New to the world of electrics

[VincentW]

Hi All!

I am of a later age, and have enjoyed (use the term loosely) a career in Operations / Logistics.

As Im approaching 50, I am looking at taking on training within electrics in my spare time - evenings and weekends, having been bought up in that environment with my father being quite competent giving me the confidence to do my own minor jobs, checking of course with those in the know if unsure.

Being new, the whole world of qualifications seems to be a mine field, and as with so many things on google, there is conflicting information.

Initially I am looking to get qualified on part-p - and 17th edition, and ideally would like the opportunity to work alongside a qualified sparks (free of course) on a Saturday to build practical knowledge - I am just unsure exactly what courses / qualification I should aim for and in which order in layman's terms, as there seem so many out there although I know most of the heavy stuff is going into commercial work, which I would like to aim for long term.

Any help appreciated, although just to make it clear, I know there is no fast route to the knowledge you guys have, I am just trying to get started at the beginning as we all have to at some point.

thank you

Vince

 

[VincentW]

Hi and welcome
Im in the same boat buddy I have retrained in the electrical field and im in me 40s my advice would be to get as much on job experience as you can and try and avoid the so called fast track routes to becoming an electrician. There are a few out there and some offer you the part P qualification which does not exist if im right. To be a part P domestic installer and be registered with a scheme you will need to have at least the 17th edition wiring regs and initial verification and testing certifications. You will need to understand installation procedures and be able to interpret tests results and calculations and this is only gained with experience by following or shadowing another electrician. For commercial work the only route is the fully qualified electrician route in which you will need to complete the City & Guilds 2365 level 2 and 3 diplomas at college and then the AM2 assesment (the route im taking)
This qualification will get a lot more interest from electricians to employ you and help you than the fast track route.
Good luck to you keep at it as there is hope for us mature students. Keep an eye on the forum and even try posting your experience and targets in the forum itself it may get you a start with a electrician.

Thank you so much for the really helpful reply mate

 

[sparksburnout]

Personally I do I have been under a fully qualified electricians wing now for nearly 2 years. I survey and price jobs for my employer and I am in my opinion competent in most domestic situations but only through being taught by an experienced electrician. I am still learning all the time though and my employer has no worries about putting me to work on my own in certain domestic situations but to add all my work is checked and my test results are double checked by him when he comes to see the job.

Sorry mate I was referring to the OP not you!!

 

[VincentW]

This is tremendous advice. I am not being funny but do you have the practical experience? On top of all the qualifications and other stuff, you need to be able to actually operate in either a domestic or commercial environment, alongside other trades who will soon suss you out if you are not properly "on the tools". You either have to be very competent and confidant regarding this side of things or spend time doing a "latter day apprenticeship" with a mentor. Does operations and logistics fit in?

No practical experience as far as working as an electrician, although have done more than my fair share of work around the home / friends / family, before regs tightened up obviously - I am more than competent with general handyman work and have a good full set of tools although this is totally new to me as a career change. so I am expecting to start from the bottom upwards, simply looking for guidance on the correct route.

I cannot see any way that Operations fits in, apart from the planning / logical side of the job - I also had to be highly numerate which I believe helps, but again from the bottom upwards.

Ive had some good guidance on what course route to take, although being in full time employment, the shadowing of an electrician is going to be the stumbling block, unless I can get one willing to help me out on a Saturday, although not sure how far down the qualification side I would need to be before they will even entertain me. We all need to start somewhere

 

[VincentW]

This is tremendous advice. I am not being funny but do you have the practical experience? On top of all the qualifications and other stuff, you need to be able to actually operate in either a domestic or commercial environment, alongside other trades who will soon suss you out if you are not properly "on the tools". You either have to be very competent and confidant regarding this side of things or spend time doing a "latter day apprenticeship" with a mentor. Does operations and logistics fit in?

No practical experience as far as working as an electrician, although have done more than my fair share of work around the home / friends / family, before regs tightened up obviously - I am more than competent with general handyman work and have a good full set of tools although this is totally new to me as a career change. so I am expecting to start from the bottom upwards, simply looking for guidance on the correct route.

I cannot see any way that Operations fits in, apart from the planning / logical side of the job - I also had to be highly numerate which I believe helps, but again from the bottom upwards.

Ive had some good guidance on what course route to take, although being in full time employment, the shadowing of an electrician is going to be the stumbling block, unless I can get one willing to help me out on a Saturday, although not sure how far down the qualification side I would need to be before they will even entertain me. We all need to start somewhere

 

[Rpa07]

Personally I do I have been under a fully qualified electricians wing now for nearly 2 years. I survey and price jobs for my employer and I am in my opinion competent in most domestic situations but only through being taught by an experienced electrician. I am still learning all the time though and my employer has no worries about putting me to work on my own in certain domestic situations but to add all my work is checked and my test results are double checked by him when he comes to see the job.

