Electrician Starting

[KJBO]

Hey everyone, i hope this is the right place for this thread, i was looking for some advise and feedback. I'm currently 18, i left school at 16, jumped into a media course because at the time i used to use the computer alot and thought that it would suit me the most, however 3 of my friends were doing electrical installation level 2 course, 2330 level 2 or what have you. I decided i had to get out of my course and tried jumping into that, but where i started the year late, i had to do the basic course (level 1), so i completed that, and i completed level 2 last year, now im on my final year (level 3) - inspection and testing. I haven't really done much electrical work, had some site experience from work with my dad but that's from painting, not electrical or anything, and i just feel like i know NOTHING, literally, if i was asked to do something electrical, id mess it up or wouldn't know where to begin. And i keep hearing about it's all experience, today i started a job with someone to do with the family, and it was such a poor job, in a loft, covered in dust and all, no where to move just hell, but im guessing you get bad jobs, it's just i felt like most of the day i was doing nothing, i was asking questions and all, but none of it sinks in or seems to interest me at all.

When i did some work on the boards in level 2 pratical, as long as i knew what i was doing, then i enjoyed it, if i know what to do in terms of wiring and all (don't have a scooby) then id enjoy it more, but i don't know what im going to do, i feel as if ive wasted the past 2 years?

My dad says to stick to it, but to be honest im really not finding it enjoyable, i know work isn't fun, but as least be able to get on with things and find it ok.

 

[AlanWirral]

Welcome to the Forum mate on behalf of everyone I'm new too and there is a wealth of knowledge and stuff to read on here so stick around.

Funny enough I’m in the same boat as you (college wise) but almost everyway else i'm not lol

I'm 29 and have been working with a qualified electrician for the time ive been at college. Your right unfortunately : ( the job isn't what i first thought it would be. The amount of times I’ve been in lofts in the baking heat with sweat dripping off my nose...under a house crawling around getting sliced open by old slate or outside in the bitter cold fitting lights or laying cable thinking ...WHY OH WHY DO I BOTHER!!!

But then most jobs other than office jobs can be tough at times, most days i'm inside sorting problems or fitting a new CU with the radio on and making a nice job out of it. It all comes down to how well you can do the job not just for the customer but for you.

At the moment if I’m honest I consider myself an Electrician. Albeit without my last years paperwork but I have my 2392 Inspection & Testing qualification and enough experience in the game to get me by (although you NEVER stop learning)

You need to get stuck in with an employer..get paid rubbish and watch the way the pro's do there jobs. It all comes in time but it will come in the end.

Good luck

 

[KJBO]

Everyone in my house is so depressed, i was fine yesterday, but today after work i feel terrible, so badly fed up and depressed, never been this bad but its getting to the point where i feel it's not worth living, yeah over-exaggeration but it's how i feel, the thought of going back there tomorrow, i'll try it tomorrow if it's still **** that's it.

It seems so much work i don't think i can even get through my 3rd year, for a average salary all this training, what's after level 3, another 3 years or so for basic 26k?

Should i just stop now.

 

[AlanWirral]

Mate I here what your saying.

In my first job I was a sheet metal worker and it was horrendous! Like you say everyday I wanted to top myself! To be honest mate it dosnt sound like it's for you :-( try looking for something whilst you still have work though it's not good being out of work(like I am now!)

 

[Lucas]

It's always tough the first couple of months. When you're the youngest you get the rubbish job's like in the loft getting covered in Rockwall and coughing your guts up but when you start learning then it becomes alot more worthwhile. Keep with it

 

[GrannySmiff]

Mate if you can get "26k basic" for doing that and its too much for you then find something else, sound like your a bit wrapped up in cotton wool some days are good some are bad, THats the way it is in most walks of life.

People have been working harder for less for years, thats not to say we have it easy as at this current time for newbies in the elecrical trade things are looking bleak and you try getting that 26k basic your talking about especially with your approach to be fair.

What other options do you have?

 

[AlanWirral]

Yeah that's true too! If you manage to get a steady 26K in this climate i'd say your lucky

 

[KJBO]

But i always hear about how electricians is a high paid job and "good money", i don't mind wiring up stuff that i know and all, and i didn't mind electrical too much before i started yesterday, and it's like ive lost the will to live, and im not even doing most of the work, i know you get **** days and good jobs, and that's a good thing instead of sitting in the same office 360 days a year. It could be were it's all new to me but im finding it hard work, i know some days it's hard graff, but i thought out of the building trade electrician was possibly the best job, and highest paid. It seems like you go to college qualify and all and it's not high paid, or is it? What do electricians earn? Where you could be a painter with no qualifications and earn say 2 or 3 grand less.

Am i missing something?

 

[J@mes]

Not knowing how to do something and finding out how to do it properly is most of the fun for me! If you don't stretch yourself you will get very bored very quickly of doing things you know day in day out. It is well paid if you put the effort in, have the right customer base and get a good reputation. If you don't, it's probably not very well paid. It's got a lot worse paid since the downturn and since the trade was flooded with everyone who has done a 5 day course, and thinks they are going to be an electrician earning £50K a year

To be honest if you worked for me and had "lost the will to live" after one crap day I'd bin you off. Being the new starter is hard - you get the rubbish jobs, you get dirty and might get bored. I spent 3 years as an apprentice for a railway engineering firm - if you want a rough ride, come work on the railway - I got terrorised every single day but stuck it out, got involved with the banter but above all I paid attention, learnt what I needed to and won respect for being hard working, attentive and for doing good quality work.

Sometimes I wish I was sat in an office (I do have an office with a desk/ laptop/ kettle) which helps and sometimes I desperately want to be there - when its freezing, raining, windy and I'm working outside. Other times when I am stuck at my desk, doing paperwork when it's blazing sunshine I beg to be out grafting!

rough with the smooth, it does get better and if you put the effort in and learn the trade you will do fine. But I think your "lost the will to live after one day" attitude needs a serious rethink.

 

[Guest123]

The grass is always greener.............according to the 'for profit' training centres!


You've had one day on the tools and your acting like someone shot your dog!!! My advice......find another career this one obviously doesn't sit well with you.

 

[KJBO]

What's that mean Lenny?

 

[Guest123]

Whats it mean......well you're coming across like a spoilt brat frankly, you want all the fame and money but dont want to work for it. In this current climate I'd be greatful for a job if I were you as there are literally thousands that havn't.


Your attitude reminds me of Kevin the teenager off the Fast show.....it's so unfair!!

 

[KJBO]

Oh no im not greatful i am, and i am aware of how hard it is to get a job i myself haven't had one for months, it's just i thought things would be a lot better than this and i don't want it to seem like ive wasted the last 2 years of my life in education.

 

[J@mes]

seriously fella, if you still feel like this in a year then maybe...but at least stick it out so you get a balanced view of the job!!!

 

[Guest123]

Everyone starts somewhere we were all tea boys at one stage IMO it's just part of the learning curve. 18 months - 2 years from now things will be different you will more than likely have your own van and be running around trying to run 5 or 6 jobs and wishing you were that tea boy again.

The money is more or less pants! dont let anyone tell you diferent. The most an employed 'spark' with a few years experience can hope to earn in this climate is £25 - £30K.

Obviously there are exceptions such as those who have been with a company for 15 - 20 years and are now 'supervisors' but it is quite rare.