Do an electrical apprenticeship? Or not?

[anley1]

Hey guys,
I’m sure this had been asked here a million times but have read mixed options and wanted some insight. I’ve been working as a chef for 8 years now and want a change. Always wanted to Take up a trade and very interested in becoming an electrician. I’ve been looking into doing an apprenticeship but money is a big concern. We’re expecting a baby in the next couple of months so be a big sacrifice financially but it feels like it could be a wise investment in the long run.

From what I understand as an apprentice I can expect to be paid minimum wage for my first year which will rise gradually over the course of the apprenticeship.
I’m wondering if anyone could share some insight into what the pay may increase to in years 2-4.

While i think the career change would bring a lot of job fulfilment and other benefits (useful skills for building a home later on etc.), getting more money in is a big motivator. For reference, 32-35k is at the high end of what I can realistically earn as a chef and I’m wondering if becoming an electrician makes financial sense in my position. I know I’d earn a lot less for a few years but I have some money set aside.. Basically have to justify getting paid peanuts for a few years if I’m to go down this route and would like to know what kind a position for a newly qualified electrician might pay? Also interested if an apprenticeship can be completed in 3 years instead of 4 as it’s been mentioned but haven’t found any useful info on it.
Thanks !

 

[Hakuhou]

Hey guys,
I’m sure this had been asked here a million times but have read mixed options and wanted some insight. I’ve been working as a chef for 8 years now and want a change. Always wanted to Take up a trade and very interested in becoming an electrician. I’ve been looking into doing an apprenticeship but money is a big concern. We’re expecting a baby in the next couple of months so be a big sacrifice financially but it feels like it could be a wise investment in the long run.

From what I understand as an apprentice I can expect to be paid minimum wage for my first year which will rise gradually over the course of the apprenticeship.
I’m wondering if anyone could share some insight into what the pay may increase to in years 2-4.

While i think the career change would bring a lot of job fulfilment and other benefits (useful skills for building a home later on etc.), getting more money in is a big motivator. For reference, 32-35k is at the high end of what I can realistically earn as a chef and I’m wondering if becoming an electrician makes financial sense in my position. I know I’d earn a lot less for a few years but I have some money set aside.. Basically have to justify getting paid peanuts for a few years if I’m to go down this route and would like to know what kind a position for a newly qualified electrician might pay? Also interested if an apprenticeship can be completed in 3 years instead of 4 as it’s been mentioned but haven’t found any useful info on it.
Thanks !

This video pretty much sums up the three ways to do it:

View: https://youtu.be/lnIP81Ufka8?si=VeETDREZ_0_SFS6-


Honestly having gone through the baby thing I cannot see how you would manage.
To be brutally honest I would shelve your ambitions at least until the kid is in reception.
You can always self study and do all your theory and save up some money until then, then dive in head first once the state sponsored childcare (school) kicks in.

 

[Tom256]

I can certainly confirm that an electrical apprenticeship completed can set you up so you need never be out of work. It is a foundation for life and as for my apprenticeship it is something I now value very highly. Knowing how fortunate I was - although at the time I could easily have dropped out.

I cannot however state how the trade currently stands with regards apprenticeships. It would seem, from what I do hear, that obtaining an apprenticeship is no easy task today. In the 1980's it was almost the default position with firms taking on each year a new intake. Times have sadly changed and people unqualified can I have heard be viewed as a cash drain on a business. Short sighted outlook? Perhaps yet realistically a company could fund a person through an apprenticeship and once qualifed with a company there is then nothing stopping that person from then moving on.
Should the state contribute to apprenticeships as I believe they once did (memory escapes me here ?). Doing so would build a fine foundation for industrial growth.
As such I cannot help any further with your questions yet wish you every success.

For interest these were my earnings (pre-tax) from NORWEB during my apprenticeship. The salary increased with each progression:
Year 1 - £1,189.63
Year 2 - £3,074.30
Year 3 - £ 4265.06
Year 4 - £5606.72
1st year as qualified - £7042.80