New electrical domestic installer

[Menomeno]

Hey guys I have just passed my intense 6 week course for new domestic installer I have got my level 3 domestic installer , 18th edition and initial verification certificate and I have been stressing about how everyone who needs mate/improver but they always want experience and it’s always minimum a year experience I hve just completed my course with 92% success and this is all I want to do but I don’t know how to progress with out volunteering for a year I’m in need of money and I’m 25 , just need some help can some one give me some guidance please

 

[Andy™]

an apprenticeship is 4 years. do you really think a 6 week 'intense' course is going to be much use? all you get taught is enough to pass an exam

 

[Murdoch]

What you need is hands on experience with experienced sparks. A year ago it may have been straightforward getting some paid experience but I suspect things are very different now as all I see are trades advertising for work

The Labour budget has well and truly spooked many parts of the economy and people aren’t spending

 

[poni]

join an agency

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Hey guys I have just passed my intense 6 week course for new domestic installer I have got my level 3 domestic installer , 18th edition and initial verification certificate and I have been stressing about how everyone who needs mate/improver but they always want experience and it’s always minimum a year experience I hve just completed my course with 92% success and this is all I want to do but I don’t know how to progress with out volunteering for a year I’m in need of money and I’m 25 , just need some help can some one give me some guidance please

(1) Hello welcome to the forum..

(2) My answer may not be what you want to hear...

(3) Don't give up but also be prepared to maybe start at a lower wage than you initially hoped for..

(4) Remember that statistics suggest that vast quantities of electricians will be near retirement within the next few years..

(5) Also remember that loads of these green eco friendly energy solutions are electrically related... SO opportunities are increasing NOT diminishing!!!

I suspect you may have only passed the "Regulations" aspect of electrical training...?
which is actually quite easy...

Hence why bucket loads of "training providers" offer it as a basic "cash-cow" money generator into their profits!..

What electrical design, and installation courses have you covered and passed?
i.e. what are the C&G course numbers..?

Understanding and knowledge of the current wiring regulations is only one aspect of electrical work...

A comprehensive knowledge of the physics and science relating to safe electrical design of circuits is also needed..... Not just what the current regulations require..

If I was looking to employ someone.. Personally I would avoid anyone who has only done a 6-week intense course like the plague!!

 

[DJN008]

Hey guys I have just passed my intense 6 week course for new domestic installer I have got my level 3 domestic installer , 18th edition and initial verification certificate and I have been stressing about how everyone who needs mate/improver but they always want experience and it’s always minimum a year experience I hve just completed my course with 92% success and this is all I want to do but I don’t know how to progress with out volunteering for a year I’m in need of money and I’m 25 , just need some help can some one give me some guidance please

Evening,

I saw this online and wanted to put my ten pence worth in if it helps. I totally agree with the previous comments, but I also did a fast track course over ten years ago. When you have gained your ticket in a few weeks, you basically know nothing in real world electrical works. I actually went straight into work for myself, but I only took on jobs that I knew I could do with complete competence. If I wanted to learn something, I would take on a job, and employ an experienced Sparks myself, who would show me if needed how to do things. I was fortunate that a good friend of mine had over twenty years experience. I reckon that it then took me about three years working for myself to gain enough knowledge and experience to know enough for domestic works. It then went on from there. After about three years I went from a domestic installer to an Approved Contractor, and then gained my MCS too. I failed initially the AC route, but with persistence you can do it. I know employ one guy full time, and three other qualified subbies. It can work, but you will have a lot to learn in a very short space of time. It won’t come on a plate, so you will have to work and study furthermore, to make it work, but it can be done.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

It won’t come on a plate, so you will have to work and study furthermore, to make it work, but it can be done.

This last line is very true...

Many forum members have moved into the world of mains electrical supply, design/installation/testing etc.
from other lower voltage electronics/communications backgrounds...

Yet even where the laws of physics and the various elements of the electronics & electrical supply worlds overlap... I'm not convinced that short courses can provide sufficient comprehensive knowledge to come out competent at the end of 6 weeks..?

And if you are starting with limited electrical knowledge and understanding, it is even more of a struggle to get up to speed and short courses no matter what they promises cannot bridge this gap.

As with so many products and services, a reasonable helping of common sense and reality is needed when looking at the various advertising claims, and what you will actually get for you money!

Which comes back to your last comment..... which is 100% true..
"you will have to work and study furthermore, to make it work, BUT IT CAN BE DONE."


So back to advice for the OP "Menomeno"..
you are young, you have made a start, but you are probably not quite as many rungs up the ladder as you think you are?

Try and find as many local electrical business as you can and do a bit of...
Door knocking/Telephone calls/e-mails/Snail-mail/Text-SMS/WhatsApp...
or any other communications methods you can think of...?

Try using the LABC competent persons search page, where you just stick in your postcode and "Electrics" as the trade..
https://labcfrontdoor.co.uk/find-a-competent-person
Then browse the list of local contractors to try and contact them...

Maybe ask if you could "shadow" one of their electricians for a week unpaid to aid your practical understanding and knowledge?
e.g. a bit like when school-kids do a weeks work-experience.
Don't know if that would work... but if you don't ask you never know!!?

I wish you well in your efforts to progress into the world of electrical work.