Build a Rewarding New Career Via Electrician Courses
Electricity and the electrical industry play a vital role in all of our lives. Everybody relies on a safe and continuous output of supply, and on skilled workers to manage it. Essentially the work involves installing, maintaining and testing electrical systems, equipment and appliances under strict safety regulations. In 2009, over six hundred thousand people were employed in one sector or another of the UK's electrical industry. So if you're looking to retrain for a new career, an electrical course could be just the thing for you.
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To start generating an income you need the most appropriate training to get you into the industry fast. Take a look at our regularly up-dated e-book to get to grips with the best training route for you. You can download your own copy in seconds, and we won't charge you a penny! It'll help you see the wood from the trees where electrical training's concerned. It makes sense to go through that first before you do anything else.
When you understand what you're after, get back onto this webpage and check out some of the course options offered by companies featured here. (You can Bookmark this page by typing in 'Ctrl D' for easy reference.)
Will I Be Able To Do It?
What kind of abilities do electricians need? The work is very practical and hands-on, so you must be good with your hands, and be able to use tools competently. Systematic attention to detail is necessary in order to comply with safety guidelines. Your training will give you the technical knowledge, but you must have the capacity to solve problems as you go. Your balance should be good, along with your colour vision and general fitness level. And basically, if your goal is self-employment, you must have drive and determination.
Control Your Own Future
Many career-changers consider electrical work so they can set themselves up in business. The majority of adult students in reality head down that track. It's not surprising when you look at the amount of work in the domestic market in particular. There are people who train to do part time electrical work when their existing work is a bit light.
Still others train in order to save paying trades people to do their electrical work.
Happy clients will sing your praises to all and sundry when you've carried your work out well. Be sure that you're pleasant and courteous whenever you're in someone else's home - apart from being the right thing to do, it could bring in a lot more work!
Some electricians employed by big companies work shifts, but most work a regular eight hour day during the week. Salaries generally come in around the 26,000 mark, though it's higher than that in some areas. Domestic electrical contractors in their own business are wise not to stick too rigidly to a 9-5 routine, as they can bring in a great deal more money if they're flexible. They must think about their expenses though when quoting for jobs.
How Do I Begin?
The two relevant trade certification boards in Great Britain are EAL and City & Guilds. Some people (mainly youngsters out of school) also attain NVQ certifications through industrial placements. This typically will take three to four years. Re-trainers over the age of about 25 mostly study shorter courses part time, much of it at home. This type of coursework prepares students mostly for domestic jobs, so negates the need for the more extended NVQ's. Various training routes are offered by commercial colleges that will quickly lead to industry recognised qualifications. So whilst trainees emerge with more limited qualifications, they are still considered competent and qualified to carry out the more in-demand jobs.
Domestic Installer Courses
Probably a good place to start would be on a course that prepares you for your EAL level 2 Domestic Electrical Installer. You'll be taught a basic understanding of electrical wiring in the home and standard safety procedures. You'll be prepared for the EU Building Regulations qualification known as Part P.
A second essential qualification from C&G is the 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations. Working towards these industry-recognised qualifications will equip you not only to work on jobs in kitchens and bathrooms, on lighting circuits and wall sockets etc. but also to self-certify them as well. You should find a typical domestic electrical training programme takes between 300 hours and 400-500 hours, and is a mixture of home study and workshop assessments.
You could be successfully working in customers' homes a few short months from now - building your future on solid ground.
