UK How useful is a level 2 in electrical installations going to be in my situation?

[Lister1987]

I completed my level 2 this year and should be going on to level 3 in September, at 33 so I wouldn't count myself as past it.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I have dipped in and out the trade since I left school , my dad was a sparky so he had contacts in the trade.
i have met quite a few people 30+who took up the trade late after a career change.
one guy I know used to be a sport centre gym manager who had absolutely no electrical background but went to evening college in his late 20s. He set up his own domestic installer business and 5 years latter employees about 10 sparks. I used to do loads of work for him when he first was trying to get off the ground and he needed help on jobs like rewires...

it can be done

 

[electricwizard]

Our situations/backgrounds are very similar! I start my course soon, in September. Can't wait. Keep us posted on your progress? Will you be seeking work as a mate/labourer alongside your studying? All the best of luck anyhow.

I'm also starting my course in September. As for work, I've managed to switch to part-time at my current job, so for a while at least I should be able to fund the course without too much trouble. As for becoming a mate/labourer, I'm going to be keeping my eyes peeled. I'm waiting until I can sit down with someone face-to-face and weigh up my options. I still have to pay the bills, so I want to balance it as best I can. That said, I really want to get hands-on experience in whatever way I can.

I'll keep you updated if I have any more ideas. I'm hoping to phone a few people up at some point and simply tell them exactly what I'm trying to do... In fact, that's why I ended up on here; I've been obsessively reading everything I can to get a good grasp at it before I start in September.

 

[Gawain]

I've just passed (well finally got certificate) for my lv3 and I'm 40, so never to old. 3rd career change, and hopefully the last as self funded and not cheap!

 

[KennyKen]

I've just passed (well finally got certificate) for my lv3 and I'm 40, so never to old. 3rd career change, and hopefully the last as self funded and not cheap!

Well Done mate, Have you got your AM2 booked?

 

[Gawain]

Well Done mate, Have you got your AM2 booked?

Nope, not got the funds for that. Was a struggle just to pay for lv2/3 and the company I'm at isn't fussed either. If anything it'll be 2391 next, but not for at least another year

 

[Nomad2345]

Nope, not got the funds for that. Was a struggle just to pay for lv2/3 and the company I'm at isn't fussed either. If anything it'll be 2391 next, but not for at least another year

Weren't you eligible for the student finance for level 3?I'm self funding level 2 but I can obtain a loan for level 3 (didn't think it was possible at first as I've already got student loans from doing a useless degree years ago)
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Nice one, that's basically my plan too - I know quite a few people who are in the electrical trade now (retired sparks, electrical engineers etc) who have been quite helpful so far with advice etc. I'm hoping with a bit more prodding and contact building that I can get the opportunity to 'help out' at some point to get a bit of experience.
If you're college is anything like mine, there may be an opportunity for work experience too I guess. I know the college I'm attending has very strong links with local industries and the town I live in is an industrial/'trade heavy' town. I swear everyone is an engineer, a plumber or a spark) so it's not unusual for people to secure work through the college itself. Granted, I'm not expecting an easy ride given age/circumstances and Covid but it's still nice to dream of rolling straight out of college and swiftly into a mate job haha.

I'm also starting my course in September. As for work, I've managed to switch to part-time at my current job, so for a while at least I should be able to fund the course without too much trouble. As for becoming a mate/labourer, I'm going to be keeping my eyes peeled. I'm waiting until I can sit down with someone face-to-face and weigh up my options. I still have to pay the bills, so I want to balance it as best I can. That said, I really want to get hands-on experience in whatever way I can.

I'll keep you updated if I have any more ideas. I'm hoping to phone a few people up at some point and simply tell them exactly what I'm trying to do... In fact, that's why I ended up on here; I've been obsessively reading everything I can to get a good grasp at it before I start in September.

 

[SamuilJo]

I'm also starting my course in September. As for work, I've managed to switch to part-time at my current job, so for a while at least I should be able to fund the course without too much trouble. As for becoming a mate/labourer, I'm going to be keeping my eyes peeled. I'm waiting until I can sit down with someone face-to-face and weigh up my options. I still have to pay the bills, so I want to balance it as best I can. That said, I really want to get hands-on experience in whatever way I can.

I'll keep you updated if I have any more ideas. I'm hoping to phone a few people up at some point and simply tell them exactly what I'm trying to do... In fact, that's why I ended up on here; I've been obsessively reading everything I can to get a good grasp at it before I start in September.

I'm also starting my course in September. As for work, I've managed to switch to part-time at my current job, so for a while at least I should be able to fund the course without too much trouble. As for becoming a mate/labourer, I'm going to be keeping my eyes peeled. I'm waiting until I can sit down with someone face-to-face and weigh up my options. I still have to pay the bills, so I want to balance it as best I can. That said, I really want to get hands-on experience in whatever way I can.

I'll keep you updated if I have any more ideas. I'm hoping to phone a few people up at some point and simply tell them exactly what I'm trying to do... In fact, that's why I ended up on here; I've been obsessively reading everything I can to get a good grasp at it before I start in September.

@electricwizard Can you give us an uodate about how your electrician career is going??

 

[kenny p]

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.

Just go for it pal im 54 years old and went to collage in 2018 starting at level 2 I have now just finished my level 3 the collage have employed me as a technition in electrical installation mid way through my level three so dont give up hope i am 22 years older than you thanks and good luck
kenny
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Hi i am 54 years old i went to collage in 2018 for my level 2 in electrical installation deploma i passed that and went for my level 3 half way through my level 3 the collage offerd me a job as a technition in electrical so i grabbed it but still doing my level three at the same time i have just passed my level 3 now and the collage have asked me if i want to be an instructor now the pay will be around 22k so all i am saying is go with your hart i am 22 years older than yourself if i can do it anyone can good luck pal hope you get what you want

 

[SamuilJo]

I'm also starting my course in September. As for work, I've managed to switch to part-time at my current job, so for a while at least I should be able to fund the course without too much trouble. As for becoming a mate/labourer, I'm going to be keeping my eyes peeled. I'm waiting until I can sit down with someone face-to-face and weigh up my options. I still have to pay the bills, so I want to balance it as best I can. That said, I really want to get hands-on experience in whatever way I can.

I'll keep you updated if I have any more ideas. I'm hoping to phone a few people up at some point and simply tell them exactly what I'm trying to do... In fact, that's why I ended up on here; I've been obsessively reading everything I can to get a good grasp at it before I start in September.

Can you give us an update?How's your electrician careear going? cheers