Help a newbie

[oWESTYo]

Hi All

Im a 30 year old guys who has always regretted not getting into a trade when I left school because I needed the cash to support my kid so didn’t have much choice.

Anyway I have been thinking for years about becoming a sparky however I want to read up on it first to see if it really is my thing before perusing it. Can you guys point me in the direction of any books or web sites I could read to establish if this is my bag?

Cheers Westy

 

[banny07]

hi and welcome

 

[oldtimer]

welcome

First of all have you done any electrics in the past ? The reason I ask is that it is not easy picking this up at 30 i am 50 and start on the 14th edition and I am now up to the 17th + Inspection and testing.

My advise is see what courses are available and find a spark who you can labour to other than that its down to staying power and being humble enough to learn from others. other than that all the best.

 

[dufjax]

Hi oWESYo

Welcome aboard.

Think oldtimer is right when he says labouring for a local spark (probably fro free to start) would be a really good any to see if you like it or not. Most of the guys I went to college with are no longer sparks and to be honest you could tell then that they didn't really want to be there.

I would avoid the 5 day wonder courses these seem to be alot of money and you still might find this isn't for you.

Jim

 

[oWESTYo]

welcome

First of all have you done any electrics in the past ? The reason I ask is that it is not easy picking this up at 30 i am 50 and start on the 14th edition and I am now up to the 17th + Inspection and testing.

My advise is see what courses are available and find a spark who you can labour to other than that its down to staying power and being humble enough to learn from others. other than that all the best.

Hi mate. I have been reading a number of posts since joining and they don’t seem to be the most encouraging.

I have done basic stuff like wiring lights and plugs in my house but nothing major. My brother packed in his office job a few years back at the age of 22 and became a plumbing apprentice and is in the middle of doing his gas. Only problem with this I cant afford to take the pay cut he has and don’t really know what my options are.

My head is telling me you cant substitute for being an apprentice however could I get myself to a level where I wont kill everyone in sight and teach myself the rest as a go along. Its seems like a pipe dream after what I have been reading though and I may have missed the boat a few years back.

Hi oWESYo

Welcome aboard.

Think oldtimer is right when he says labouring for a local spark (probably fro free to start) would be a really good any to see if you like it or not. Most of the guys I went to college with are no longer sparks and to be honest you could tell then that they didn't really want to be there.

I would avoid the 5 day wonder courses these seem to be alot of money and you still might find this isn't for you.

Jim

Hi Jim

Do you have any idea if there are any books on the basics out there where i can read up on the theory of the job? if i can grasp the theory it will give me some idea if its for me.

 

[dufjax]

I may have missed the boat a few years back.

Naah not at all.

You don't have to give up work to do the odd bit labouring. I wouldn't try training and going it along at the moment not to be too negative.
Even us well established (15 years today!!! Just noticed, looked at the date.. anyway) are finding it hard.

As for books.... it depends on what you (and courses) you intend doing.
A good set of book I've just brought is.
Electrical Installation Work by Trevor Linsley (published by Newnes)
Managed to find the two for about £25 (inc P&P) off Amazon.
It's the books they use at college (well the one the lads at).

I would avoid paying out the £80 for the regs, it's not the easiest read and probably would put you off.


Hope that's helped a bit , I'm sure the other guys on here have their own recommendations on a good read.


Jim

 

[oWESTYo]

Cheers Jim

 

[oldtimer]

You have not missed the boat or that you are too old but you do need staying power and are willing to learn.

Rememberif you have the willpower then no probs and all the best but if you throw the book to one side and find yourself sitting with a cup of tea and watching all the soaps then you have your answer.

Also dont think for a moment I look down on anybody who has not served their time in fact I have worked with some guys who could not put a nut in a monkeys mouth so to speak so the trade does suffer from this modern condition of "well who cares" and "why do it right when you can cheat" so again stick in why. Because I am 50 and I am "retraining" because in case you did not notice times are a changing.