So I've been wanting to enter the electrical trade for quite some time, I'll try and keep my query as brief and as straightforward as possible :
I'm 32 years old with no formal electrical qualifications, or industry experience. I'm essentially from an academic background, I've previously been to university etc and gained a useless degree.
I started an application for an apprenticeship - it's been a fairly rigorous process and the training providers who assess and train apprentices on behalf of regional employers have made quite a fuss over the fact that employers prefer school leavers etc. But anyway, I've passed the initial application process, the math exam and the initial interview, there are two more stages to complete before potentially receiving an offer.
I understand my chances aren't very good so I've been looking at other options - in particular, I've been wondering if it would be worth funding myself through a level 2 in electrical installations if this apprenticeship application should fail.. I've enquired with the college in question about this route and they've told me that if I wished to embark upon a level three in electrical installations after this, then I would need to be assessed as an apprentice before I could start.
My understanding so far is this : a level 2 on it's own is no good, at best it will pave the way onto further study via the apprenticeship route. But if I'm '' too old/past it'' etc then is there any point? Would it improve my chances of gaining any work or opportunities to say, become an electrician' s mate? If you were in my situation and desperate to enter into the trade, would you go about it a different way? I've basically been losing sleep over it.
I'm 32 years old with no formal electrical qualifications, or industry experience. I'm essentially from an academic background, I've previously been to university etc and gained a useless degree.
I started an application for an apprenticeship - it's been a fairly rigorous process and the training providers who assess and train apprentices on behalf of regional employers have made quite a fuss over the fact that employers prefer school leavers etc. But anyway, I've passed the initial application process, the math exam and the initial interview, there are two more stages to complete before potentially receiving an offer.
I understand my chances aren't very good so I've been looking at other options - in particular, I've been wondering if it would be worth funding myself through a level 2 in electrical installations if this apprenticeship application should fail.. I've enquired with the college in question about this route and they've told me that if I wished to embark upon a level three in electrical installations after this, then I would need to be assessed as an apprentice before I could start.
My understanding so far is this : a level 2 on it's own is no good, at best it will pave the way onto further study via the apprenticeship route. But if I'm '' too old/past it'' etc then is there any point? Would it improve my chances of gaining any work or opportunities to say, become an electrician' s mate? If you were in my situation and desperate to enter into the trade, would you go about it a different way? I've basically been losing sleep over it.