Looking To Start New Career

[brentford_Leigh]

Hi Everyone

Im new to this forum and have joined because I was after some help and information firstly.

Im not happy in my current job and strive for a career I can be happy and proud with. For a while I have thought about becoming a electrician. I am 27 now and what like to know at my age what is the best way to go about becoming a fully qualified Electrician?

There are many companies like the OLCI, Construction Skills College amongst others. Do these places give the correct and thorough training I would need or am I better off finding a local company/business that will take me in as an apprentice n do it through a local college? If so am I too old for an apprenticeship as i don't mind paying the money myself if not and are there any websites that list local companies looking for apprentices or is it a local pages job and ringing around?

Would be a real help if someone could help me out.

Thanks Leigh

 

[SafetyFirst]

Leigh, i did my apprenticeship straight from school and have been fully qualified since the 16th edition, i have always tried to keep upto date with qualifications, i have 17th edition and 2391 testing qualification and i am struggling to find an employer.

I am currently working in an electrical discipline but not what my apprenticeship was designed for and i am in a role whereby my career has hit a brick wall.

The recession has made things very difficult out there.

In my experience i have worked with very few adult trainee's. It is possible though i have worked with someone who was employed for a previous employer whilst he was in his early 30's and your location is in your favour! There's always work round your parts.

My advice would be to get in touch with a company called JTL, JTL training - Employers - electrical, plumbing and engineering Advanced Apprenticeships.
they are the service who i enrolled with, they work towards nationally recognised qualifications and have dealings with the JIB Joint Industry Board (an organisation that sets standards for electrical contractors ie wages/welfare etc). They should provide you with the information for how best to get on the ladder, usually you will be asked to find a sponsor (employer) who will sign you up as an adult trainee. You want to work towards NVQ level 3 (usually 3+ years so you'll be very lucky to be fully qualified this side of 30).

 

[SafetyFirst]

Good luck btw!

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Hi mate,

Age is not a bar to an apprenticeship, but it does just about rule out any funding for you. Your best bet is to do as advised and contact local colleges and training providers, dont just go to JTL, i have nothing against JTL, but you need to speak to more than one possible training provider. I say this because some providers have access to money that others dont. So whilst i say the chances of getting funding for training is very slim, it is not beyond the realms of possibility, if you don't ask, you wont get. By speaking to several organisations, you will also here about several optional pathways to meet your objective.

Cheers...........Howard

 

[brentford_Leigh]

appreciate the feedback guys. seems like a few more negative comments then there are positives looking at this and other threads. Just don't want to waste anymore time in life. Will keep looking into this though, i shall not give up.

 

[Essexboy7]

I wish you well mate but your comment about not wasting any more of your life is worth commenting on.For someone who is unemployed and has no skills i would always say it is better to have a trade then not.But i wouldnt advise anyone to get into the game nowadays.30 years ago sparks were the kings of the building site we used to earn fantastic money and had great conditions.Now the trade has been so downskilled that you have blokes doing 5 week courses and turning up on jobs calling themselves sparks.Also now you are competing against tens of thousands of foreigners who are happy to work for half the going rate as it is still more money then they could ever have dreamed of when they send it home.An average rate for a spark in london is £13 an hour and i myself a JIB approved spark with over 20 years experience am sometimes forced to take it because there is nothing else.And they will expect a full days collar out of you for that and you will be expected to have all your own tools,drills etc.
The girl who cleans my house charges £12 an hour cash and turns up with a feather duster and a mop.Do you get my drift.The days of big money are gone forever unless you work for yourself and strike it lucky.But there are so many blokes trying to do the same thing the competition fierce.I wish you well mate but it is a mugs game nowadays

 

[Johnuk]

i would keep your job for now so you can fund it

and look at what electrical courses are coming up at college there are some night courses am sure,

then look into getting a j.i.b ecs card so you can work on site