Moving to the UK - advice please??

[belec_82]

Hi All,

I am currently looking to move to the UK from Australia, and I need some advice on how to register as an electrician in the UK. I am a qualified electrician in Melbourne, Australia and I need advice on what I need to do to be able to work in the UK as an electrician. I have tried looking on several sites but everywhere asks for money before handing over information. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Also, can anyone tell me what the employment opportunities are like in London at the moment in either the domestic, commercial or industrial areas of the industry?

Thanks all. Appreciate any information at all.

 

[Adam W]

Well there's not much work around in the UK at the moment, if fact a lot of guys are wanting to move to Australia because apparently the "massive skills shortage" we hear so much about is over there.
I suppose you'd be looking at doing the 17th edition test (City & Guilds 2382) as a minimum; entry requirements seem to vary from college to college, and ultimately it depends on the company you'd be working for as to what they want - some might be happy with just the 2382, others would want the City & Guilds 2391 (inspection & testing).

 

[fanta]

You would need a "CSCS" or/and the "PASSPORT TO SAFETY" card/s to work on most construction sites in this country. There are several agencies the operate courses to obtain these cards.

 

[nickblake]

As novus ... but leaving sun sea and surfing ,,to cold rain and oh sorry thinging about up here , no sorry what i think you need to do is see if your qualifications are valid over here principles the same but the regs will differ , would advise as the guys have pointed out 17th ed 2391 etc

 

[Engineer54]

Think your choosing the wrong time to make a move to the UK mate. The world recession has hit the UK big time whereas it has hardly made a dent in Aussie. If you look around this and other forums, you will find that many well qualified and experienced electricians are scratching around for work right now.

Is it imperative that you make the move to UK at this time, ...could you not wait a bit to see how things go or awhile, in relation to work opportunities in the UK??

You may end-up spending a great deal of money for little or no return on your investment. And likely go through any savings you bring with you in a very short time if your thinking of relocating to the London area.

Honestly, ...i'd think long and hard before making this move at this time....

 

[sparkiegaz]

deff not great time to come looking for work in uk, most sparks i know arnt working ,some have given up and doing other work,,,,,stay ware u are feller

 

[cagedanimal2010]

ill swap with ya!!!!!!!

 

[SMB]

Me too. The sea fishing is rubbish here.

 

[grantr37]

I would say that moving to the UK from Australia is a bad idea, they are really tightening up with the visas over here, they let all the wrong people in here from Europe and stop good people coming in from other countries, Australia is setting about visa reform right now to stop as many UK people coming over as possible, unless they are a teacher, Doctor, Surgeon,corporate grade Accountant, Dentist or a Qualified farming expert....we can all get a 1 year visa that allows for 10 months work and 2 months travel,if we do 3 months on a Fruit farm as part of our stay.... then we are out on the old ear......and its going the same way here towards Australians and New Zealanders, Americans, South Africans etc...

 

[telectrix]

my honest advice is DON'T! there's very little work, weather is pants, 90% of your earnings go to the taxman in one form or another, you need a bank loan to fill your fuel tank, and you won't be able to retire till you're 115

 

[bluesky]

training+qualification exams+6month rent+6month food, need at least £10,000 in your bank,

 

[belec_82]

Thanks all.. Appreciate the info. Not exactly what I wanted to hear. Well good luck to all on the work front.

Cheers.

 

[zedess]

stay where u are mate....im so busy at the moment im on here..instead of at work...at 10 on a monday!!

 

[bluesky]

actually there are lots of information in the replies, they told you clearly how to be a qualified electrician in uk, also can i ask where are you originally from?

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Stay put mate, this country has gone to the dogs in more ways than one believe me. You will find it hard if you come on these shores and you wish to pay your way. BUT, if you decide to enter illegally via the back of a truck through Dover, dressed in scruffy clothes, stinking of sweat and p***, with an eastern european or semi asian complexion and the only phrase you say is "NO SPEAK ENGLISH", then WELCOME MY FRIEND, this is the land of plenty, we will give you money, a choice of desirable houses in a location to suit you, all on the house. We will then give you plenty of money to make sure you have a high standard of living, at least as good as someone earning £50K a year, go to Curry's and help yourself to a few plasma screen Telly's, ipods, and any other necessities you feel you may need. If you get bored we will send you and your 6 wives, 14 children and 29 grandchildren to alton towers for a fortnight. and just for good measure, when we give you money there will be plenty left to send home for your distant relatives.

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