Should those seeking Fast Track routes into the trade be belittled ?

[SparksWill Fly]

I seems that resentment, ego and selfishness are at play on some construction trade related forums when ever the question of fast track courses pops up. Again on "some" forums, i get a sense of..

"I had to do such and such, so i don't even care if the fast track course was any good anyway. Or even if it's the only option some folk have because i had to go through this certain method, so therefore everybody else should have to, I don't care if my comments put folks off wanting to do well for themselves, even if fast track is their only option, because my own ego and selfishness is more important than their life"

Of course no one would ever admit that the reason they say such and such comment is because they are stroking their ego and are selfish, they will just say that it simply has to do with their concern as to the quality of workmanship that folks have after completing fast track courses. And I'm sure this is true for some, but even for those whos opinion is based solely on the quality of the workmanship of a "fast-tracker" they should still be considerate of the fact that other folks are entitled to become tradesmen just as much as they are, only they don't have the same available options you have/had in order to get there. But certain other users who post on construction forums (i'm not just picking on this forum but any tradesman related forum) I feel, post comments simply with an intent to be negative in a way that mirrors what i explained above with regards to "Resentment" "Ego" "Selfishness"

 

[tuckerkop81]

Guys n girls. im near on finished my 2330, its took me 3 years, 2 evenings a week. If i had the money to do this in 6 weeks i would have done, i really dont see the arguement. going on a 6 week course, 2 year course, however long course, without experience you are not a spark, its as simple as that.

 

[DNS1]

How do I get into the trade?

Hi guys,

I'm looking at becoming a sparks and like lots of people have been tempted by the fast track courses.

Before I go any further, let me give you a bit of info about myself. I am 29 years old, well educated, did an engineering degree and have worked as a flight attendant for the past 7 years, earning an average salary. I'm an experienced sound engineer, although unqualified, so have plenty of experience working with electrics on stage etc.

I'm a very experienced DIYer, done plenty of my own electrical work in my own flat and for family and friends (all to current standards as far as I understand, although I'm not qualified. Yes, I know this isn't technically legal, but I've simply not got the money to be getting someone in everytime something needs doing. I've never been paid for any of the work I've done I might add...)

The problem I have now is fairly clear I think...

People keep saying that the only way to become an electrician is through getting experience. Clearly this is not an option for me. I simply couldn't survive on an apprentice's salary.

The only option it seems is to go down the route of a fast track course. Pay the money, do the study alongside my job, do the practical work during leave. Although, apparently if I do this, I won't be a "proper" electrician anyway.

So.... What do I do? Seems a little unreasonable to say that I'm never going to be a sparks, because I'm not a 16 year old kid, living at home who can live for years on an apprentice wage...

 

[morph]

depend on what sector you want to work in
commercial or industrial then i doubt it will work out you
domestic then i think it will be straight forward for you

 

[DNS1]

domestic then i think it will be straight forward for you

Domestic was what I had my sights set on. Is it realistic to do a fast track course then settle with doing simple installs for a few years to gain experience to move on to bigger jobs?

As a former sound engineer I've toyed with the idea of getting the sparks qualifications to allow me to do the work related to sound installations for homes, bars, restaurants etc. I've already got the knowledge and experience to work with the specialist audio kit and was thinking a fast track electrical course could get me the necessary qualifications to do the basic electrical installation work associated with it. Does this sound reasonable to you?

Sorry for all the questions!

 

[Adam W]

You need to get the experience.
You could work as an adult trainee so you could be on £8-10 per hour, but if you look around the forum there are plenty of guys offering to work for free for that experience.

It's not just the electrical trade it's any trade. With some you do an 'internship' (usually for free), which you have to do - it's no good saying you can't because you've become accustomed to a certain lifestyle.

 

[DNS1]

it's no good saying you can't because you've become accustomed to a certain lifestyle.

To be honest, I find this a bit insulting... It's nothing to do with being accustomed to a lifestyle, believe me I don't live the high-life. I drive a 7 year old car and live in a small flat which I scrimped and saved to buy. Getting the "experience" in the way you suggest would mean not being able to pay my mortgage.

How does anyone get the experience whilst still paying their way in the world?

 

[DNS1]

To be honest, I find this a bit insulting...

Sorry if that sounded a bit harsh, just finding this whole situation very frustrating.

How much does my current experience count for? As said before, all DIY for family and friends but I've taught myself to plaster from scratch, fit bathrooms, rewire houses, lay bricks etc... Surely this must be worth something?

 

[Adam W]

Practically speaking yes, but you might be surprised at the amount of theory you don't know.
Not trying to turn this into a competition but i drive an 11 year old car and rent a small flat because work isn't regular enough for me to get a mortgage.

I find it quite insulting that so many people assume they can already do or can learn in 6 weeks what I spent 3 years learning.

 

[morph]

like i said if house bashing is your aim and with good diy skills and some related electrical experiance, and add a few quals, then it will be ok, yes it will be sharp learning curve but house bashing aint rocket science . you need to be up to scratch on testing and i suggest you start with 2392 to get you started

 

[morph]

my van is 10 years old
;-)

 

[bugsy]

Practically speaking yes, but you might be surprised at the amount of theory you don't know.
Not trying to turn this into a competition but i drive an 11 year old car and rent a small flat because work isn't regular enough for me to get a mortgage.

I find it quite insulting that so many people assume they can already do or can learn in 6 weeks what I spent 3 years learning.

Three years christ after 35 years im still leaning!!

 

[DNS1]

Practically speaking yes, but you might be surprised at the amount of theory you don't know.

I was under the impression that the theory was what was learnt through the course...

To be honest, this sounds very much like a recurring argument from my industry. Pilots who have learnt by doing an 18 month course and going straight into a job flying passenger jets, vs pilots who started by flying mail around in single engine planes, maybe did a bit of instruction and gradually moved up the ladder to bigger and better things. No definitive answer as to what's better in that case.

 

[Adam W]

Similar sort of thing, yes.
So which are the airlines employing pilots who haven't actually flown a real plane before?

 

[DNS1]

So which are the airlines employing pilots who haven't actually flown a real plane before?

If you mean, which airlines are employing people who've done the 18 month intensive course, most of them...

Of course these courses do involve many hours of actual flying in a vareity of aircraft, but all in a fairly controlled training environment. None of the "real life" flying experience that someone would have after doing a couple of thousand hours hopping between islands in single engine charter aircraft though.

 

[RWJ]

Christ, what had they done!LOL

Blew one of the phases.. so to be fair it didn't have to be TP same could have happened to Single. Just think if it was two phases they touched and not phase to earth!