What advice would you give to kids interested in sparkying?

[calpol91]

Abit random, but one of my younger brothers mates asked me today if i thought it was a good idea for him to become a sparky....

I told him i love the work (sometimes) but the problem is there isnt much around at the moment, but if he could find an apprenticeship then go for it. When i thought about it though, ive been struggling the past few months, so i kinda thought my advice should of been more "not a good idea right now, no..."

What do u guys think?

 

[jpm646]

Same as I've been passed 6 years now since leavening school love the job and it was the essayist thing for me to learn because I was so intrested some days gets me down but the last 3 years everything seams to be getting ****ter I wouldn't recommend domestic electrical to anyone the only thing I would do now is industrial a lot more fun I think but I carnt seam to find this work and I'm about ready to change my career of I don't I don't think I can take much more ov the domestic side it seams everyone expects so much for so little pay and it gets my back up like I said unless he has a real interest then I wouldn't recommend it too many young lads think there's loads of money to be made but there really isn't and I've had 5 or more apprentices work with me in the last few years and only one was any good, hope this helps I know it's a bit of a rant as well ha ha

 

[Barry Rathbone]

I'd like to think an Industrial apprenticeship would be the best outcome, atm.
Housing slows, buisness grows?!
Then if the domestic side was wanted later there are courses to accomodate.
I love domestic as its a change from industrial, get in get out get right!
Swa in a domestic. of course, 2' Galvanised perforated tray in lounge of course not!

Domestic in my eyes is where ALL electricians should start.......and move UP! I've seen it you want to argue the fact I'll show you the ashes? see my point? IDK if you don't experience tells me so....

 

[MKS]

I will be buried with my favourite MFT... Would not change for the world, it will eventually pick up, have to have faith!!!

 

[johnboy6083]

I agree that domestic should be the starting point for sparks. These people that are doing short courses are restricting themselves to domestic though, and that's a good thing for commercial/industrial sparks like me. I don't often do domestic now but I see it as the easiest of the disciplines that a spark is involved in.

 

[sedgy34]

I would say think of something else to do as a career something that pays and pays alot for minimum time and effort like being a footballer or sports like, something that pays even when a recession depression hits the economy he won't be affected by it.

 

[trev]

Be an undertaker, it's the only recession proof industry

 

[calpol91]

Or a tax man....

 

[MKS]

Even a banker, they cause a recession, get rich in one and to think, they say 'crime does not pay' There is a hyperbole in there somewhere lol

 

[Engineer54]

Even a banker, they cause a recession, get rich in one and to think, they say 'crime does not pay' There is a hyperbole in there somewhere lol

Your right there, .... There should be more than just a few bank chairman and executives serving prison sentences for what was, out and out fraud!!

 

[claret73]

I agree that domestic should be the starting point for sparks.

Kinda makes me feel a bit better. I just haven't been able to secure any more than 1 day here etc in anything other than Domestic. A Domestic Spark took me on a third of the way through my 2nd Year NightSchool and within a year I was subbing due to the downturn, but looking at maybe offering Domestic for now as an actual business for myself until perhaps some change comes about or I can find a Small Contractor interested enough to invest time in me as I have in my qualies...I know my limits & anything beyond I have a couple of close guys to call on, alongside the info I can read upon here.

 

[nickblake]

Advice for youngesters be comming sparks DONT DO IT have a look at basket weaving instead or rice growing

 

[PEG]

Well,this isn't inspiring enthusiasm in our youngs future! Seriously,times are bad across 90% of the available careers,but as bad as it WILL be,we have had these before and rest assured,boom and bust is not due to be eradicated soon....I have two sons at 4yrs and 10 yrs so this topic has been in my mind for a while.Choosing a career path solely based on expected income or any "guarantee" of continuity is not very realistic,in my own opinion.Choosing a career based on a definate interest or enthusiasm is always a better bet.If you enjoy what you do,learning comes easily,diversion to other areas of the same field are easier to achieve thus guaranteeing the "golden chalice" of work skills - that of adaptability.THIS quality,especially if you are self-employed,i believe,is priceless.I have seen this first hand over the years where lads (or lasses) can become slack in one area of work but then migrate to another fairly easily,for instance,from the domestic or industrial to PV,DC storage or Data.With a sound base of learning and the knowledge the learning never stops,you can,with hiccups and quiet spells,continue to put food on the table. So to wrap up this cheery rant,if the youngsters in question are good in the maths/physics areas,enjoy a challenge,have manners,can hold a conversation with someone without and not let it show - who knows,maybe they are the future this trade REALLY needs Cheers and Good Luck.

 

[Dcf]

I'll just add my 2p.ithought a spark could turn his hand to anything.and not worry about crossing the lines of domestic/commercial demarcation
its the way I was schooled anyway.
my oldest has just turned 17 and has left school in the worst summer job wise for years.
he has landed a job with sse as a trainee engineer conditional on him passing his highers .fingers crossed.

 

[mark ju]

Not sure i'd do it again and i've had quite a varied interesting career. Starting in electrical fitting/panel building and moving into industrial/commercial. Also did a fair bit of domestic when chasing the pricework.
Think i'd go for something a bit steadier, but what that would be i dont know.....or...

Become a pimp. Although that can have its drawbacks.. put my missus on the street once when work was a bit shy. She phoned me because she'd missed the last bus and hadn't earnt enough for a taxi. I had to pick her up. She had earnt £10.50. I said "who gave you the 50p?" She said "all of them ".