vegasthepom
New member
Hi
I am almost 30 and have completed a HNC in electrical engineering and then an MEng degree in electrical and electronic engineering when I was younger. I worked as an electrical/mechanical maintenance engineer in a factory and then as a building services design engineer.
I later realised that I hate sitting at a desk all week and much prefer practical work. I regret not taking the traditional apprenticeship route and feel that I was misled into going to university. Ever since I graduated I have struggled to find jobs because of more people doing degrees and there not being much industry anywhere nearby + not many companies want to take on inexperienced employees.
I recently relocated 2 hours away from home and started a new job which is assisting the electrical department of a public company. Technically I am employed as a labourer but I am carrying out electrical work such as wiring lighting circuits. My managers and the CEO have told me to apply for their internal electrician position, I told them I don't have City&Guilds or 18th Edition and they just said I am overqualified for the position and getting on okay and that they could put me through the wiring regulations.
I have came across this issue often where no one really knows where I stand between being time served and a HNC/degree, the same when I worked as a maintenance engineer to fill staff absences. The same when I have been to interviews where the company has said they take on people as electrical engineers with all different backgrounds and then fill in the gaps with qualifications. My understanding is that I should have City&Guilds or at the very least 18th Edition Wiring Regulations or ECS to be carrying out electrical work. Unless there is someone qualified to sign it off?
My relevant background includes power/lighting/3-phase starter motor installations from the HNC, conduit, working with microcontrollers/systems engineering, servicing machinery, replacing motors, fault finding on electrical and electronic circuits, wiring junction boxes, rectifiers, sensors and DIY servicing/repairs on my own cars.
I feel that most of the work I will be involved with is straight forward enough with some practice, but there are going to be some more complex things I will need more guidance with such as wiring transformers or motor control systems. All of my colleagues have been at the company for 10+ years and some are more willing to help than others
I am almost 30 and have completed a HNC in electrical engineering and then an MEng degree in electrical and electronic engineering when I was younger. I worked as an electrical/mechanical maintenance engineer in a factory and then as a building services design engineer.
I later realised that I hate sitting at a desk all week and much prefer practical work. I regret not taking the traditional apprenticeship route and feel that I was misled into going to university. Ever since I graduated I have struggled to find jobs because of more people doing degrees and there not being much industry anywhere nearby + not many companies want to take on inexperienced employees.
I recently relocated 2 hours away from home and started a new job which is assisting the electrical department of a public company. Technically I am employed as a labourer but I am carrying out electrical work such as wiring lighting circuits. My managers and the CEO have told me to apply for their internal electrician position, I told them I don't have City&Guilds or 18th Edition and they just said I am overqualified for the position and getting on okay and that they could put me through the wiring regulations.
I have came across this issue often where no one really knows where I stand between being time served and a HNC/degree, the same when I worked as a maintenance engineer to fill staff absences. The same when I have been to interviews where the company has said they take on people as electrical engineers with all different backgrounds and then fill in the gaps with qualifications. My understanding is that I should have City&Guilds or at the very least 18th Edition Wiring Regulations or ECS to be carrying out electrical work. Unless there is someone qualified to sign it off?
My relevant background includes power/lighting/3-phase starter motor installations from the HNC, conduit, working with microcontrollers/systems engineering, servicing machinery, replacing motors, fault finding on electrical and electronic circuits, wiring junction boxes, rectifiers, sensors and DIY servicing/repairs on my own cars.
I feel that most of the work I will be involved with is straight forward enough with some practice, but there are going to be some more complex things I will need more guidance with such as wiring transformers or motor control systems. All of my colleagues have been at the company for 10+ years and some are more willing to help than others
