AndyW
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| posted on 17/2/11 at 08:48 PM |
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Change of career?
this may seem to be a strange idea but I fancy training to become an electrician. Always fasinated by it and would love to do "work" on a
small scale. Obviously I need to be qualified. What courses should I look for? Ideally I would want part time as I work full time at the moment.
I currently have a good job, stable company, good package etc and wont jack it all in to chase a smaller dream, but I think Im getting to that
"age" where I want to do something for myself, earn a few extra £££ if possible, and go at my own pace. What do people think, should I
persue or put it down to another whim?
Any electricians in the house? How long would I expect it to take to become qualified domestic sparky??
Thanks
Andy
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Daddylonglegs
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| posted on 17/2/11 at 09:05 PM |
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Andy,
A mate of mine who used to work in our Company took voluntary redundancy just over a year ago, and he went through the necessary hoops to get his
electrician's qualifications. Done it all now and he seems to be doing OK. He's around my age (over 21  ) and was determined not to let
age scupper his work prospects.
I am also thinking along the same sort of lines and starting my own business up, just not sure what yet. I've spent over 10years with my present
company, and although they have looked after me fairly well, I am sick of travelling all over the world and all the stress that goes with it, so am
starting to think it's maybe time fort a change.
If you like I can get in touch with the guy and find out more for you?
John
It looks like the Midget is winning at the moment......
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AndyW
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| posted on 17/2/11 at 09:09 PM |
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Cheers John, yeah, a bit more info on what he had to do would be great. Just u2u me when you get chance. thanks!!
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Confused but excited.
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| posted on 17/2/11 at 09:10 PM |
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How the hell do you become a qualified electricain in a year?
Tell them about the bent treacle edges!
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AndyW
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| posted on 17/2/11 at 09:16 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Confused but excited.
How the hell do you become a qualified electricain in a year?
Do you mean why did it take that long or thats not long enough!!!
I actually know the answer......just checking
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macc man
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| posted on 17/2/11 at 09:20 PM |
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I always wanted to be an electrician as a boy but now I have sampled the delights of running cables in lofts and under floors it
has lost some of its charm. The Industry has been hit by slow down in economy like many others so it is harder to find regular work. Not trying to
put you off but something to bear in mind. Best way to find out if you are suited is to do some work for free
with a spark. You will soon get a feel for the job. Good luck.
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coozer
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| posted on 17/2/11 at 09:25 PM |
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After 10 years as a engineer for Ford and Jag, BMW, Nissan etc I;m now driving trucks... no one shouting, no stress..
This is true....
Ring ring.. 'Hello'
Jag: Hello is that Steve?
'Yes'
Jag: Ok we have a problem and need you here within the hour..
'Who's that?'
Jag:Alan from Jaguar we need you here in an hour..
'I'm in Genk, Ford plant in Belgium, there's no way I can get there in an hour'
Jag: We have a concern, need you here right now....
'Sorry, I'm in Belgium impossible to get there before tomorrow'
Jag: I need you here within the hour
'I'll contact the plant and see who can be there, but its a 2.5 hour drive...'
Jag: Thats not good enough, I need you here within the hour.
Oh, how I miss being a supplier for JLR at Halewood..... like a hole in the head.
So, forward to the future,
Hello is that Steve?
'Yep'
Can you do a trunk for Tesco?
'Any handling?'
No, just a trailer swap
'Ok, will do'
Thanks..
So, a nice 40mph up the A1 to Livingsten, swap trailers, 3 hour break, listen to Planet Rock on me DAB, job done.
I thank you...
Steve
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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Daddylonglegs
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| posted on 17/2/11 at 09:26 PM |
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I think some of the requirements were fulfilled by virtue of his previous training and knowledge. Like me he spent a long time in the RAF as a
technician and as far as I can tell that 'fast-tracked' some of the training. I might be talking complete nads! but I will find out more
and let you know.
