Work experience/trial

Martyc · Mar 6, 2016

Hi, I have managed to get a work trial next week for an electrical firm as an electrical improver (have completed my level2/3 2365 after 3 years of night college at huge expense....on a student loan), and I was wondering if anyone had any hints, tips etc.
I was totally honest and told the company I have little hands on electrical experience outside of college apart from very minor repairs (changing sockets, light fittings, cookers, hobs, changing equipment on switched fused Spurs etc) although I have worked in a general maintenance back round for 5 years so I'm used to hand tools, power tools, whipping out my tester for basic fault finding etc. I really didn't want to oversell myself and them think that I would be good to go out of the box.
For various reasons I am technically still employed until the end of the month elsewhere so I offered to do the work experience unpaid. I've never worked in an electrical firm before so what should I expect/should be expected from me? I'm happy to use my own tools/mft etc although i need to get it in for recalibration and I've agreed to get an ecs card at my own cost. Really worried I won't be what they expect, so any help/advice/encouragement would be gratefully received!

telectrix · Mar 6, 2016

no employer should expect you to use your own MFT or any other testers apart from perhaps an approved voltage indicator for safe isolation.

Richard Burns · Mar 6, 2016

I would expect a lot of tasks will be basic labour tasks, pulling cables, cutting chases (depending on the work environment you are in!)
As an electrical improver any electrical work you do should be checked by your supervisor to ensure it is correct, but many companies do not do this.
Be keen and interested, try and appear confident (even if you are not!), do ask if you are unsure what you are being asked to do but do try to have an explanation ready as well to show you have thought about it. It is far better to ask and get it right than to try without knowledge and get it wrong.

Be confident in what you know already, you should have a reasonable understanding by now, use that understanding.
Generally use the company's equipment if they are costly items such as MFTs. Remember they may have to prove the equipment and should want their own calibrations. Basic hand tools can be your own, but keep track of the investment you have in those tools, don't lose or break them in the name of this work.

They should not be expecting a fully competent electrician at this point and so ensure that you say that you do nto feel competent enough to do this alone if for example they are asking you to change a CU without supervision.

As it is a work trial put your best effort in for the trail, but do not attempt more than you are happy with.

Good luck and I hope it goes well for you and leads on to bigger and better things.