Electrician or electrical engineer

[Darkwood]

Depends if you want to be the man paying to lick the ice-cream or the man who designs the ice-cream machine with all the free samples you ever need

PS Electrical Engineering isn't a walk in the park to learn you need a good IQ and at least top marks in maths and Physics in the dumbed down education system ...its one of the few trades that still commands a good intellect.... but dont let me discourage you if your confident go for it there is going to be a big gap in the market soon as already is.

 

[scammell man]

Back to original question: That's a big career decision. I've been a chartered electrical engineer for many years and have recently registered with Napit as an electricain. I work with some guys who started on the tools and are now qualified Engineers. There are some questions you need to ask yourself and anwer honestly. Then you will know which way to go.

1) If engineer what level do you aspire to. EngTech, IEng, CEng and why?

2) Are you good at Maths and exams, this may help you answer 1

3) Are you practical or theoretical ?

4) If you go engineer, what field do you want to work in?

5) how long do you want to be broke and study for

6) Have you looked at apprenticships with large companies that offer tuition paid education up to whatever level you wish to go?

My own observations are that the best engineers are also highly practical, which helps avoid some of the strange requests engineers have been known to make. If you start on the tools you experiences will make latter changes to your career path easier. However that path to the top will probably take longer.

 

[Darkwood]

Mine was in response to the original query and i took the long path doing up to approve sparky first before learning the engineering side ... its an empty swimming pool where i am now all the old hats retiring and no or little new blood and those that do arrive has no clue about the old stuff so i hold a good niche hence i dont advertise just word of mouth

 

[Silly Sausage]

Back to original question:

Looking at the OP, I think your man is looking at ONC(?)/HNC kind of level at the moment.
Being 17, he obviously hasn't reached A level standard yet, so full Degree is out of the question.
I would recommend he goes for an electrical engineering apprenticeship. Then take it from there.
The run of the mill practical experience he'd gain in the meantime will/should make him a better Engineer in the end.

 

[Benefc123]

Thanks for all the replies guys . I not really into the design side of it. I would much prefer to build the components so I think being an electrical technician is the way to go . The apprenticeship is the route I want to take so I will look out for some . If I did get an apprenticeship as an technician how would I go about get the qualifications for the installation side of it . I'm already doing the level 2 qualification so I'm keen to work on the installation side but would like both as it opens more job opportunities if ever I wanted a career change or lost my job

 

[Maddison]

Where I'm working at the moment there are lots of " engineers ". All nice shiny iPads taking photos of work thats been carried out. nice clean shirts. and trousers up to their shoulders. Just generally think they are above the tradesmen on this site because they have a " degree ". Ohh and just to finish my rant the sparkies earn about $50.000 a year more than the engineers so the grass isn't always greener if your not time served in my opinion .

 

[Benefc123]

Thanks for the replies . I don't really want to get into the design side of it. I am interested in building and maintenance of the components like a electrical technician. What's the wage prospects of a technician and how would I be able to get the full electricians certificates

 

[Engineer54]

Where I'm working at the moment there are lots of " engineers ". All nice shiny iPads taking photos of work thats been carried out. nice clean shirts. and trousers up to their shoulders. Just generally think they are above the tradesmen on this site because they have a " degree ". Ohh and just to finish my rant the sparkies earn about $50.000 a year more than the engineers so the grass isn't always greener if your not time served in my opinion .

Heard all this sort of rubbish before!! So what sort of hours are these sparkies having to put in, to earn this extra $50K a year then, over and above the Engineers 9 to 5 / 5 days a week??

 

[Knobhead]

With high income comes high stress or nervous exhaustion. Take my word, neither are worth it.

Guess why I retired early?

 

[Silly Sausage]

Au contraire, I've generally found the complete opposite!

 

[ackbarthestar]

Hi I'm 17 and currently at college studying a level 2 qualifaction in electrical installation which I am enjoying . However I have an interview for a company who repair Industrial pcb's ,controls and drivers I was just wondering what is the best way to go should I look for electrical engineering apprenticeships or look for electricans and installation apprenticeships. I enjoy both electronics and the installation side but which is the best career. What are the pros and cons for both jobs and could I get still get an electricians qualifactions if I choosen the engineering side. Obviously you get a trade for life with being an electrcian

I've read the other answers and added a little piquancy of my own, albeit as an aside....

But they haven't got to the crux..

Engineering as a profession starts as a hands on understanding and continues for the rest of your life, as an exploration of materials and the art of practical physics, maths and Chemistry.

Some of the most entertaining Engineers spend their time building, experimenting, developing new ideas and grasping why accepted ideas exist.
The thoughts are always there in their boiler suits - and they are the best electricians, gas fitters, HVAc guys I've ever met.

If you have to turn up for a presentation one evening in someone else's Ferrari the next day you are in your work gear building a machine to prove a point the next day.

You can also roll in the muller, but the ideas have to be yours and patented.....

 

[Dizzy_Maskell]

May have been answered but short on time so can't read all replies sorry.

When I was starting my apprenticeship I had same dilemma but was advised a good electrical engineer can become an electrician but it isn't do easy vise versa

After going down the engineering route I see why and it's true in my opinion anyway.

I learnt so much more in an engineering environment drilling, tapping, bits if welding, control systems, metals, pipe work and HVAC stuff. It is so much more diverse in an engineering job than doing houses all day.