I want to become a spark. Where do I start?

[Kauto Star]

I'm currently 31 year old out of work shuttering carpenter but have been wanting to move into the electrical game for a couple of years. The thing is this game seems harder to get into than Formula 1. I was just hoping someone could give me some advice. Do I ring round electrical firms asking for work/college apprenticeship? Do I go to a college like OLCIA or trade for skills? What's the first step to becoming an electrician NVQ? 2391? Or am I to old to change trades?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[Kauto Star]

I was worried id get that response Big n daft. The thing is cheap labour and back handers have ****** the building sights as far as shuttering is concerned. They have gangs of non locals walking around like the mafia and I feel it's only time before you have to be part of this crowd before you can get a job. I'd like to be a good/successful spark but if gas/heating is a better option in the long run obviously I'd consider it?

 

[Specialist]

Hi Kauto: Ask yourself this, Is being an Electrician what I really want to do ?. If your answer is yes then GO FOR IT & don't let anyone put you off. I don't think there's actually 1 Trade in the Construction industry you could say is'nt having a hard time at the moment including Plumbing / Heating, but the thing is: Whatever you decide to do then it has to be something your going to enjoy doing or you won't stick at it & make a go of it.
I've been in / around the trade for more years than I care to remember & yep it's got it's downsides but I would'nt change it.

 

[Des 56]

It pains me to say this,but the future is multi skilled, especially self employed
You have one trade and its a handy one for house wiring and plumbing purposes

Get your fingers in as many pies that you can

 

[1shortcircuit]

Get your fingers in as many pies that you can

Considered plastering? I had a quote from a plasterer just a couple of days ago. £150 per day! plus materials!!! Aye carumba!!!

People always want a good plasterer and because there's a huge amount of VISUAL difference it seems they can charge whatever they like?

 

[sbrown2]

I think - listen to the multiskilled advice. Look around you and see what is advertised on peoples vans. Its no longer just NICEIC. You will see NICEIC, HVCA and Gas Safe. Therefore they are keeping knock on business to themselves. If you are a joiner/carpenter can you also look into fitting kitchens.
My day job is multiskilled technician, but my trade is electrical, but my electrical skills alone would not keep me employed.
What ever you do make a decision and then go for it.

 

[Big n Daft]

I was worried id get that response Big n daft. The thing is cheap labour and back handers have ****** the building sights as far as shuttering is concerned. They have gangs of non locals walking around like the mafia and I feel it's only time before you have to be part of this crowd before you can get a job. I'd like to be a good/successful spark but if gas/heating is a better option in the long run obviously I'd consider it?

I didnt mean shuttering, get into 2nd fix stuff and advance yourself towards the top of the wood butchering trade.
High class joinery will always be more sought after than high class 'lectrics. Its only in the industrial and control industries that top class sparks are sought after.

 

[Kauto Star]

I'd love to be multiple skilled but how do you get to that level. If it takes me 4/5 years to be my own man at electrics do I then train as a plumber/heating repair after that. I'm imagining I'll be earning very little while training as an electrician then to train at plumbing I'll be on very little again? Apologise if I'm coming across as blowing smoke. I really want to know as much as I can and work for myself.

 

[Specialist]

You don't nescessarily have to do a full course in Plumbing / Heating / Gas, there are short courses available including night classes probably in your local College.
The idea is that you've got more ways of making money, say for example your with a customer fitting a Socket & she says oh i'll have to call the Plumber because my tank is overflowing. Would'nt it be nice if you were able to say, it's ok you don't need the plumber for that i can do that as well & you make the money ?. If you find your getting a lot of requests for plumbing stuff then you can go further into it, but you've still got your Carpentry / Electrical skills as well.
I'm not a Telecom Engineer or Plumber but I can do a lot of the work that they do, I went on a couple of short courses & read a lot of books on the subjects.

 

[Kauto Star]

Great tips specialist. Appreciate everyone's responses. The job centre was no good to me. They have nothing in terms of electrical or any trade. The closest was learn to drive a fork lift truck. I'll be ringing around tomorrow.

 

[Specialist]

Hi matey: Don't give up, try this: www.direct.gov/uk/en/EducationAndLearning/TrainingAndWorkplaceLearning/index.htm

 

[Guest123]

Electrical Qualifications - Qualifications needed to train to become an electrician in the UK

 

[Mark_Burgess]

Get learning as much as you can of anything and everything.
Yesterdays and todays job was to remove a free standing bath with crappy tap and shower combo, remove tiles, plumb in cold feed and cable to new electric shower, replace tiles and fit a new standard bath.

This customer also wants a new downstairs crapper and tiling, new door frames throughout and the windows above removed and plastered in.

I am happy and confident to do it all except the plastering as that takes me way too long to get right, then that plays up with my back.

If I just stick to electrical work I would be losing out on so much work.

 

[ipf]

Good luck whichever route you take KS. A lot of info out there, get as much as possible and be sure in your mind exactly what you need. Then it's a case of seeing it through without losing heart or interest.
By the way, electric performance at Haydock Park.

 

[ipf]

Get learning as much as you can of anything and everything.
Yesterdays and todays job was to remove a free standing bath with crappy tap and shower combo, remove tiles, plumb in cold feed and cable to new electric shower, replace tiles and fit a new standard bath.

This customer also wants a new downstairs crapper and tiling, new door frames throughout and the windows above removed and plastered in.

I am happy and confident to do it all except the plastering as that takes me way too long to get right, then that plays up with my back.

If I just stick to electrical work I would be losing out on so much work.

We've just had a job on a swimming pool for a regular customer, refixing tiles under water. Hired some scuba diving equipment and went for it.

 

[Kauto Star]

Look out for me on boxing day ipf. Kempton 3.00pm 4/1 at the moment.