To retrain or not to retrain?

[newbie99]

Hi all,

First time poster and I'm sure this has been asked many times before, but any advice on re-training options would be welcome.

I currently work in an office based customer service/corporate environment and face redundancy at the end of March. One idea I had of "investing" my payoff wisely was to maybe retrain as an electrician?

I really want to get away from the corporate world and the constant three year cycle of redundancy/moving jobs, and whilst I appreciate no job is 100% secure at the moment, I thought learning a trade might be a good way of at least giving myself a fighting chance of steady work / income?

I have a found a local training provider who offer a 7 week "intensive" electricians course that covers the following:

City & Guilds (2382) – 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations (Level 3)
Logic Full Scope Electrical Part P Scheme
City & Guilds (2392) Certificate in Fundamental Inspection and Testing and Initial Verification
Logic Certification Domestic Periodic Inspection and Testing Award

I understand this route into the industry isn't looked upon fondly by more experienced electricians, but taking a longer amount of time out of work or taking a significant pay cut isn't an option financially.

Any advice, tips, criticism on anything I have mentioned would be greatly appreciated.

I realise you probably don't want even more rookie sparky's applying for jobs, but thanks in advance!​

 

[telectrix]

to be honest, i'd consider anything else. work and jobs are hard to come by in our trade.

 

[nick182]

to be honest, i'd consider anything else. work and jobs are hard to come by in our trade.

Exactly that! Some of us are finding it increasingly difficult to find work after completing those courses unless u go self employed. Which even that has its own draw backs.

Something i should have done before i started college was to have a look and see what jobs were available and try to pair up what qualifications employers were looking for compared to whats being offered at college. You will find that most employers are looking for Time served, experienced electricians with the 2391 qualification.

Completing the course wont get you work unless you try aiming for an electricians mate/improver.. Even then you still need to have some form of experience and/or qualification. Or at least know someone who is in the trade.

I would consider thinking long and hard if this is the trade you want to be in at the moment.

But in saying this... I wouldn't want to be anything else other than an electrician. I totally love it! But I have so much to learn and such a big hill to climb until i become as knowledgeable as someone like Telectrix.

Good luck mate and im sure no matter what path you choose will be the right one.

Regards,
Nick

 

[Frankus]

I am pretty much in the same position as you, Newbie99. I have invested in a course with New Career Skills a course that should anything between 6 and 18 months. I am sure the 4, or 7 week courses will get short shrift in these here parts, but you must make up your own mind. As many will tell you, it is the practical experience which will be the difference between you and me, and a 'proper' electrician.

The option of taking a 3, or so year apprenticeship is financially out of the question as much for me as it is for you, so I went for the course that at least offers some practical time. It will also give me the chance to get out and gain some real practical experience in the field.

There are many who will ridicule and refuse to acknowledge you are an electrician until you have a number of years 'out there'.

Also, Telectrix work and jobs, in the current climate are extremely difficult to find in any trade or industry, so choosing this is as good an idea as any.

Also, Newbie99, if you are planning on getting qualified and staying in the industry and coming into this forum, I would think about a new nickname - you don't want to be referred to as 'Newbie' after 10 or 15 years, do you?

Best of luck

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Go for it! You will love the challenge. Just a word of caution though, you have zero experience in the trade and a short course is unlikely to be the best route for you. Sign up for evening classes at you local college, the slower pace (and lower cost) will give you the maximum chance of learning in the new environment. Plus if you find it's not really your "cup of tea" you will not have sacrificed a small fortune to the short course wonders.

 

[Octopus]

Ultimately the decision is yours, however as MarkieSparkie says you could go for it BUT don't under estimate the task of getting yourself a job/established in the current environment.

Its not impossible but you'll have a tough time if its your only income.

 

[UNG]

I have a found a local training provider who offer a 7 week "intensive" electricians course that covers the following:

City & Guilds (2382) – 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations (Level 3)
Logic Full Scope Electrical Part P Scheme
City & Guilds (2392) Certificate in Fundamental Inspection and Testing and Initial Verification
Logic Certification Domestic Periodic Inspection and Testing Award

Any advice, tips, criticism on anything I have mentioned would be greatly appreciated.

​

ERRRR where's the actual electrical qualification in this lot plenty of inspect and test but no core electrical theory or qualification that I can see

And what do the Logic quals equate to in the real world

People are being taken in by these training providers with their become a spark in 5 minutes scams no wonder this industry is being beaten into submission to accept even lower rates for our efforts. The 50K carrot is the main driver in my opinion that so many are coming to this trade but there are very few getting any where close to that

Sorry I can't be positive about this course but it's a waste of your time and money in my opinion