Whats The Best Way Into The Trade As An Older Learner With Family Etc?

[BlueFlashAsh]

hi guys just wondering if you had any isight to my situation. im a new farther and im in part time college 2330 im still in my first year and i work full time as a chef. im looking to get into the trade but as you know im not much use to anyone as anything other than an aprentice and because of my circustances couldnt work for the money. iv been doing small job for family and friends to gain experiance but any other ideas how i can gain  more experiance and eventually a job in the industry?

 

[m4tty]

Just don't give up mate keep trying and trying and it will fall into place eventually. I think everyone's probably struggling abit with this triple dip recession but just keep plodding away. Not much help really but keep on trying

 

[Hefferl]

Quite a few people in your position are offering their services free to anyone that can give them the experience they are after.

Based on what you've said I guess that would have to be on your days off! It might seem a little unpalatable to work for free but this is probably what you'll be competing against and it wont be forever and might just get you in. When you can do more then you can start to earn.

As m4tty says tho don't give up - if this is what you really want then you can make it happen I hope you succeed!

 

[Robin Spark]

When i did my 2330 i was the fist one in the class to buy my onsite guide, regs book and associated study books.  I revised most nights of the week (that annoyed the other half a bit!) went on internet for online study joined IET and eventually this great forum (Mrs Robin thought I was chatting up women online haha!!)

I got friendly with another guy (he had lots of experience in electrical work) on the course and offered to pull his cables and do the dirty jobs in order to gain work experience!

I also bought test equipment so I could become more proficient in its use, as using a tester at college once in a while was no good.

So really just do whatever you can, if you want to be a sparky then you've got to be in it for the love of it as there are lots and lots to learn that college doesnt even touch the surface of. If you are doing it because you've seen "EARN £40K as an electrician, plumber etc", then forget it and do something else.

For me, sparkying gives me flexibilty to suit my lifestyle and commitments, I enjoy travelling, overcoming problems and using my few brain cells that are left, job satisfaction at the end and then getting paid! 

But I dont earn a lot of money and thats the truth.  .

 

[steptoe]

yep, TBH its hard to pay someone without the experience,

I had a guy for a few days here and there,

even at 50£ a day it was costing me money, I reckon he probably made me about £20 a day,

ok, so he done a bit, but I had to check everything,

even down to him lifting and replacing floorboards, hitting pipes etc wasnt something I wanted to happen.

 

[Robin Spark]

Yes sometimes having a total newbie can slow you down too much that its not worth having. Its ok if say you have an apprentice who you can invest the time in for the hope that eventually they will start earning you money.

 

[binky]

all trainees are a bit of a burden, but if you have motivation, it will come good. Motivation is what I look for in a new guy, I can teach the rest, how quickly depends on motivation - see what I'm getting at. Personally i think you are better off in your current trade, but if you are keen, keep on with the family and friends jobs, spend a lot of time on here, study, and it will work out.

 

[BlueFlashAsh]

thanks guys im definatly keen tbh probably the most keen on my course as i enjoy the subject not just wiring things up. the whole subject is interesting especially the math and physics dont get me wrong i love wiring things up too i was going to post another question hear but i think its best to start a new thread but ill link it once i have. again thanks guys

 

[JoWW]

If it's any consolation I'm in the same boat only I had to do the 2357 as there was no wehere offerring the 2330 in my area without me having a work placement with suitable experience. I'm a single mum too which doesn't exactly work in my favour.

It's frustrating when you've got the drive and ability but i'm sure our hard work will pay off eventually

 

[ProDave]

thanks guys im definatly keen tbh probably the most keen on my course as i enjoy the subject not just wiring things up. the whole subject is interesting especially the math and physics dont get me wrong i love wiring things up too i was going to post another question hear but i think its best to start a new thread but ill link it once i have. again thanks guys

With that level of interest, I would suggest you look at something beyond just being a plain sparky?

Perhaps look at industrial, machinery, controls etc.  Look for factories that might take you on as a trainee?

It's rare these days to find someone actually interested in the physics and maths side of things so capitalise on that and set your sights a bit higher.

 

[binky]

once you have a foot in the door, it's not too hard to expand your range of activities into door entry controls, alarm systems, CCTV or solar panels (though that does cost a bit) Nothing worse IMHO than standing still doing the same old basic electrics day in, day out. Electrics are involved in just about everything these days, so plenty of opportunities to progress.

If it's any consolation I'm in the same boat only I had to do the 2357 as there was no wehere offerring the 2330 in my area without me having a work placement with suitable experience. I'm a single mum too which doesn't exactly work in my favour.

