Electrician's mate vs improver vs electrician - what's the difference?

[Electrics]

I see mates jobs asking for quals and duties to include pulling cables, termination, chasing, patching, snagging, fixing issues, basically everything except testing and inspection.

So what is a mate really and how is it different from a bonafide electrician? Is it just the qualifications? Because the jobs seem almost identical to me.

What about an 'improver'? Where does he fit in?

 

[suffolkspark]

Knowledge

 

[Petej999]

And experience

 

[snowhead]

50 years ago when I started work, an improver was an adult (over 18) apprentice.

 

[telectrix]

and a beer belly.

 

[Electrics]

Knowledge

And experience

But adverts for mates ask for knowledge, experience and qualifications now.

 

[IAmSparkytus!]

A good electricians mate to me is someone who is well capable of carrying out electrical works but doesn't have the qualifications.

Electrician is qualified.

Improver is an adult apprentice.

 

[Electrics]

A good electricians mate to me is someone who is well capable of carrying out electrical works but doesn't have the qualifications.

Electrician is qualified.

Improver is an adult apprentice.

That's the thing though, lots of adverts are now asking for qualifications for mates.

Some that i've seen just today:

• Stripping Out
• First and second fixing of electrics
• Containment installation
• Data installation
• Commercial installation experience essential.
  • ECS
  • ECS Gold
  • IPAF
  • CIS Registered
• Essential Requirements: Gold JIB / ECS Card

Sounds like a load of stuff an electrician needs tbh.

 

[Petej999]

But adverts for mates ask for knowledge, experience and qualifications now.

So you need quals, knowledge and experience, the experience may not mean electrical experience, could be any jobs you have held whilst looking for a n Electricians Mate job, it all counts in my opinion, there may be detractors, but I held interviews for all sorts so I have some experience.

 

[IAmSparkytus!]

Wouldn't have thought anyone with a sparks card would apply for a mates job