Dilemma

[KWCFC]

Hi guys I'm a newly qualified Electrician not long passed AM2 but I'm faced with being let go by the company as for years they have always laid apprentices off when qualified. Most of my work has been in commercial and industrial.

I got a job offer today for a company my uncle works for installing CCTV, burglar alarms e.t.c. The only catch is that they want to pay me £11 an hour for the first 18 months and want me to go back to college in that time (basically doing another apprenticeship). Then JIB electricians rate after that.

One issue I have is possibly doing this sort of work and then forgetting the valuable skills I learnt in the industrial and commercial industry. I might not gland off another SWA or tube out a room with steel conduit again for a long time.

But on the plus side it pretty much guarantees me a secure job for a very long time which is of course invaluable.

I was just looking for the advice from the more experience and wiser heads here? Is it worth it? Are security installers in demand and is a valuable skill to have? Would appreciate your advice!

 

[telectrix]

go for it. suffer the poor wages to start with. a solid career is worth it. try and get a fire alarm qualification as well. tazz will know all the ins and outs of that.

 

[trev]

You may not do those things for a while mate but you'll not forget them, you'll only be a bit rusty. Not so long ago it was 20 years since I'd made a pyro end off and when I was on a job which eventually involved it I jumped at it. The first few ends were slow but I ended up doing 40 odd ends that day. All of them tested clear.
Don't worry about it, look at it as an opportunity to expand your skills into an area which is going to become very, very handy in years to come. Like Tel said, suffer the relatively poor wage. 18 months isn't that long.

 

[trev]

Oh, by the way. Get the hell out of the trainee forum.

 

[KWCFC]

Thanks for the advice guys. I rang the guy back and he's going to arrange an interview over the next couple of days.

Reluctant to post this in the main forum trev in case the guy was a member haha. Cheers for your advice

 

[Paul.M]

Agree with the above, if it works for you financially go for it. It will be another notch on your belt, specially if you get your IFA Fire Alarms quals. Alarms and data are here to stay long term. Learn the industry now and you will know it for the future.

 

[Paul.M]

Oh, by the way. Get the hell out of the trainee forum.

Reluctant to post this in the main forum trev in case the guy was a member haha. Cheers for your advice

Us Mentors need to have a chat about this. Staff meeting in the "pub" over the weekend gents and put our heads together. Look out for the thread.

Trainees, look out for a thread in here at the weekend and have your say. After all, the T/S is run by all of us regardless of tittles.

 

[Poult12]

At least you have that opportunity buddy. I work for a Fire Alarm firm and struggling to get out!! Wages may not be great but better than what i've ever been on so go for it mate.