Retraining to become a self employed Electrician - HELP REQUIRED PLEASE

[Lister1987]

Thanks for that mate. I’m going to see if I can get full time paid work as a mate whilst I train and build up skill set. Fortunately, I can afford to buy a few tools to get me started so I guess it’s just finding someone who will take a punt on someone who is probably less experienced. If not, I guess it will have to be working for free in my spare time (weekends, evenings)

Thanks and all the best with your journey too, hope I can make some positive steps and update you on my progress soon too! ??

Drop Dan/Lou a message and join the Trainees Section as you'll find a wealth of infop there.

 

[diced carrots]

If not, I guess it will have to be working for free in my spare time (weekends, evenings)

Good experience is invaluable and it's probably worth your while working for free for a while. I think if you're working for free you need to be sure you're getting paid in knowledge / experience. I'm sure some will be happy to let you carry tools and pull cables for nothing, but you'll not learn much that way.

If you're a) making an investment in tools, b) you have enough intelligence to learn the basics quickly, and c) you're diligent and thorough in your work you'll soon become a valuable asset to whoever you're working for and paid work will follow.

 

[HJ_180]

Good experience is invaluable and it's probably worth your while working for free for a while. I think if you're working for free you need to be sure you're getting paid in knowledge / experience. I'm sure some will be happy to let you carry tools and pull cables for nothing, but you'll not learn much that way.

If you're a) making an investment in tools, b) you have enough intelligence to learn the basics quickly, and c) you're diligent and thorough in your work you'll soon become a valuable asset to whoever you're working for and paid work will follow.

Completely agree, happy to work for free as long as I’m actually learning.

Can I ask what your plan is once you’ve done the L2? Will you go onto L3 and eventually do the NVQ also or is that not required in this particular route. Have you already done wiring regs or does that wait until the 2365 is complete.

Also my local college only does an EAL certificate rather than C&G do you think this would be a problem at all?

Cheers

 

[Lister1987]

Completely agree, happy to work for free as long as I’m actually learning.

Can I ask what your plan is once you’ve done the L2? Will you go onto L3 and eventually do the NVQ also or is that not required in this particular route. Have you already done wiring regs or does that wait until the 2365 is complete.

Also my local college only does an EAL certificate rather than C&G do you think this would be a problem at all?

Cheers

I think the whole C&G v EAL is a moot point, they cover (afaik) the same content, just a (I think) lesser known exam board. My continuation after L2 L3 is above as you've seen and I think most will be some additional course(s) after college, if for no other reason than to get 18th edition.

 

[diced carrots]

Completely agree, happy to work for free as long as I’m actually learning.

Can I ask what your plan is once you’ve done the L2? Will you go onto L3 and eventually do the NVQ also or is that not required in this particular route. Have you already done wiring regs or does that wait until the 2365 is complete.

Also my local college only does an EAL certificate rather than C&G do you think this would be a problem at all?

Cheers

TBH I need to sit down and work all of this out! But the plan at the moment I'm planning to go straight on to L3 after L2 and complete my NVQ3 along the way at work. Once that's all done I need to move on to AM2.

My L2 course is good but i do find it's pace frustrating. The practical side is all about getting the skills you need to go out and find work; basic wiring, dead testing, working with trunking / conduit, etc. But I'm finding that I'm picking up these skills at work more quickly than they are being introduced on the course. The theory side is relatively straightforward, lots of H&S, some basic mathematics and some electrical theory. We haven't done much in terms of wiring regs yet and I think that will mostly wait for L3.

L3 is more about regs and installation design as far as I understand it. I think L3 is a significant step up from L2 which makes me wonder if I need to set aside some study time in addition to my work and family committments.

I can't comment on EAL vs C&G I'm afraid as my knowledge here is even more scant than my electrical knowledge!

 

[JAWS]

@diced carrots yes the L3 is defiantly a step up from the level 2 I think we worked it out the other week its around 10 exams in the level 3 which include practical's, couple of written exams & the usual multiple choice its non stop.

They will throw some regs in but it will mainly science and inspection and testing, much of the cable calculations etc you learned on the level 2

 

[Curtis123]

Hi Everyone,

New to the forum so please excuse any stupid questions which may come below. Sorry if this is long winded but I want to give a good overview of my situation to ensure I get the best advice.

