Training Help

[ludamick]

Hi All,

I'm new to this forum so please bare with me.

I currently work full time and will not be able to reduce my hours as I have a home to support.

I am extremely interested in learning the electrical trade but I have found college's to be unhelpful unless I reduce my hours, which is just something i cannot afford to do at present. I have really struggled to come across any college's that offer night time learning.

What I have come across are trade skills 4 u and new career skills that are mainly home based learning and then you go to practical training 5 days at a time.

Firstly, is it worth going down this route? And secondly, have you got any preference in who I should choose?

I understand that to be able to complete my NVQ 3 I will need to have a portfolio and I was hoping to be able to work with local electricians to build up my portfolio after I have completed the course.

Can anyone suggest which qualifications are essential to be able to practice as an electrician and sign my own work off?

I have a meeting with one of the local advisors of new career skills and would like to know exactly what i need and whether they are spinning me a line or not.

I'm extremely worried that I will be laying out a lot of money and not be able to change career's in the long run.

I understand that it will take a lot of hard work and I will need to build a business before I can "walk into" the trade so to speak. But I am willing to learn and listen to those who have a lot more experience and knowledge about the trade than what I do presently!

Any advice will be gratefully received.

Thanks for reading,

Michael.

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[malcolmsanford]

As you are currently working full time, I would not recommend you spending 5k or 6k on something that will not help you get work with an employer at this moment in time.

If you wish to spend that money to become a domestic installer then fine, but before you do, just do a little test in your local area and see how many domestic installers there are.

Remember these course are relying on people like you that are willing to spend a large maount on money on a dream. They will trian you to a degree which will allow you to become somewhat competant, but what they fail to tell is how many there are like you out there chasing what little work there is.

 

[ludamick]

Hi.

Thanks for your reply.

What qualifications would I need to be able to work for an employer?

I'm sorry if I'm coming across a bit naive, as I really don't understand which route I need to take.

In my current job, I have reached the maximum position I can achieve and therefore without a career change, I will be doing this for the rest of my life. Which is why I want to learn a trade.

Any recommendations into what route you would take if you were in my position would be great.

Thanks again,

Michael.

 

[malcolmsanford]

I've attached a link to what is called the JIB, they are not the statutory body in the electrical industry, but the reason I attached it is most employers now will want you to be JIB graded, as it is a sign of your training.

There are many gradings and you can choose from my link to go onto the main site and have a look. I've added the one for an installation electrician and it highlights what they require what you need to become a competant electrician. If you did what they advise you will have shown that degree of competancy.

JIB Grading Definitions - Electrician Grade

It is as I said not a compulsory thing to be a member, but if you are then it will aid you to get work with an employer.

 

[ludamick]

Thank you for your great advice.

I was intending on completing the course and also work with electrician's at weekends to hopefully build up my portfolio to be able to satisfy the JIB requirements. (Going to be tiring but worth it)