What do they not teach you at college? Is there anything that I'm missing?

Mr Curnow · Sep 2, 2014

I've heard that when students go to college the colleges usually teach them most of what they need to know in order to be a competent electrician.

What is it that I'm missing? I've completed C&G 2330 Level 2 & 3 but have no practical experience. I'm going to set up a board at home so I can improve my speed if I ever get a job in the industry, I thought about learning the 2391 Inspection and Testing at home, then go into college when I feel ready to complete the test, I could practice installing different things on a board like they have at college.

It'll be worth it in order to get a job, If I can say to an employer that I've been practicing at home for the last year then I'm in a much better position to get the job. It's just that they don't teach you everything at college, somethings are missed out apparently...

Octopus · Sep 3, 2014

Mr Curnow said:
I started by calling up electricians from the yellow pages on my first year at college, then moved onto sending letters to companies, at one time I sent about 300 letters out still without a reply or a negative response that they weren't recruiting. I then moved onto sending out emails, going through google maps to search for employers, I've been applying for electrical engineers as well, I've sent out letter directly to the director but it's costly. I've recrently signed up for recruitment agencies, I can't think anything else than I can do, my CV is quite good, I've revised it many times. I've been asking for free work, work experience, internships, apprenticeships etc. But still nothing...

I look on the jobcentre website, most of the time they want experienced electrician, just like recruitment agencies like indeed, jobsite etc.

I can't think of anything else to do.

Thats quite a sobering tale of reality that ANYONE considering joining the industry needs to read and digest.

Maybe you should try the "visit" with CV approach to local companies and even try approaching people on sites where you see the sparkies vans - you never know, a well presented chap, oozing enthusiasm, may be given the odd days work and at the least that may just be the start.

Things are on the up, but I have a friend who relocated to Dorset a few years back and he's still struggling - but some of that is due to being picky about the work he wants to do.

I wish you the best as you come over as somebody eager to get some work and experience under their belt.

shanky887614 · Sep 3, 2014

Murdoch said:
Thats quite a sobering tale of reality that ANYONE considering joining the industry needs to read and digest.

Maybe you should try the "visit" with CV approach to local companies and even try approaching people on sites where you see the sparkies vans - you never know, a well presented chap, oozing enthusiasm, may be given the odd days work and at the least that may just be the start.

Things are on the up, but I have a friend who relocated to Dorset a few years back and he's still struggling - but some of that is due to being picky about the work he wants to do.

I wish you the best as you come over as somebody eager to get some work and experience under their belt.

another very important fact is research the company.

bigger firms only take on at certain times of the year, ring up and ask. i got through and got told when and how to apply.

with bigger firms they want cv's in at specific times and done right if not they go in the bin