Looking to become a qualified electrician.

[keith2603]

Hi everyone this is my first time posting on this site, to get straight to the point i'm being made redundant at the beginning of September and am thinking of paying for a fast track course into becoming an electrician, could anyone give me any advice on what courses to do and the best routes to get started to be an electricians mate (what qualifacations would I need to get out there at minimum). Would be grateful for any advice.

 

[Rockingit]

the fast track courses, in all their forms, paint a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow and how the industry is crying out for you to sign up as we're all retiring.

Neither of these is true.

Sure, career changes happen, nowt wrong with that and I applaud those with the commitment to do so. But there is no fast track option available here, that's why there's so many people on the jobs thread asking for a start as they have no experience. Anyone can go and sit most of the exams - ffs you get four minutes per question to look the answer up in the book on one of them - what counts is experience, and you only get that by starting out making the tea and sweeping the floor, no matter what age or background you are.

 

[keith2603]

So is my idea of getting these qualifications the quick way then going to a company with them receiving 3000 in funding to employ me for a year and then being happy to plod along on £8 odd an hour and gather 4 years experience or so as a electricians mate plausible.

 

[telectrix]

perfectly plausible. as long as you put in the effort and realise that the practical experience is necessary . and that by passing a few exams, you're not competent without that practical knowledge.

 

[Rockingit]

So is my idea of getting these qualifications the quick way then going to a company with them receiving 3000 in funding to employ me for a year and then being happy to plod along on £8 odd an hour and gather 4 years experience or so as a electricians mate plausible.

In fairness, yes it is. There is much to be said for having some 'life experience' and a mature attitude, and tbh if you were in my neck of the woods then you'd be welcome to at least knock on my door, just to see. What you have described is pretty close to an apprenticeship route in all but order. If only we could encourage everyone else to have the same attitude!

 

[guest119]

to plod along for 4-5 years on £8 odd an hour and gather my experience.

And put a real spark on the dole.

 

[human016834]

Glass half empty kind of guy..?

Why don't you suggest something Boydy instead of the constant negativity against people trying to better themselves.

 

[Rockingit]

Boydy.....what's the difference between starting at the bottom and working and learning for four years as an apprentice, and starting having done some learning then working from the bottom for four years??? Your argument lacks any logic in that respect.

 

[keith2603]

Boydys a muppet.
Go down that road at 16 "don't you ever come back, I don't wanna see your face again"
Lol.
Thanks for all the help guys ,seriously , am about to get made redundant so av got some good funding and am looking at lots of options.
Gunna use this as an oppertunity and not a negative.
Boydy don't ever change your career ........never,never,never.

 

[derek preece]

Seriously if you want to be a good spark with a solid understanding of electrical theory DO NOT DO THE FAST TRACK COURSE. You should be aiming for straight distinctions for your theory exams and you are not going to achieve that by cramming for exams in a short space of time.

 

[KAS1]

Go for it, as they say the cream always comes to the top, you must be able to at least compete with 50% of those who ask questions on here and use this forum as a step by step guide to your day to day problems lol

 

[odawire]

Boydys a muppet.
Go down that road at 16 "don't you ever come back, I don't wanna see your face again"
Lol.
Thanks for all the help guys ,seriously , am about to get made redundant so av got some good funding and am looking at lots of options.
Gunna use this as an oppertunity and not a negative.
Boydy don't ever change your career ........never,never,never.

Hi mate, I was about 24-25 when I got into the trade after years in catering, started one day a week in college off my own back, luckily got on with a half decent firm and did about 3 years with them before going out on my own (they worked me like a carthorse mind!) but everybody is right about the fast track courses, you simply cannot learn enough in that amount of time, and its mainly theory they teach you anyway with a bit of simulated practical work that doesn't really relate to things you come across in the real world, I can honestly say Ive never met an electrician on site or working for themselves that qualified using a fast track course, but if its what you wanna do, go for it mate.

 

[7029 dave]

YTS springs to mind that was another disaster:sad3:

 

[sparky1502]

To the op if you have done your research you will walk in to your local college and do it the respectable way. You came on here asking for advice so take it from lads who know stay away from the quick courses