Working for free while at college...

[OllieNotts]

Hi all, after a bit of advice regarding work experience. I have been offered the chance to shadow a guy and his lads on some domestic and commercial stuff.
What tools should I take if any? He didn't say much about what I would do other then working alongside his lads and learning from them. Not sure if I should turn up with a bag of tools(I don't have a proper one yet just the college crap I got conned in to buying) so should I get some?
Please don't have a go about working for free either, the guy has offered me a chance to learn and in the current climate a day a week "work experience" could get me on somewhere else or even on to agency work. Booked my CSCS card test today for 2 weeks time so hopefully might start being able to get some contacts in the trade and a bit of paid work while I learn.

 

[i=p/u]

you should always be doing something even if not out with sparks, its plan b, c and d that how i payed or my tools and ive probably a spare tool kit for my first apprentice

 

[jamie s]

i have done nearly 2 years of weekend work and only been paid small amounts of cash and in tools which was better than cash. finally reaping the rewards as starting to do private work and most new private work comes from recommendations which is positive as people must be happy. i can 100% say that working for free (or not much) gives you the belief, skills and competence needed when trying to train/retrain as an electrician

 

[ezzzekiel]

thats why this industry is on its knees,when sparks are looking to get a decent rate with their employers they say why should you get it when joe bloggs is working for free..we'll meet you half way,how does a bowl of rice sound..

so someone with no work experience are taking fully qualified electricians work because theyll work for free - very very weak argument.

If you are happy with the offer then learn from it and when you feel youve gained what you can ask for a wage or move on, not everyone is blessed with a full apprenticship and if this is what it takes for you to succeed then good luck with it.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

as has been said here already....give it a timespan...then ask to start getting paid.....otherwise this guy wont respect you....he`l just see you as free labour and wont be interested in teaching you owt either......to him you`l just be a cable puller...or something like that....so give it a timespan...then ask to get paid properly..on the books n all that...if he`s got anything about him at all he will realise that you`v shown a committed interest in his outfit....and should act accordingly......

 

[piratebillybob]

in an ideal world nobody would work for free.

But when youve got a class of 20+ 2nd year electrical students and a class of 20+ 3rd year students all wanting an apprenticeship then its dog eat dog.

And those who are bright enough to start working for free at the start of their 2nd year will be rewarded by being ahead of everyone at the end of it.

And if the other students are foolish enough to demand big wages, too proud to not work for free or not ambitious enough to study really hard to ensure you get all distinctions then thats even better for you.

Do what you have to do to get that job. Forget pride, forget being upset at the rejections youll face. Keep ringing round, keep pestering.

Because the job market for apprentices is absolutely brutal. I know because im only 6 months into mine and i dont envy anyone trying to get one at all

 

[OllieNotts]

I have had another email today asking to meet some one for a chat in a few weeks. So I can go this week for a gander and then possibly have a crack at another firm and if neither work out people can't say I haven't tried.
I am going to treat it as work experience, 5 free days over 5 weeks just like when I was at school and I did a week(5 days) for free then. Seems fair enough, didn't plunge for tools in the end as has been said I should wait until I start being paid so I will go keen and willing and if they want me to try my hand at anything I am sure they will be watching over me anyway can't see em letting me loose In which case they shouldn't have a problem with me using their gear.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

the main thing they will be looking for ollie....will be punctuality (timekeeping) and whether you will 'get stuck in'...show an interest....also stuff like how you act and behave in other peoples property and this would include due care around peoples posessions.....they arn't going to be too concerned about you sparkying skills...yet.......it will be a 'getting to know you' period......

 

[OllieNotts]

Aye, I have done a bit of work "on site" me self for a different kind of work installing heavy equipment and had all the rollockings one needs to understand how one behaves and conducts oneself in this situation. Great advice though all the same, hopefully this thread might help others in the same boat as me to.
Will update how it goes anyway, although if it is that bad I may never come back again

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Aye, I have done a bit of work "on site" me self for a different kind of work installing heavy equipment and had all the rollockings one needs to understand how one behaves and conducts oneself in this situation. Great advice though all the same, hopefully this thread might help others in the same boat as me to.
Will update how it goes anyway, although if it is that bad I may never come back again

yes do ollie....i am sure we all would like to know how you get on mate:yes:

 

[i=p/u]

i it aint easy, i sat about many days going why have i got into this but didnt want to start applying for other jobs again, you gotta be patient and hold tight and build build build on yourself, look at me im massive with electrics now, 3 years ago couldnt wire a pplug..

tell him glenspark,

 

[i=p/u]

good money in cleaning windows if you can get set of ladders bucket and wipes , keep ya fit too for all them atics

 

[alarm man]

good money in cleaning windows if you can get set of ladders bucket and wipes

ive heard it does make the job easier..:coolgleamA:

 

[GLENNSPARK]

i=p/u's right here ollie......you build on what your given......someone has given you an inlet....up to you now to kick the door open.....

 

[OllieNotts]

good money in cleaning windows if you can get set of ladders bucket and wipes , keep ya fit too for all them atics

Funny you should say that as last few years it has been quite difficult trying to get one now I have seen 3 different ones doing my road in the last month
I am not one for heights, or repeatedly trying to get the money off the customers who will never have the money ready. Be as bad if not worse then trying to get the money off your customers as a spark!