Plenty of jobs out there?

[n180]

Hi all,

I'm looking to become an electrician (career change). Looked into various training centres like OLCI, RFTraining, New Career Skills etc. They all claim that there's a massive shortage of electricians at the moment in the UK, that there should be plenty of work for a qualified sparky. But of course they would say that.

I want to hear it form you guys already in the industry (so that I can get some real info instead of a sales pitch), whats the market like these days? Is it easy for you to find work? Is there plenty of it out there? I'm talking about working for a company and/or working for yourself. Or are most electricians leaving the industry due to lack of work, or sitting at home twiddling their thumbs?

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Because it's a buyers market mate. They want people who have been there and done it so unless you have experience or you know someone who can ease your passage (Fnarr fnarr) you have no chance with just a CSCS

I disagree. That's my prerogative. There's agencies that will get you in. It's up to you to prove yourself once you're there.

 

[wellshocked]

im not saying that it is impossible, most people get into construction as a labourer but with specialized trades like plumbing electrical, air con, its all about being on the course first and understanding a bit

 

[wellshocked]

nothing slows you down more than having someone with you who dont have a clue, and for big jobs they dont want that

 

[trev]

I disagree. That's my prerogative. There's agencies that will get you in. It's up to you to prove yourself once you're there.

Voltz I kind of agree with your general point but put yourself in the position of an employer or even an agency. You have two guys up for a mates job, one has no experience but has a CSCS card. The other has the same card + a few years experience.
Which one gets the gig?

 

[VoltzElectrical]

experience, abit of luck and to be at college

If you're at college, you're an improver. Companies want decent labour.

THEY DON'T REWARD QUALIFICATIONS!!

WHY DO YOU THINK THE IMPROVER WHO FINALLY GETS HIS QUALIFICATIONS WON'T GET A PAYRISE???? HE'S ALREADY DOING THE JOB, SO WHY PAY HIM MORE?

I AM SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE AND THE EXPERIENCE OF MY PEERS.

ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS THE JOB GETTING DONE AS CHAPLY AS POSSIBLE, HENCE EMPLOYING AN ARMY OF MATES NOT SPARKS.

I SPEAK THE TRUTH

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I disagree. That's my prerogative. There's agencies that will get you in. It's up to you to prove yourself once you're there.

you disagree that its a buyers market voltz?.....

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Voltz I kind of agree with your general point but put yourself in the position of an employer or even an agency. You have two guys up for a mates job, one has no experience but has a CSCS card. The other has the same card + a few years experience.
Which one gets the gig?

WITH RESPECT, I agree, but this is a separate issue about competition for jobs. Some here are stating that you can't get on site with only a CSCS card.

YOU CAN.

 

[wellshocked]

If you're at college, you're an improver. Companies want decent labour.

THEY DON'T REWARD QUALIFICATIONS!!

WHY DO YOU THINK THE IMPROVER WHO FINALLY GETS HIS QUALIFICATIONS WON'T GET A PAYRISE???? HE'S ALREADY DOING THE JOB, SO WHY PAY HIM MORE?

I AM SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE AND THE EXPERIENCE OF MY PEERS.

ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS THE JOB GETTING DONE AS CHAPLY AS POSSIBLE, HENCE EMPLOYING AN ARMY OF MATES NOT SPARKS.

I SPEAK THE TRUTH

if you go to college your an improver, when your qualified from college your an electrician,

so when do you become a "mate"

 

[wellshocked]

ive seen jobs on jobcentre asking for electricians mates and they get paid more than improvers

the only time i see loads of mates on site, is when a load of containment needs to go in

 

[VoltzElectrical]

you disagree that its a buyers market voltz?.....

NO. I disagree that you can only get on site with experience and knowing someone on the inside.

You have to use the agencies against themselves to get yourself in, then you will get the experience.

for god's sake glen...

 

[VoltzElectrical]

if you go to college your an improver, when your qualified from college your an electrician,

so when do you become a "mate"

From the start!!!

What are you 'WELLSHOCKED'?

Mates fetch cable, bend tube, pass screwdrivers, are the extra pair of hands you need on a double handed job. You get to see it, do it, learn it. Mates haven;t been to college, and are vital to the industry.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

surely an electricians mate is all about pulling cable/s in...go get this....fetch us that....support this while i fix it etc etc...general mule......and at the end of it you might....just might get to terminate/make off.....and basic stuff like that......if you are at college on day release..whatever...then you aint a `mate`...more an apprentice....`mates` are just donkeys to fetch n carry.....

 

[wellshocked]

WITH RESPECT, I agree, but this is a separate issue about competition for jobs. Some here are stating that you can't get on site with only a CSCS card.

YOU CAN.

im not saying you cant get onto site with just a cscs card

im saying it is near on impossible

 

[wellshocked]

lol ill be whatever they want as long as i get the job !!

 

[VoltzElectrical]

mates put up light fittings, make off sockets, put up trunking, yada yada yada. Stuff you can learn in 5 mins flat. The stuff no one is gonna pay more that £10 an hour for. Simple stuff. Simples. The big sites are made up of mates. It's a good start for someone to understand how electrical installations work. From there you learn about distribution, switching, organisation, deliveries, hierarchy, everything.