where to start to hit the ground running?

[not_today]

I am taking a five day introduction to domestic electronics in the the next few weeks and would like to do some reading/ research so i can hit the ground running when i get there. I have a limited knowledge of electrics but im sure a lot of you guys at the top of your game had to start from the beginning as well!

If anyone can link me to any decent websites that can give me a decent grounding into the theory side of electrics i would really appreciate it.


many thanks

Sam

 

[Brendan976]

I assume you mean domestic electrics? This will be a steep learning curve, I have been an approved electrician since 1973 and I am still learning. All the latest week long course providers wil take your money but give you very little knowledge after one week.
Ben

 

[not_today]

cheers for reply Ben. i know it will be a steep learning curve and i am fully prepared to put the hours in to achieve my goals.

I am planning on taking this course to see if i have the aptitude for it to start with them i am planning on trying to find an apprentiship, failing that i will consider doing another course.

Can you point me in the direction of any material online?

Cheers

Sam

 

[telectrix]

is this 5 day course being run by your local colege with a view to a proper course lasting 2-4 years, or is it a " train to be a qualified spark in 5 weeks"?

 

[Adam W]

You could probably get an apprenticeship without this 'course'.
Try contacting some local companies and asking if they have any opportunities.

 

[not_today]

@telectrix - it a course run by a construction skills trainng provider. not a college in the academic sense (it does not have .ac.uk in its url)

courses of that sort are few and far between where i live (suffolk) and i thought attending a 5 day course would give me a decent grounding into the domestic market.

i have read alot of the debates on here regarding fast track courses and i can understand the logic behind what some people are saying. However from what i have read and understand, the course content is the exact same as the college day release route, the only exception being the lack of real world experience.

i have read people commenting that the instructors at these centres will pass anyone to get their pass rates up and i do not wish to sound rude but the same could be said for college lecturers as well. they have targets to meet or they wont get the funding next year.

having worked in education i can confirm that the priority for all schools is to pass exams with little or no thought as to whether the students can put what they have learned into real life terms. its all a game, i wanted to be part of the team but i have know realised i dont like the rules! just look at the GCSE english results last summer.

thank you for your advice my friend




@adam W - I will be trying to get on an apprentiship when the weather improves. i cant imagine people being very happy and receptive on the phone with all this snow around causing them havoc.

i will be 28 on sunday and have been told you cannot get funding for an apprentice if they are over 24 so i am worried i will be laughed at when i enquire.

if you or anyone reading this could give me some advice on how to i can be successful i would really appreciate it.

cheers for the advice my firend

 

[Adam W]

When I started at my local college there was a pre-entry assessment and interview before anyone was allowed to start, then to do any of the short courses afterwards you had to prove you had the main qualification, whereas the training centres just want a credit card number and a signature.

You may as well try calling a few companies or asking any local electricians you know to see what they say. They may be able to offer advice on this particular training centre, course, or lecturer, and tell you if it will be worthwhile or a waste of money - they could be charging you a fortune for things that will be covered by the apprenticeship course anyway.

 

[cdavies33]

In my first year as an apprentice there was 2 classes with 18 in each....... and in the last year on my apprenticeship the 2 classes had be combined into to one due to lack of numbers, target my ---. You can't sit over someone shoulder for 4 years telling them the answers and you certainly can over a 5 week course! Which they do!!!!

Forgot to mention there was 14 of us left in the last year!

 

[markc123]

@telectrix - it a course run by a construction skills trainng provider. not a college in the academic sense (it does not have .ac.uk in its url)

courses of that sort are few and far between where i live (suffolk) and i thought attending a 5 day course would give me a decent grounding into the domestic market.

i have read alot of the debates on here regarding fast track courses and i can understand the logic behind what some people are saying. However from what i have read and understand, the course content is the exact same as the college day release route, the only exception being the lack of real world experience.

i have read people commenting that the instructors at these centres will pass anyone to get their pass rates up and i do not wish to sound rude but the same could be said for college lecturers as well. they have targets to meet or they wont get the funding next year.

having worked in education i can confirm that the priority for all schools is to pass exams with little or no thought as to whether the students can put what they have learned into real life terms. its all a game, i wanted to be part of the team but i have know realised i dont like the rules! just look at the GCSE english results last summer.

thank you for your advice my friend




@adam W - I will be trying to get on an apprentiship when the weather improves. i cant imagine people being very happy and receptive on the phone with all this snow around causing them havoc.

i will be 28 on sunday and have been told you cannot get funding for an apprentice if they are over 24 so i am worried i will be laughed at when i enquire.

if you or anyone reading this could give me some advice on how to i can be successful i would really appreciate it.

cheers for the advice my firend

IMO you've read wrong. Cba with the debate again on this. But don't believe what they tell you, in my eyes i can't for the life of me see you can learn the same stuff in 5weeks as you can in 4/5years no matter how intesive it is.

Good luck which ever route you take.

 

[not_today]

@ adamw that is a very valid point and i apologise for my ignorance. learing at college is definatley the best route to go.

Electrical Installations Diploma L2 | Construction Planning and the Built Environment

this is what i was looking at doing if i had the choice.


@cdavies33 thank you for your honest input. i dont mean any offence.


@mark123 - once again thank you for you input and i dont mean to offend.

 

[Adam W]

Electrical Installations Diploma L2 | Construction Planning and the Built Environment

this is what i was looking at doing if i had the choice.

Can you not just do that course?

 

[not_today]

@adamw - i will be calling the college tomorrow to enquire.


in the mean time - does anyone have any good links for me regarding domestic electrical theory?

 

[markc123]

You haven't offended me just don't want you getting brainwashed.

 

[Adam W]

You'll need to buy the new green regs book and onsite guide for the course. The regs book (BS7671) is in 'quasi-legal' speak and difficult to understand, but the onsite guide is slightly easier to read and has some pictures. It wouldn't hurt to familiarise yourself with these before the course.

 

[ayjay]

Amazon.co.uk: electrical theory: Books

youtube is your freind too