Some advice please

[itsonelouder]

I’m looking for a career change, I’m 39 and I’m in London.

Realistically, how easy is it going to be for me to get a job having completed either the Electrical or Gas Engineers course here?:

Plumbing Courses, Electrical Courses, Gas Engineer Training Course

I don’t want to spend money on this and not be able to find a job because I lack the experience.

Which one, if any, do I stand the best chance with? Or am I wasting my time and money? Is the talk about a shortage of Electrician and tradesmen a fabrication?

Thanks for your advice.

 

[mattmoo1974]

Work is thin on the ground, But i dont live in london it mite be different there. Here (South west) times are hard on the Moo ranch

 

[Modular1]

You can have my job if you like. It's getting on my ---- right now.

 

[itsonelouder]

Having a little read through this forum, the idea that there's a shortage of skilled electricians is a myth right?

And at 39 years old I'd no doubt find it next to impossible to find a job without knowing someone I can shadow for a good while? (being an apprentice out of the equation).

And the same is probably true for a Domestic Gas Engineer?

Is there any truth in these statements?:

"Industry reports and research shows that there is a shortage of 37,000 Electricians over the next five years. This has been backed up on the BBC2 program The Working Lunch."

"The CITB estimates that 37,000 new electricians are needed now."

"The average age of electricians is quite high and this means that more are leaving the industry than joining it. Colleges are estimated to only have about 3,000 trainee vacancies per annum of which it is estimated only 50% actually go on to work as electricians."

 

[simpson93]

Having a little read through this forum, the idea that there's a shortage of skilled electricians is a myth right?

And at 39 years old I'd no doubt find it next to impossible to find a job without knowing someone I can shadow for a good while? (being an apprentice out of the equation).

And the same is probably true for a Domestic Gas Engineer?

Is there any truth in these statements?:

"Industry reports and research shows that there is a shortage of 37,000 Electricians over the next five years. This has been backed up on the BBC2 program The Working Lunch."

"The CITB estimates that 37,000 new electricians are needed now."

"The average age of electricians is quite high and this means that more are leaving the industry than joining it. Colleges are estimated to only have about 3,000 trainee vacancies per annum of which it is estimated only 50% actually go on to work as electricians."

not the way to get into a trade mate. the numbers are all wrong or used wrongly. you wont get the any experience from this place. or be able to do anything on your own.

 

[itsonelouder]

Training is useless without a work-placement and if you're over 24 you can't get an apprenticeship.

So changing career into a trade isn't really an option is it?

 

[simpson93]

Training is useless without a work-placement and if you're over 24 you can't get an apprenticeship.

So changing career into a trade isn't really an option is it?

sure you can but it will probably be harder for you.

 

[Johnny-G]

Having a little read through this forum, the idea that there's a shortage of skilled electricians is a myth right?

And at 39 years old I'd no doubt find it next to impossible to find a job without knowing someone I can shadow for a good while? (being an apprentice out of the equation).

And the same is probably true for a Domestic Gas Engineer?

Is there any truth in these statements?:

"Industry reports and research shows that there is a shortage of 37,000 Electricians over the next five years. This has been backed up on the BBC2 program The Working Lunch."

"The CITB estimates that 37,000 new electricians are needed now."

"The average age of electricians is quite high and this means that more are leaving the industry than joining it. Colleges are estimated to only have about 3,000 trainee vacancies per annum of which it is estimated only 50% actually go on to work as electricians."

That report was from way back in 2004 I believe, it's flooded now

 

[ricardo123]

My advice to anyone who wants to get into this trade is to experience it first by doing zero qualifications, apart from the ECS exam costs about £40, then apply for a JIB Labourer's card. Phone up lots of agencies, keep pestering them, asking for jobs as a mate, tell them you are doing your qualifications, a mate pays little less than a spark. You can then work as a mate with virtually zero responsibility and nearly the pay of a spark. If you like it after a year, then you can do your college courses, exams, etc.

There's little point in working for yourself unless you are keen to start a business, and employ other sparks while you do the admin, even then it's hard to make any money if you want to do it honestly. And why bother if you are only interested in running a business, run a plastering firm instead, easier, hardly any regulations to worry about, no part p, etc. There's no money in running a domestic firm, only by taking on commercial jobs and employing people can money be made.

All in all it depends on what you want to do. Its a hard trade, a lot harder than sitting at a desk, but it depends on what you like. Oh and if you ever make a mistake and someone is hurt save some cash for the inevitable health and safety prosecution.

 

[Electricalserv]

Can I have the number of the person who provides them statistics? He seems to know more than me...I was layed off in august 2010. Had no work since...so decided to go on my own. Just started up. 3rd day of advertiseing not one phone call, early days I know.

 

[Electricalserv]

What people have to remember is all the current companies are trying to hog the work. They are trying to get the customer to hold out for them to finish one project so they can go to another....its called survival. I notice the big guns are still tradeing hard. See them everywhere.

In this industry there is alot of back handers. I see it all the time. Once a company is in with someone. Their name gets passed round and its hard to break that circle. The main one being under cutting and getting friendly with your competitors customers. Not a good way to go about things but its a dog eat dog world and they would do it to you anyday of the week.

 

[itsonelouder]

Thanks for the reality check everyone.

I presume "domestic gas engineer" is much the same? I know I'm probably on the wrong forum to ask that one but it's worth a shot.

I just fancy doing something different, not stuck in an office all day.

So where are the skills shortages? Is there any trade where there is a skills shortage?

 

[Electricalserv]

Thanks for the reality check everyone.

I presume "domestic gas engineer" is much the same? I know I'm probably on the wrong forum to ask that one but it's worth a shot.

I just fancy doing something different, not stuck in an office all day.

So where are the skills shortages? Is there any trade where there is a skills shortage?

There is not a skills shortage in any trade at the moment. We are in a deep recession and its showing on the construction industry.

Maybe when we pop out the recession there may be a shortage but at the minute there is too many sparks!

 

[dcelec]

well i didnt start till i was 41 ,still learning and loving every minute ,,u can get an adult apprentiship ,but they are hard to get on as the demand is high ,,4 lads on my course were on one ,,they got a little more than the minimum wage but all their courses were paid for ,,i had to pay for my own ,,not easy when u not working ...

 

[ricardo123]

I have gone back into working for someone else for the time being, I have been getting interviews but the market out there is awful, so many sparks competing for so few jobs its unbelievable. I have several good private jobs coming up but they keep being moved back.

They just keep throwing those statistics around as it serves many purposes. I have heard this idea of a sparky shortage every year for at least the past 10 years, and it never comes even close to fruition in my experience.