New Help Needed Please!

DanHW · Feb 8, 2011

I am before i start fully aware that doing a course will not help me learn everything but am looking to do it that way to start off. What course would be good to get going. currently working in retail for a trade counter and want a change. Have started looking but can be confusing and if you talk to them they become" the best place to learn" so make it more difficult. Also although i have money to invest in my future i do not have £10000 kicking its heels for a course. SO just a starting one will be fine. I am not far outside London as this seems where a lot of training centers are. All or any help will be very appreciated! Thanks again Dan

millwall ken · Feb 8, 2011

Hi mate, and welcome. Without trying to put you off, you need to know that things are really bad in the construction industry at the moment. Never mind trying to get into the electrical trade. I have been in the trade for over 10 years, but until a couple of years ago I was only ever a 'mate'. Despite the fact that I went to college full-time and got my C&Gs 2330 in 2 years, plus my 17th and 2391 testing and inspection, it took me OVER 150 applications to gain employment. like I said, things are really bad at the moment. Even some of the 'cream' of the electrical industry are struggling to find contracts.
If none of this puts you off, then depending on your age there are a potential number of opportunities available to you. Simple research on the internet will give you a number of ways that you can 'get' into the industry. However, I would strongly advise you to avoid a course that promises you that you'll be qualified in a week, five weeks, what have you... It takes YEARS to become a competent sparkie, never mind a highly-paid sparkie.

Paul.M · Feb 9, 2011

Hello Dan, I'm going to echo the wise words of Ken. Think very very carefully about what you are going to get into. Please take the time to look at the job web sites to see how hard it is to get a job with the qualifications you will be going for. Example, if I needed quals to get into retail and you knew there is no jobs, what would you advise?

DanHW · Feb 9, 2011

Thanks very much for all the advice. It can be a struggle in retail also. If you the tradesman are without work so are we. Just keep going round in circles. Second job I have been made redundant from in the last year. This one doesn't look to great with a slow start to this year. I am aware of how long it would take. And that I would still learn thing in 20 years time. And you can't teach an actual trade in a classroom. I would advice not to get into retail as again within 10 year will all be Internet companies. Thanks for all you comments again really handy.

asht · Feb 9, 2011

hi dan
Your story is very familiar, i too was in retail (probably about 15 years) and one january i realised how sick i was of only having 3 days off over christmas and having to work all weekend whilst my two children were not at school. As my father was an electrician, i decided i would follow his footsteps. I applied to go on the night school courses and was put on the waiting list, 20 months later i began my c&g 2330, i am now one and a half years in, there is a possibility that the 3rd year will not be available due to incorporating the nvq which is work based learning, i.e. Get a job then the skills, not, travel 60 miles twice a week to college to get the skills to get the job.
What i'm kind of saying is this will be a long hard slog and you've got to put the effort in. On the other hand its the best thing i've ever done