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

 

[westward10]

What type of work did you do on this twelve month commercial site.

 

[LankyWill]

Definitely going to work towards my level 3

I never complained once about the money mate, Was just stating that I'm willing to start from the beginning but if after a year in site nothing is still leant then it gets frustrating

Stick on the forum and read some of the threads, their full of useful information. I have learnt loads from reading others posts and picked up a few useful tips. I must admit containment is very boring but necessary, try an industrial setting as they are more hands on.

 

[Notyetaspark]

Stick on the forum and read some of the threads, their full of useful information. I have learnt loads from reading others posts and picked up a few useful tips. I must admit containment is very boring but necessary, try an industrial setting as they are more hands on.

Cheers man, appreciate the feedback

 

[polo1]

Sadly, many of the larger companies use apprentices and adult trainees as gofers, and don't commit to actually ensuring that you get a range of experience/training. I don't agree with others that 12 months of just installing containment is acceptable for an apprentice/adult trainee. If however, you are working as an electrician's mate, then the work is what the work is.....containment, drawing in cables or whatever.
The trade is in a shambolic state wrt ensuring that people completing their training have well rounded skills & experience.

 

[Notyetaspark]

Sadly, many of the larger companies use apprentices and adult trainees as gofers, and don't commit to actually ensuring that you get a range of experience/training. I don't agree with others that 12 months of just installing containment is acceptable for an apprentice/adult trainee. If however, you are working as an electrician's mate, then the work is what the work is.....containment, drawing in cables or whatever.
The trade is in a shambolic state wrt ensuring that people completing their training have well rounded skills & experience.

Thank you mate. This was my feelings on the situation as well but seems like that's just how it is at the moment.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Thank you mate. This was my feelings on the situation as well but seems like that's just how it is at the moment.

 

[Notyetaspark]

View attachment 37361

Someone wants attention

 

[Des 56]

It does appear that you have tried the recommended means of getting practical experience,you have forfeited a good wage as well to pursue your chosen career

It seems unfortunate that what you experienced was to become little more than a adult gofer
Personally,I think you have invested enough in your pursuit to warrant a better return than you have currently had
There are many,myself included, who bemoan the current trend of people getting qualification and practising the trade with the minimum of hands on experience,in your case it appears the experience you gained was far less than could have been hoped for
Have you thought about using agencies to fill the gap ? or perhaps even creating your own work doing smaller domestic jobs
Try getting in with a small scale industrial installation contractor,it will possibly be varied experience and a rising profile in that type of employment

 

[Notyetaspark]

It does appear that you have tried the recommended means of getting practical experience,you have forfeited a good wage as well to pursue your chosen career

It seems unfortunate that what you experienced was to become little more than a adult gofer
Personally,I think you have invested enough in your pursuit to warrant a better return than you have currently had
There are many,myself included, who bemoan the current trend of people getting qualification and practising the trade with the minimum of hands on experience,in your case it appears the experience you gained was far less than could have been hoped for
Have you thought about using agencies to fill the gap ? or perhaps even creating your own work doing smaller domestic jobs
Try getting in with a small scale industrial installation contractor,it will possibly be varied experience and a rising profile in that type of employment

Agencies are definitely a good shout to fill the voids. Will keep trying to find work with the smaller firms as well because after seeing some of the feedback on here it seems becoming a runner instead of learning is quite the norm on a lot of sites.

 

[uksrevivor]

Have a quiet word with your employer / mentor tell him what your future goals are and ask him if he would consider teaching you more, the problem lies on industrial/ commercial installs when you have to be watched over or you are watching a qualified spark install 3 phase boards and equipment its not cost effective for the employer if you get what i mean. Everyone has to start somewhere though so maybe try an approach of when i get this cable tray / conduit installed can i oversee you working on the circuit boards. It may just work and might make your employer/ mentor realise you want to progress. Its a long road to being trusted on the job but worth it in the end. Fair play to you for retraining and dropping money to do so keep at it if you can its worth it in the end buddy.

 

[Notyetaspark]

Have a quiet word with your employer / mentor tell him what your future goals are and ask him if he would consider teaching you more, the problem lies on industrial/ commercial installs when you have to be watched over or you are watching a qualified spark install 3 phase boards and equipment its not cost effective for the employer if you get what i mean. Everyone has to start somewhere though so maybe try an approach of when i get this cable tray / conduit installed can i oversee you working on the circuit boards. It may just work and might make your employer/ mentor realise you want to progress. Its a long road to being trusted on the job but worth it in the end. Fair play to you for retraining and dropping money to do so keep at it if you can its worth it in the end buddy.

Good advice mate.
Thanks.

 

[uksrevivor]

It worked for me m8 im 45 and retrained as well it really is worth it in the end i can assure you.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Someone wants attention

no ,just making a statement for people bleating like a sheep.

 

[Notyetaspark]

It worked for me m8 im 45 and retrained as well it really is worth it in the end i can assure you.

Did you start as a mate and stay with one employer or bounce around job to job?
And was this all on commercial as well?

 

[Notyetaspark]

no ,just making a statement for people bleating like a sheep.View attachment 37362

Boring as ---- now mate.