Help Please guys!

[Myles27]

Hi all, this is a re-post as I didnt have much luck in the business section.


I Hope you may be able to advise me on this.

I am 27, currently working an office job in the public sector and frankly I'm sick to death of it!!

I have always been interested in trades particularly the electrical sector and certainly regret not going in to something like this when I left school.

So...i've made the decision that I wan't to train to be an electrician. I am serious and do understand that this is going to be very hard indeed (Especially at the grand old age of 27!!lol), but I am focoused and ditermind to get out of what im doing and suceed in this new venture.

I really don't want to go down the route of holding up a bank and then paying £800000... and be qualified next week, because I don't think this is something that can be learned in that way...

I have started collecting names and adresses of local firms with the intention of writing to them to ask to be considered for an apprenticeship.

I could do with any tips you guys may have on what to include in my letter, cv etc that employers would be looking for and how to best word things?? I have spent a little time on a job watching a friend in the trade fitting a consumer unit and doing a bit of wiring, do you think I should even mention this? Asside from this I have no industry experience...

This is a lot to ask but I would certainly appreciate any thing you could suggest.

Many thanks in advance

Myles​

 

[electromonkey]

Hi Myles27

I basically went down this route a few years ago. I had to take a big pay cut and take work anywhere I could get it. At one point, I was working for three different sparks on different days of the week as none could offer me full time work.

I basically made a pest of myself with regular phone calls to anyone who didn't give a flat refusal and eventually it paid off. If you have no electrical qualifications, enthusiasm can be very effective.

 

[Des 56]

Stay in your current job,go to college and do the nvq or whatever else they call it now
Be patient


Whilst studying,do as you suggest but tout yourself as a mate,you may have more success

Initially had hoc weekend work may be a lot easier to find and will still get you hands on experience

Give it three years or so and you will have the tools to go with your ambition

 

[Inteificio]

I did this too a year back and love it.

If you think quals were expensive for you, I went to uni so got no support financially.

Get as many qualifications out of the way as possible, you can get the 2330 (most important), 17th (cheap and easy if you take 2330 first), and AM2 (tough if not had experience).

You do not need to be employed with those and they will get you the "provisional electrician" title on your JIB card and full sparky pay. Also get your CSCS, ECS is better but most people do not ask for it.

No company will want to take you on as they have to pay ALOT for your training. Get your training done first. It will seem like a lot of money but you will start on higher pay and it will cover it.

Phone lots of companies and ask for their advice. Explain that you are new to the trade and are looking for advice. I would also say you are not totally sure which area of the market you want to go in to and volunteer your service. I would not offer it for free as you will give the impression you are worthless.

Finally one important step is find someone with sales experience to teach you how to negotiate. If you do not know how to speak to someone and persuade you will make your job harder, much harder.

Just re-read your OP.
You have a friend who is a sparky!! Get MONTHS of experience with him! If he cannot pay you live off a loan. Think of this as going back to Uni, for the next few years you will have a negligible income but a high paid job afterwards. Work with your friend until you are a benefit not a drain to him and keep working.

I would not send letters to companies without a call first.
Phone up the company, say you are looking for advise on joining the electrical market and who you should speak to. Say you would appreciate the time to meet in person, and ask if they would like some details sent across before. Ask what they want sent. Commit to a time to call back to check if details are OK. Arrange a time to meet, either in their premesis or business lunch somewhere (you would be amazed who will give you the time of day for free lunch).

Lots of info there, can't be bothered to order it nicely sorry.

All I can say is I waited until I was 29 before making the decision, I LOVED IT.
I got to work looking forwards to the day, enjoy the achievement of the day, and don't mind working late as I am having fun.

The longer you put off this decision the harder it will get!

 

[Myles27]

Thanks so much for that guys that is exactly the sort of info I needed, really excellent advice to get stuck in to.

It’s going to be a long and tough road but I will get there, bloody sure of it!!

Unfortunately my mate who I went out with (a self employed qualified sparks) has just set up on his own and is unable to 'take me on' as such, but has made it clear that I am welcome out with him anytime to watch/lend a hand. I will take full advantage of this, but of course I am somewhat restricted financially as I have to make a basic wage each month.

 

[nick182]

College is a good way to go.. I highly recommend speaking to trade skills for you.. they are competive with prices and will go to the ends of the earth for you. The teachers there are fantastic. I learnt so much from them and in my opinion one thing that will definetely help you to get there is to read Books!

U will need.

Electricians Guide to Building Regulations.
Bs7671:2008 On Site Guide
17th Edition Building regulations
Guidence Note 3
Brian Scadden Electrical Installation Work
level 3 Electrical Installation
and lastly Advanced Electrical Installation Work (for maths equations etc)

these books will help you through it... Id also HIGHLY recommend signing up to LearningLounge.com and watch their videos.

Read those books, watch the vids and thats basically level 2 and 3, 2330. plus ur 17th edition on top of your part P sorted..

Pat Testing (portable appliance Testing)will also give you a great understanding of how things work too and you will need the Inservice testing and inspection text book for that which is great aswell...

good luck mate...

 

[nick182]

also.. i forgot to mention.. try and get in with some builders/plumbers and other trades. I have a few builders and plumbers who i regularly keep in touch with and we pass work on to each other back and forth.

Find a decent supplier who will give u trade price. U can normally get a free account with them and pay at the end of the month. I can recommend a few if u like. Its helpful to have more than one.

Anything else need not only but ask..