Looking at retraining and need advice

[PaulM]

(copied from gen forums, think posted in wrong place there!)

Hi all!

First post so please be gentle

Basically I've worked in IT/Retail Management for around 12 years, company went under 2-3 years ago and I've been seeing out the recession the last couple of years in a 20k "it'll do" job (mortgage has to be paid sadly!).

However, at 36, I recognise that I do not want to be doing this for the next 20yrs and nor do I want to return to my previous career in management or even IT Support (was looking at progressing to MCSE level but I'm really sick of computers!).

So, one love I've always had is of all things electrical, it's something I've always had in the back of my mind but through lack of focus at school/college, never got the chance to pursue (and didn't really have anyone there to give me the guidance/advice/kick up the backside I needed).

Having spoken to my local college today, who first suggested doing an HNC in electrical/engineering, one of the tutors suggested going for the basic installer qualy (think was the 2330 - Southampton City College : 2330 Electrotechnical Technology (B00948)). I'll be looking at doing evening/day release through college although understand this course has now changed to a newer vers.

I'm really looking for advice (I've read many other posts on here but wanted something more personal if that's ok) on where to start. I'm not expecting to go into this just to earn great money, I want to do it because I want to enjoy the rest of my career in a field of work I genuinely respect and have a passion for. Can anyone give an impression of what type of what to expect when starting out? (other than making the sparky tea all day!

Whilst I think that age may count against me to a degree (with regards to employment) I also think it is a benefit in terms of my professional background and in todays day and age I'm sure there would be employers willing to take on someone slightly older, hard working & professional with direct customer service experience and business/operations experience too. Coming from an IT background I'm very technical down to component level/installations so hope that will also go in my favour.

Your advice is greatly appreciated

Paul​

 

[Guest 004]

good luck

 

[BAX73R]

Just been researching and speaking to my college mate, the new 2357 combines 2330 Level 2, 3, NVQ level 3 and incorporates elements of the AM2 (which is only open to apprentices ) So finally City & Guilds have put together 1 course that incorporates everything ( wish they'd have done that when I started at college ) This is the new best route to becoming a spark in my opinion!

 

[PaulM]

thanks, know it will be hard work, but feel it will be worth it - can't stomache the thought of trying to just put up with any old job for the next 20yrs or so, how depressing! (so I need to do this for my own sanity too! )

 

[BAX73R]

Know the feeling - do it - you only live once and it sounds like you'll regret it if you don't.

Again good luck. This Forum is quality btw so any help required for pretty much anything members on here will help ( apart from making the final decision )

 

[PaulM]

ty & what's your experience been like over these last 2 years?

 

[bsrfc10]

i might not be up to date with knowledge of course's but cant you do city and guilds 2351, then city and guilds 236pt2. i sat these exams as part of my apprentiship. they are the technical quals that made me a spark, the nvq level 3 is the on the job part, basically a log book of evidence of work that i have done on site, i had to do a log book every year of the 4 yr apprentiship and every year it got a little more in depth.

Since coming out of my time i have passed a BTEC national diploma in building services and the city and guild 2391.

But to get to my point, the only technical quals i have are the 2351, and the 236pt2 and i am an approved electrician.

maybe this might help you??

 

[PaulM]

I'll have to ask the college today, they don't advertise it yet (but then may not have updated their site).

However, if the 2330 is enough to start with and will still be a valid qualification, then that may still be the better/cheaper starting option (rather than signing on for a full 3yr course straight away?).

Lot of thinking to do and really have to push myself to do this, after the old company went under I've just been doing `OK` jobs and haven't been satisfied at all, so need to drive myself out of this slump!

 

[Adam W]

The 2330/2357 is definitely the place to start. When I did it it was 3 years day release. It might be better to sign up for the full course if you can - the level 2 is easy and lasts 2 years, then the level 3 is actually quite difficult and only lasts 1 year; the college I went to spent most of the 2nd year teaching us level 3 stuff in preparation for the next year, but I've heard of colleges that don't even offer it and just take your money for the level 2 then leave you out on a limb.

I know it's a real cliché but it's not going to be a walk in the park especially if you have a mortgage to pay - you won't have companies falling over themselves to offer you a full time job on the cards for mega money - unless you live in London you won't be earning £20k again for a few years!

 

[PaulM]

Hey, yeah I know this and fully appreciate that, but I'm in a position where I can afford to take a cut in salary to do this and expect to have to do so (I know the job market is tough already but hopefully in the next 2yrs it'll have picked up a bit).

At the end of the day, in the long run I will be better off, not just financially but emotionally too! (ie happy with my career and not just stuck in a dead end job to pay the bills - thats no life and I've never believed in doing that).

So now is the time to rebel, so to speak, and do something that will make a difference. It'll be hard I know, but ultimately rewarding (I hope! )

 

[PaulM]

well college contacted me back and say they can fit me in on the 2330 (theyre still running this) 2 nights a week, cost is around £975 for the course.

worked finances etc out, and can afford to do this, so now its just a case of going for it!? :crazy:

also, going in to this, what level of maths will I need to have? i mean, things like Ohms law etc, is this all taught as part of the course or do i need to get studying??

 

[topquark]

You'll probably be fine. If you can do the basics (multiplication, addition, subtraction, division, powers (squared), square root, basic trigonometry: sin, cosine) that'll see you through pretty much all of it.

Ohms law is just stating the relationship between voltage, current and resistance and basic multiplication and division will see you through that.

 

[PaulM]

yeah should be ok, will need to brush up on some of the more advanced stuff, but at 36 i'm pretty sure i can get my head around things quite quickly/easily now!

 

[Richard Burns]

Good luck with the course, as you have made the decision, I think you are going about it the right way.
The maths should not be a problem, there are a few complicated equations (lots more easy ones) but the maths is not the problem, it is learning how to apply it to the situation you have; this is what you will learn on the course. The main bit is picking up on the practical skills and the regulatory compliance and this is just learning and applying.
No worries and the best of luck.

 

[PaulM]

I guess my only concern will be where I go once I've completed the course, do I then start to look for work in the field (whilst signing up to do the next level of qualification?) or do i try to find employment with the 2330 and a company that will train me up further after that?

I have a stable job at the moment, so can do a lot of this at nightschool and get qualified, whilst then looking for employment in the field as well.

This seems it would get me on the road to becoming an electrician, and possible routes such as highway electrical lighting and that kinda stuff too?

 

[topquark]

Once you've started on your course and you're comfortable with the progress you've made try canvassing some of the local sparks to put your name forward as a helper for possible w/e working. I'd try sticking to some of the smaller 1-2 people firms to start with. That way you'll hopefully pick up some valuable experience. If there's any building work around in the area you could try asking the site forman as well, however most of the builders tend to sub contract out their electrical work these days so keep your eye open for any sign written vans around and try giving them a call.

Even once qualified you'll need lots more experience and it's the experience that makes the difference between good and average sparks.