JB
It looks like the Midget is winning at the moment......
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AndyW
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| posted on 17/2/11 at 09:31 PM |
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This wont be to replace my current job, my current salary package is too good to chop in for now. Just something else to learn and do in small steps
and who knows, one day I could be my own boss.......
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RazMan
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| posted on 17/2/11 at 10:41 PM |
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Do you like the idea of playing with lots of wires? Try becoming a telecommunications engineer.
I have just taken the plunge and last week completed my initial training course. The money is not fantastic but reasonable considering that I am
re-training and need to learn new skills.
Broadband is the future and there is a huge demand at the moment 
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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stevebubs
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| posted on 18/2/11 at 04:42 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by RazMan
Do you like the idea of playing with lots of wires? Try becoming a telecommunications engineer.
I have just taken the plunge and last week completed my initial training course. The money is not fantastic but reasonable considering that I am
re-training and need to learn new skills.
Broadband is the future and there is a huge demand at the moment
Raz,
Are you just doing copper, or learning to terminate fibre also? If you're not doing the latter, and see an opportunity to learn to do so, grab
it...
S
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 18/2/11 at 09:06 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by RazMan
Do you like the idea of playing with lots of wires? Try becoming a telecommunications engineer.
I have just taken the plunge and last week completed my initial training course. The money is not fantastic but reasonable considering that I am
re-training and need to learn new skills.
Broadband is the future and there is a huge demand at the moment
Tbh I think wireless broadband is the future and land lines to homes and business will no longer be required or maintained. I can see a lot of BT
technicians finding themselves without any work
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JoelP
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| posted on 18/2/11 at 07:01 PM |
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you can do a 3 day course to become a spark! If you are good enough to pass the NICEIC inspections you can go full scope just like a proper spark.
Not that joe public has a chance of learning that much so fast, you would need prior knowledge.
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Ninehigh
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| posted on 18/2/11 at 07:35 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by coozer
After 10 years as a engineer for Ford and Jag, BMW, Nissan etc I;m now driving trucks... no one shouting, no stress..
This is true....
Ring ring.. 'Hello'
Jag: Hello is that Steve?
'Yes'
Jag: Ok we have a problem and need you here within the hour..
'Who's that?'
Jag:Alan from Jaguar we need you here in an hour..
'I'm in Genk, Ford plant in Belgium, there's no way I can get there in an hour'
Jag: We have a concern, need you here right now....
'Sorry, I'm in Belgium impossible to get there before tomorrow'
Jag: I need you here within the hour
'I'll contact the plant and see who can be there, but its a 2.5 hour drive...'
Jag: Thats not good enough, I need you here within the hour.
Oh, how I miss being a supplier for JLR at Halewood..... like a hole in the head.
I thank you...
Steve
Think my next line would have been:
"Do you make cars that can travel at 300mph?
Jag: No
"Well unless you're gonna get me a piggyback off superman I'm not going to be there in an hour"
I've learned in my time if you show your boss you're flexible but don't take the wee, they won't (or they'll hate on you
until you leave)
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RazMan
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| posted on 19/2/11 at 10:24 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by stevebubs
Raz,
Are you just doing copper, or learning to terminate fibre also? If you're not doing the latter, and see an opportunity to learn to do so, grab
it...
S
I was trained on copper (GPO apprenticeship a few decades ago ) and it looks as though fibre will be a likely choice for me as soon as I get the
chance to grab it. Copper will still be around for a loooong time to come but fibre is obviously being introduced a lot more now, but I can't
see fibre being a common connection to the end user for quite a while yet.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 19/2/11 at 11:15 AM |
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FTTH is coming (Fiber To the Home), many of our customers are either developing the systems or already selling them.
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RazMan
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| posted on 19/2/11 at 03:30 PM |
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Yep, BT have just taken on 1000 engineers (like me) nationwide to cope with the demand. This will allow experienced engineers to retrain for the fibre
business.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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