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Looking At Electrical Courses For A New Career

Change Careers Now To Become a Working Electrician

The world as we know it would grind to a halt without electricity. Consequently good electrical workers are crucial to all of us. As there are many different jobs within the industry, the nature of an electrician's work will depend on the type of specialist training they've had. 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.

Is It For Me?

What characteristics are needed to succeed as an electrician? You'll need to be a hands on, practical sort of person who's good with tools. You should have a logical, orderly way of thinking, and be safety conscious at all times. You must be happy working alone if you're considering self-employment. You'll also need to have perfect colour vision and to be physically fit, as some of the work is quite strenuous. Essentially, you'll need commitment and enterprise if you plan to start out on your own.

FREE Detailed Report on Electrical Training

You might already have a little experience, or you might be starting from scratch - either way the right training and qualifications are vital. To simplify things, you'll find it a lot easier to understand what courses are right for you when you've gone through our respected e-book. You can download your own copy in seconds, and we won't charge you a penny!

It will shed light on all the different training programmes you read about and help to clarify what you need. Why not download the book first and take time to read through its contents. Then re-visit this site to find links to various trainers and colleges who might have what you need. (You can Bookmark this page by typing in 'Ctrl D' for easy reference.)

Be Your Own Boss

The driving force to get back into training is often motivated by a person's goal to work for themselves. Most newly qualified adult electrical workers choose to either work for themselves, or on a contract basis. With continued high demand (especially in the domestic market) this makes a lot of sense. Some people train so they can do electrical work part-time to generate additional income. Others want the skills and legal qualifications to do more of their own DIY.

The beauty of doing electrical work is that every good job you do will be talked about by your clients. Obviously, the same goes for any bad experience they have! 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!

Thirty seven to forty hours a week is normal for most commercially employed full-time electricians. They can expect an average income of twenty-six thousand pounds a year taking the UK as a whole. Electricians who work for themselves and take on a variety of domestic jobs can bring in significantly more than that, although their hours are usually longer. They will need to take their overheads into account as well though.

Where Should I Start?

In the UK, look primarily for C&G (City & Guilds) and EAL (EMTA Awards Ltd) training. In addition, teenagers doing C&G exams at technical colleges will find working assignments to complete their more practical NVQ's. This requires a 3 or 4 year commitment.

So older career changers tend to go for less lengthy courses that they can fit in around their current work. They usually target their skills for domestic work, which means NVQs are not needed. Private electrical training companies can get students through their courses and on their way in a matter of months. So whilst trainees emerge with more limited qualifications, they are still considered competent and qualified to carry out the more in-demand jobs.

What Might This Training Cover?

Although course contents will vary slightly, every level 2 EAL Domestic Installer Course will follow a proven track. You'll be taught a basic understanding of electrical wiring in the home and standard safety procedures. Your training will enable you to qualify for Part P - now a legal requirement for all domestic electrical workers.

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.

Obviously the speed you can get through a course depends on your existing commitments, but allow about four to five hundred hours for training in total. You could be successfully working in customers' homes a few short months from now - building your future on solid ground.