foreigners.