The price of experience

[Sparky_Steve]

My current situation is paper qualified, I studied over 3 years at college finishing last summer the 2330 level 2 and 3 since then I have passed the 17th edition and although passed my 2391 practical failed the theory twice (to be perfectly honest i'm not ready the idea was straight from level 3 its all fresh but that exam is a ****) I have my 3rd attempt on 14/3/13. I'm also currently enrolled on the NVQ with XS training although yet to have my phone induction all of which is sell funded.

For the last year and a bit I have been working on a casual basis around my current job which is 4 on 4 off with an 18 day break every 7 cycles for a small local firm doing domestic and commercial this has been on £50 a day which I agreed to on the hope of gaining much needed experience and supplementing my income with the other job but with the hope of money rising.

In addition I have also done various small private jobs and a rewire for friend's which have all been tested but advised them of the need to notify.

I'm fortunate to live back with the parents at the age of 30 I can't begin to tell you how depressing that is but my house deposit fund has already been attacked. I have been offered a full time job with the above firm at £55 a day however its self employed so I would lose any sick,holiday benefits and use my own van which they have agreed to pay £10 a day roughly depending how local.

I have mentioned that to go full time I would need £75 a day does this sound unreasonable, unfortunately they believe so and have mentioned others work for less.

I have my own van and at risk of sounding like all the gear no idea have splashed the cash as mentioned with 36v sds, hilti chaser/vacuum, fluke etc.

I feel like i'm hitting a brick wall although I love the job i'm not confident enough to go it alone and to be honest don't want to as still have so much to learn, am I right in demanding more money or just dreaming

Thanks Steve

oh and i've posted in here as find the general forums get a lot of flaming and go off topic I didn't fall for the 50k Electrical Trainee scam but believe I should earn more than a shelf stacker and I'm well aware of Part P as are the people i've worked for

 

[Happy Jack]

I'll be honest, that is massively disheartening. I know you haven't posted up here looking for sympathy, but I do hope your situation improves and wish you every success in making that a reality. As a student I'm not really placed to offer you any specific advise related to the industry and how best to improve your prospects, there.

Frankly I'm appalled that the company you work for value your time and skillset so low, but I understand this is a common theme so won't fixate on that. Surely a solid year of experience and a positive reference will serve as a springboard into more rewarding ventures; I assume you've been approaching other companies, so I'd be curious to know if you've had any feedback from them having explained your current situation? The grass has to be greener.

I'm certain the more senior members who contribute to this sub forum will respond in due course; I wish I could offer more in the way of impartial, objective advice.

 

[Sparky_Steve]

Unfortunately i'm getting very little help elsewhere id say I have a reasonably strong CV and rather than just firing it off or phoning around i'm taking the proactive approach of getting in the door and trying to talk to the right people, although not apprentice trained I believe I bring a strong skill set and have life skills obtained elsewhere. It just seems everyone is a little quite or wants something for nothing. This is an NICEIC approved contractor with 10 staff on the books according to the boss one who is my level but 1 year on at £65 a day and a 3 month trainee on £50.

 

[trev]

Steve the guy is having your pants down mate, in your position I think I'd be trying the agencies, even a mate gets more than £50 a day. You could go in as a mate for say another year and use that as your experience gaining because the rate he's paying you and what he's expecting you to believe he's paying other people is frankly a mockery, no one is on more than that? No chance!
Remember, once you get that NVQ3 you can apply for a JIB card. If you have all the requisite quals it will say the right thing on it then you're earning what you should be earning.
Best of luck to you mate.