starting off advice

[dipeshparmar198]

Hi all.. i am a newly qualified spark. City and Guilds level 2 and 3 and 17th edition. going through a career change and trying to get into the field. Very frustrated as there is little chance for me to gain experiences. I have very little on site experience so little confidence however very determined and motivated. I studied part time evening college to gain my qualifications however am stuck on work.. I am willing to work for a very competitive rate as a electricians mate and to gain experience. Even to be able to stay with a company or firm. Can anybody give me some advice... please.....

 

[jase]

......

 

[StuSpiers]

we are in a double dip mate - crap aint it.

Construction industry freezes up tight in a recession.

 

[dipeshparmar198]

its horrid... im new to the trade and just want some practicle work experiance... heck im even willing to work for free..

i applied to over 150 compaies for some experiance and to be a electricians mate but nothing.....

 

[RISElectrical]

Times are tough but do seem to be getting better by all accounts. try looking in the jobs section on here! I posted a few up and got very little response so maybe everyone is busy

 

[Tidy Max]

Dipesh i am in the same position. i work for a company however we don't do any of your normal 'electrical' work. i've now realised what my only option is and i have just formed a ltd company. i shall be spending the next few months getting insurance, website, van and sign writing in order then i will be making the leap.

For what i lack in experience i make up for in motivation. My practical knowledge of electrical systems is good however what i lack is skilled domestic experience, i.e. the quickest way to do things in a safe and accepted manner. I, like you have been offering services for free/cheap just to gain experience. However working your arse off for a company will get you nowhere.

Good luck buddy

 

[RISElectrical]

However working your arse off for a company will get you nowhere.

Thats probably one of the more foolish things I have seen written to be frank. Working your --- off for a company is the only way you will gain the experience you need. It could lead to progression within that company etc etc.

You say you lack how to do things quick in a safe and accepted manner, well this is something youd learn at a company working with lots of different electricians.

 

[dipeshparmar198]

Thats probably one of the more foolish things I have seen written to be frank. Working your --- off for a company is the only way you will gain the experience you need. It could lead to progression within that company etc etc.

You say you lack how to do things quick in a safe and accepted manner, well this is something youd learn at a company working with lots of different electricians.

I agree with you all. I would like to start my own but just do not have the confidence. I even considering part p. i have no idea what to do or where to start. 4 years ago when I started my level 2 I bough it would be straight forward to apply for electricians mate.

Ii work full time doing it help desk and jumping to anther career has Been hard enough.

I don't mind working my balls of but need a good electrician to show me the ropes and some one to give me a chance . I'm 28 years old so not a young youth that will mess around. I am keen to learn and keen to get going. I have aspirations to set my ow company up or even help a well maintained company expand just need the extra boost and somebody to guide and advice me.

 

[dorian0505]

This thread is pretty much exactly what i'm looking for an answer to! lol. I also want to know is, do i need a CsCs card or an Ecs card to be a sparky's mate on sites? If it is a Ecs card then what type of card isit i need? Any help/advice would be much appreciated

 

[dipeshparmar198]

This thread is pretty much exactly what i'm looking for an answer to! lol. I also want to know is, do i need a CsCs card or an Ecs card to be a sparky's mate on sites? If it is a Ecs card then what type of card isit i need? Any help/advice would be much appreciated

Hi from my research yes you would need a CScs eva or jib to get on any site as a matter of health and safety. I think all sparked trying to find work and in same boat need to join a commuter or something to get the ball rolling again.

 

[Tidy Max]

Personally from my experience working for a company and working your arse off for a company make no difference, i have put 110% into my job and it goes unrecognised so i decided i should set up and work 110% for myself and reap the benefits.

My job has not lead to progression and has not given me the experience i want to be a domestic electrician. if anything it has hindered my career, at the time it was a means to complete my apprenticeship along with promises of further training and JIB rates. All of which might i add fell through. Although i work to high standard (and safely might i add) i am sure that i don't do things in the quickest way. By setting up on my own in this position my problem will be the amount of labour to charge and the amount of time it takes me to do a job. Both are factors which i have considered alot. But then i look at my current wage and sacrificing the amount i will charge per day/hour to compete with other faster electricians is a hit i am more than willing to take.

I only meant to offer advice as i feel i am in a similar situation to the OP and have been for a couple of years. Maybe sending out another 150 job applications might get him somewhere.

If working your arse off for a company works so well, it makes you wonder why people ever both setting up on their own.

And working your arse off for a company is most certainly NOT the only way you will gain the experience you need, i could be over dramatic and say its the most foolish thing i have ever read but that has already been done once in this thread.

(i rest my handbag)

 

[Tidy Max]

@dorian0505 (sorry i have not got used to quoting yet!)

Most sites subscribe to the considerate/safe contractor scheme, and any site that does subscribe you will need a card to get on. Most cards have the same status on a building site the only difference between cards being if its a skilled profession you need the qualifications to back it up, you could apply for a labourer card or a 'mate' card if they have one and that would be fine.

Its a usefull thing to have, i wish some of my friends had one just for when i needed a lift on site! Good luck!

 

[dorian0505]

Thanks both for the reply - @Max Well i have C&G 2330 Level 2 and 3 along with NVQ 2. Is just a normal 'Labourers' Cscs card acceptable to carry out electrical work on site? or would i need a Ecs card?
I've been ringing and hunting for information for the last few hours and i can't get anywhere! Lol.
Cheers

 

[Tidy Max]

No worries, go to this link, on the left there should be a grading definitions link, click that then find which one you apply to.

Joint Industry Board

To apply for a card the form is the same for all JIB disciplines (I THINK)

The JIB are a nightmare to deal with really, even when you apply it can take weeks to arrive. Theres nothing to worry about with the test though, its very easy. If you have completed your lvl2 + 3 its no different to the health and safety exam you do as part of that course (201/301 i forget, seems like a long time ago lol)

 

[dorian0505]

Cheers mate i'll get looking now!