Ey oop!
I've been lurking for a while now and thought it was high time I introduced myself and outlined my plans... retraining for a career as an electrician. No throwing things at the back, please!
I've been a sound engineer in the film industry for nearly 15 years but the freelance world in this line of work is very hit & miss... more miss than hit for a lot of us in recent years. I've thought about retraining as a sparky for a while now and have decided that the time is right. I'm sick to the back teeth of doing a s*** job in a factory to pay the bills whilst vainly waiting for film work to come along.
With that in mind, I've decided to enroll at a training college to set me off on my way to becoming an electrician. I've been looking at PASS Training in Stockton for my courses but don't worry, I do not believe for one second that I'll be an electrician after a few weeks on an intensive course. (I'm a couple of years short of 40 with a young family to support so an apprenticeship and/or long college course really isn't a viable option for me). I aim to get my Domestic Installer/Part P qualifications under my belt and possibly PAT testing too (finances permitting) and then begin to learn how to become an electrician.
A good mate of mine is a builder and he's said once I've got my Part P he'll give me all the work he can, which is great. Especially as it will not only get me earning some money but I'll be gaining valuable experience too.
Meantime, I'm trying to work out which qualifications I really need first and look at starting to learn about 'lectrickery. I have no previous electrical experience other than changing the odd pendant light fitting/installing a dimmer switch at home. One of my previous jobs (whilst waiting for film work) was as a self-employed handyman so I know about pricing work up for a big job and hearing nothing back, invoices not getting paid on time etc. etc! Added to this I'd say I have general common sense and a decent aptitude for 'hands-on' work which will hopefully stand me in good stead.
Anyway, I've rambled on enough. If anyone can offer advice/help with my plans then I'm all ears.
Ta.
I've been lurking for a while now and thought it was high time I introduced myself and outlined my plans... retraining for a career as an electrician. No throwing things at the back, please!
I've been a sound engineer in the film industry for nearly 15 years but the freelance world in this line of work is very hit & miss... more miss than hit for a lot of us in recent years. I've thought about retraining as a sparky for a while now and have decided that the time is right. I'm sick to the back teeth of doing a s*** job in a factory to pay the bills whilst vainly waiting for film work to come along.
With that in mind, I've decided to enroll at a training college to set me off on my way to becoming an electrician. I've been looking at PASS Training in Stockton for my courses but don't worry, I do not believe for one second that I'll be an electrician after a few weeks on an intensive course. (I'm a couple of years short of 40 with a young family to support so an apprenticeship and/or long college course really isn't a viable option for me). I aim to get my Domestic Installer/Part P qualifications under my belt and possibly PAT testing too (finances permitting) and then begin to learn how to become an electrician.
A good mate of mine is a builder and he's said once I've got my Part P he'll give me all the work he can, which is great. Especially as it will not only get me earning some money but I'll be gaining valuable experience too.
Meantime, I'm trying to work out which qualifications I really need first and look at starting to learn about 'lectrickery. I have no previous electrical experience other than changing the odd pendant light fitting/installing a dimmer switch at home. One of my previous jobs (whilst waiting for film work) was as a self-employed handyman so I know about pricing work up for a big job and hearing nothing back, invoices not getting paid on time etc. etc! Added to this I'd say I have general common sense and a decent aptitude for 'hands-on' work which will hopefully stand me in good stead.
Anyway, I've rambled on enough. If anyone can offer advice/help with my plans then I'm all ears.
Ta.