I have very basic electrical knowledge and experience but I enjoy and get satisfaction from doing hands on DIY electrical work. I can change light switches, plug sockets etc - Generally very hands on and have a basic understanding of the science behind electrical work.

I'm only 24 and want to change my professional career to become a self employed Electrician. The problem is that i'm currently working in an a complete different industry (office work). I really do not enjoy it but it pays for my mortgage and other bills. I ultimately want to work for myself as an electrician (maybe start working in evenings and weekends and eventually take it on full time)

I've researched quite a bit and it seems I have some options available to get qualified but i'm keen to get some advice to see which is best suited to my situation

1) There is a fast track (20day) 'domestic' electrician course near me which i've heard mixed reviews about - I understand that this not qualify my as a fully fledged 'electrician' but could I complete this and join a Part-P Scheme so I can start getting some small jobs & experience locally? Could I then potentially use training providers to get fully qualified over time? FYI this course offers Part P Course City & Guilds 2393,18th Edition Wiring Regulations 2018 City & Guilds 2382, Inspection and Testing City & Guilds 2392.

2) There is also a 16 month college evening course which will give me a Level 2 EAL qualification - this seems like a more legitimate qualification to have and would go on to do Level 3 afterwards but does this mean I won't be able to get hands on experience until fully completed?

3) There is a training provider that offer full C&G Level 2/3 course which goes on for about 4 months - This is not really viable as it would require me to leave my job to attend and have no source of income for a fairly long period of time. This also applies to the traditional apprenticeship route.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[timhoward]

1) There is a fast track (20day) 'domestic' electrician course near me which i've heard mixed reviews about - I understand that this not qualify my as a fully fledged 'electrician' but could I complete this and join a Part-P Scheme so I can start getting some small jobs & experience locally? Could I then potentially use training providers to get fully qualified over time? FYI this course offers Part P Course City & Guilds 2393,18th Edition Wiring Regulations 2018 City & Guilds 2382, Inspection and Testing City & Guilds 2392.

Just to comment on this bit. 20 days study might get you the exams passed but is a world apart from using the theory on real installations.
My understanding is that you won’t get into a part-p scheme on the strength of those qualifications. They used to require 2 years experience plus 18th edition, but things have changed now and they are wanting NVQ/EAL for new applications.

One approach to consider might be finding an electrician to shadow, see if you can change your job to 4 days a week and gain some practical experience as a mate for the other one, and take evening classes to build your qualifications.
All the best for your journey.

 

[Curtis123]

Hi Everyone,

New to the forum so please excuse any stupid questions which may come below. Sorry if this is long winded but I want to give a good overview of my situation to ensure I get the best advice.

I have very basic electrical knowledge and experience but I enjoy and get satisfaction from doing hands on DIY electrical work. I can change light switches, plug sockets etc - Generally very hands on and have a basic understanding of the science behind electrical work.

I'm only 24 and want to change my professional career to become a self employed Electrician. The problem is that i'm currently working in an a complete different industry (office work). I really do not enjoy it but it pays for my mortgage and other bills. I ultimately want to work for myself as an electrician (maybe start working in evenings and weekends and eventually take it on full time)

I've researched quite a bit and it seems I have some options available to get qualified but i'm keen to get some advice to see which is best suited to my situation

1) There is a fast track (20day) 'domestic' electrician course near me which i've heard mixed reviews about - I understand that this not qualify my as a fully fledged 'electrician' but could I complete this and join a Part-P Scheme so I can start getting some small jobs & experience locally? Could I then potentially use training providers to get fully qualified over time? FYI this course offers Part P Course City & Guilds 2393,18th Edition Wiring Regulations 2018 City & Guilds 2382, Inspection and Testing City & Guilds 2392.

2) There is also a 16 month college evening course which will give me a Level 2 EAL qualification - this seems like a more legitimate qualification to have and would go on to do Level 3 afterwards but does this mean I won't be able to get hands on experience until fully completed?

3) There is a training provider that offer full C&G Level 2/3 course which goes on for about 4 months - This is not really viable as it would require me to leave my job to attend and have no source of income for a fairly long period of time. This also applies to the traditional apprenticeship route.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Can I ask how you got on with it in the end?