Route to becoming certified electrification.

[Jay123]

HI All,

I am planning a career change and wanted some advice.

I want to work my way to become a fully certified domestic and commercial installer.

My practical experience is minimal as in I have helped electricians on jobs, this was ad hoc and not regular. I am confident at general DIY and power tools usage and manual labour.

My plan is, and this is on the assumption I am still to hold down my current full-time job, is to do a domestic installer course (trade skills4u) to help with the theoretical knowledge and also some practical.

Whilst completing the course I would assist a certified domestic electrician to up my practical knowledge until I’m able to go it alone and get myself certified by the governing body. I would at first do a couple of days a week until I am able to earn to substitute me going part time from my current job.

Then from becoming a certified domestic installer to continue into the commercial realm.

Does this sound feasible and what sort of time scales should I keep in mind to become certified at domestic level.

Thanks for all your advice.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Best route is a proper apprenticeship

There is no easy way to become an electrician

I have dipped in and out for 20+ years and am still learning

My dad was a sparks for over 45 years and was still learning before he retired

 

[Charlie_]

10 years at that level of commitment

 

[Baddegg]

This country is awash with “domestic installers” mate give it a lot of thought before spending ya money don’t listen to the salesman .....that aside if you are determined then good luck

 

[casperLennon]

Sounds idyllic. As for level of commitment then it’s very low.

 

[Squid]

How old are you and what do you do now?

 

[Dorspark]

JAY123.
You will find a lot if nimby sparks here.
If you work hard and put the study in you will be fine.
12 months you’ll be able to fully rewire a house competently, oddly enough the apprentice all singing time served sparks would end up with the same result as you as defined in the regs. So 1 year 20 years we are pretty much doing the same things.

 

[Jay123]

Best route is a proper apprenticeship

There is no easy way to become an electrician

I have dipped in and out for 20+ years and am still learning

My dad was a sparks for over 45 years and was still learning before he retired

Totally agree apprentice route would be great, but at my age 38 not so easy. Also i need to maintain my financial commitments so couldn't just leave current jobs. But i dont want this to be a barrier to entry.

 

[Jay123]

This country is awash with “domestic installers” mate give it a lot of thought before spending ya money don’t listen to the salesman .....that aside if you are determined then good luck

Thanks very valid point, need to consider longevity/demand employ-ability.

 

[Jay123]

How old are you and what do you do now?

38 and in bookkeeping.

 

[Jay123]

JAY123.
You will find a lot if nimby sparks here.
If you work hard and put the study in you will be fine.
12 months you’ll be able to fully rewire a house competently, oddly enough the apprentice all singing time served sparks would end up with the same result as you as defined in the regs. So 1 year 20 years we are pretty much doing the same things.

thanks for the encouragement and reply.

 

[Pete999]

JAY123.
You will find a lot if nimby sparks here.
If you work hard and put the study in you will be fine.
12 months you’ll be able to fully rewire a house competently, oddly enough the apprentice all singing time served sparks would end up with the same result as you as defined in the regs. So 1 year 20 years we are pretty much doing the same things.

Before you ask Dorspark as to why I disagreed with your post, it wasn't personal, but I take issue with your statement "So 1 year 20 years" is dismissive it takes more that getting the circuitry correct, experience give you clues on how to approach a rewire, or any job come to that, clues like how a building is built, how to get over differing construction methods, so think again Mate. I have seen many a house rewire done by people who think they are competent, and to be honest most of the work is not up to best practice.

 

[Dustydazzler]

JAY123.
You will find a lot if nimby sparks here.
If you work hard and put the study in you will be fine.
12 months you’ll be able to fully rewire a house competently, oddly enough the apprentice all singing time served sparks would end up with the same result as you as defined in the regs. So 1 year 20 years we are pretty much doing the same things.

I don't anyone is saying you can't become a domesticated installer in under 12months.
A very old friend of mine was a leisure centre manager for over 20 years and at the age of 40 decided he had enough quit and went on one of those tradeskills electrician courses and became a qualified Niceic DI in under 6 weeks.
Cost him about £5000 but he now runs his own DI business and has been quite successful.
He had a mortgage and 2 young kids at the time.
If you have the balls to do it then fair enough....

 

[Dustydazzler]

if you worked along side a good sparks for around 6 months doing re-wires etc you could probably learn just enough to go it alone after that.
but there will always be something that throws you , like micc you might not have dealt with before or a complex heating system you have not seen before. only time can learn you

 

[Dorspark]

Before you ask Dorspark as to why I disagreed with your post, it wasn't personal, but I take issue with your statement "So 1 year 20 years" is dismissive it takes more that getting the circuitry correct, experience give you clues on how to approach a rewire, or any job come to that, clues like how a building is built, how to get over differing construction methods, so think again Mate. I have seen many a house rewire done by people who think they are competent, and to be honest most of the work is not up to best practice.

I Concur. I didn’t quite mean a full knowlegible spark but one that will do exactly as per the regs the same as everyone else, has an electrician to work with, which is a plus. Hours of practical driving for a 20 minute test, then you learn how to drive. Same principle.