I am in the same situation as Uksrevivor in that I swapped from nursing at 48 years and did a quick but thorough course but it contained little practical - I'm an electricians mate to a very qualified and it's coming up to 14 months and I've learnt so much and gained massive confidence in working alone, pricing and being a valued second person. I've not earnt much at all but the experience has been worth it all. Making way through NVQ3 which in itself is testing but Working full time enables completion of the different modules with plenty of evidence. Agree with everyone when they say this job is a majority of experience with a heavy sprinkling of head knowledge but never the other way around. Best wishes OP

 

[VincentW]

I am in the same situation as Uksrevivor in that I swapped from nursing at 48 years and did a quick but thorough course but it contained little practical - I'm an electricians mate to a very qualified and it's coming up to 14 months and I've learnt so much and gained massive confidence in working alone, pricing and being a valued second person. I've not earnt much at all but the experience has been worth it all. Making way through NVQ3 which in itself is testing but Working full time enables completion of the different modules with plenty of evidence. Agree with everyone when they say this job is a majority of experience with a heavy sprinkling of head knowledge but never the other way around. Best wishes OP

Thank-you, again really helpful. Could I ask what you courses you run PRIOR to starting as a mate (no-one has been my mate for 50 years!), and what courses you have done / plan to do since. Also how easy was it to convince a sparky to take you on board was it a friend or did you response to an advert. Thanks again in advance

 

[uksrevivor]

Thank-you, again really helpful. Could I ask what you courses you run PRIOR to starting as a mate (no-one has been my mate for 50 years!), and what courses you have done / plan to do since. Also how easy was it to convince a sparky to take you on board was it a friend or did you response to an advert. Thanks again in advance

LOL at no one being your m8 for 50 years lol
Me personally I drafted up a covering letter explaining what my objectives were and what my previous experiences were, I emphasized on the fact im self funding college and not looking for someone to fund my future courses. Also added my experience with power tools and competence in there safe use. It was a mature electrician who took me on and I did not know him prior to my employment. I sent over 40 emails just to give you an idea and he was the only one who had the confidence in me to employ me but said it was my covering letter and c.v that stood out and the fact im committed to learning the right way and not taking a so called fast track root.
My first qualification was P.A.T testing and I done this for a while until i got to a point where i wanted to shoot myself in the head as its so monotonous lol. but it was a start. Try contacting your local college for a list of the part time courses or evening classes they run in electrical certifications if your not sure post on here the course you are looking at and im sure someone will advise if its any good or not. Keep at it m8 you will get rejected more times than accepted but eventually someone will hopefully see potential in you and give you a start.

 

[VincentW]

LOL at no one being your m8 for 50 years lol
Me personally I drafted up a covering letter explaining what my objectives were and what my previous experiences were, I emphasized on the fact im self funding college and not looking for someone to fund my future courses. Also added my experience with power tools and competence in there safe use. It was a mature electrician who took me on and I did not know him prior to my employment. I sent over 40 emails just to give you an idea and he was the only one who had the confidence in me to employ me but said it was my covering letter and c.v that stood out and the fact im committed to learning the right way and not taking a so called fast track root.
My first qualification was P.A.T testing and I done this for a while until i got to a point where i wanted to shoot myself in the head as its so monotonous lol. but it was a start. Try contacting your local college for a list of the part time courses or evening classes they run in electrical certifications if your not sure post on here the course you are looking at and im sure someone will advise if its any good or not. Keep at it m8 you will get rejected more times than accepted but eventually someone will hopefully see potential in you and give you a start.

All sounds good, would happily do 400 emails to get a mate! - Seriously though, thats given me some good ideas, think I will plod on with a couple of courses first then as you say start getting my name out there - thanks for your time with all that

 

[Rpa07]

It's all about getting in the theory as well. There is a lot to it and as you become more conversant with the language and the theoretical side of faults and fault protection becoming sense then you can apply it to your experiences.
I put an A4 poster up in local wholesalers with stuck on business cards and I only got one reply but that's all it it takes. Keep on keeping on. You need experience to advance. We've all got books in our khazis - mine is Trevor Linsey at the moment and an 'electric centre' catalogue for the pretty pictures.

 

[GETWIRED]

I cant imagine doing the 17th would help much yet, as people with years of electrical knowledge and experience sometimes have trouble making sense out of it. It would most likely seem like a complete different language to someone without any base in the electrical sector.

Get a tech cert under your belt so you understand electrical terms and underpinning knowledge.

You can be shown how to do something then go and do it yourself very well, but there is not much point if you only know how to do something and not why you are doing it.

I wish you the best of luck mate.