It's frustrating when you've got the drive and ability but i'm sure our hard work will pay off eventually

make a few good contacts and take on the small jobs their not interested in. Shame you are in Bradford, I've been wanting to add a female sparky to the business for a while - good for domestic works as not all women appreciate hairy arsed blokes in their houses :^O . ( not that I'm saying you couldn't do comercial or industrial) We tend to turn away a lot of things like odd light changes and stuff like that becuase they interfere too much with the work that makes real money, but the joy of these jobs for a beginner is that they are mostly quite simple, you can learn a lot from them, and because they tend to be half a day, couple of hours, can be fitted in around child care. It's how I started out having retrained at 39.

 

[BlueFlashAsh]

To be honest Dave I did have a good think about exactly that especially as alot of favtorys give good rates for aprenterships but I really want to work for myself and start my own company in a few years. But I was thinking about maybe looking into specialising into more high end systems computerised lighting electronic building systems etc but gonna leave that for time being so I can concentrate on getting going and getting the basics under me

soz on phone spelling Terible

 

[wsoppitt]

once you have a foot in the door, it's not too hard to expand your range of activities into door entry controls, alarm systems, CCTV or solar panels (though that does cost a bit) Nothing worse IMHO than standing still doing the same old basic electrics day in, day out. Electrics are involved in just about everything these days, so plenty of opportunities to progress.

make a few good contacts and take on the small jobs their not interested in. Shame you are in Bradford, I've been wanting to add a female sparky to the business for a while - good for domestic works as not all women appreciate hairy arsed blokes in their houses :^O . ( not that I'm saying you couldn't do comercial or industrial) We tend to turn away a lot of things like odd light changes and stuff like that becuase they interfere too much with the work that makes real money, but the joy of these jobs for a beginner is that they are mostly quite simple, you can learn a lot from them, and because they tend to be half a day, couple of hours, can be fitted in around child care. It's how I started out having retrained at 39.

Binky , you retrained at 39 off your own back . How did you go about getting the experience within industrial  sector ? Been in domestic for the last 15 years and cant seem to break the cycle by getting into industrial . it seems if you havent got the experience they dont want to know , so how do you get the experience if they dont want to know .

 

[Steve3948]

Binky , you retrained at 39 off your own back . How did you go about getting the experience within industrial  sector ? Been in domestic for the last 15 years and cant seem to break the cycle by getting into industrial . it seems if you havent got the experience they dont want to know , so how do you get the experience if they dont want to know .

Bullsh*t goes a long way, or it's who you know not what you know. :innocent   :innocent   :innocent

 

[Steve3948]

When I applied for an Industrial job in my early 20's they asked if I had done much MI and Conduit, I said loads, got the job.

Slow start but after a few weeks no problem, what I thought was if I'm rubbish they will just get rid of me, in the end I was pulling sets by eye.

I think you had to do a bundle a day to fit in.

 

[JoWW]

Thanks Biky (can't reply & link your comment not done enough posts apparently), trying my best to find somewhere around Bradford but not looking good unless I can go on my own but I don't feel confident enough to go it alone yet ( hey ho keep trying i'm sure something will turn up. Trying to see if I can get testing & inspection under my belt before I do level 3 so that I can try get small bit jobs to pay college fees for it, just got to convince a training centre to give me a shot early. Passed my level 2 so far just one more exam & passed 17th Edition now as well as a plastering course (so I can patch in etc and do a half decent job) so hopefully I will be of use to someone lol.

 

[Zeespark]

Jo, just do your Level 3 and maybe your 17th Edition right now. The 2391 is in another league for you right now. Have you tried some of the smaller sparkying firms locally?

Andy Guinness

 

[binky]

I have the advantage of having worked in factories for 20 years - 3 phase gear everywhere - wasn't an electrician at the time, but was doing control gear work and therefore had electrical knowledge. Since then have done some work with smaller industrial units, but wouldn't take on big stuff yet. Electrical principles are all the same, it's a question of scale, and when necessary, time spent reading and researching.

Paddler can yap too, but he does buy nice egg butties :^O

 

[JoWW]

Thanks Zeespark. I've passed my 17th Edition already and just finished and passed my level 2. I'm not sure the testing and inspection is as hard as i'm told the 2391 was, it's been changed & split in two now by C & G to 2394 & 2395 but I might be completely wrong! I've been trying to find people who've done the new ones for info.

I've asked around smaller firms and everyone seems to be struggling work wise. I've managed to source a few domestic bit jobs self employed with a couple of friends who are sparks giving me guidance/advice and signing my work off so I can at least get some experience although not ideal it's better than nothing.

 

[Zeespark]

What you have is better than nothing, which is good (experience wise that is), the 2391 is still very difficult, even though the exams have been renumbered, keep your head up, something will turn up in time. A tip for when you are out on site. Try and take a notepad and some relevantly coloured pens for you to take down notes, even if its just in your down time.

Andy Guinness