Retraining as an Electrician

[stevebamford]

Thanks guys - much more constructive

Can I just clarify a couple of points

1) I have no intention of ripping anyone off - either by pricing or by shoddy/dangerous work

2) I realise study and college work is required - I'm just trying to work out how much is essential vs how much is recommended (I know that most of the stuff I studied the first time round has never been used)

3) I realise I will probably be taking a pay-cut. No idea how much as nobody has hinted at what I might be taking home per day.

4) I'm seriously considering this as you can only spend so long sitting behind a desk and I'm hoping to get more job satisfaction after the change....

i'd really appreciate any more tips from the pros - maybe the ones who still enjoy their work - and especially anyone who has retrained later in life !

Thanks for all the replies

steve

 

[Weavertronix]

1. I expect most cowboys think they're doing a good job because they don't know any different - that's half the problem.

2. Around 4 years for an electrician, around 6-10 weeks for a domestic installer.

3. Ah yes, that all-important question of how much you'll be taking home.
If you're working for yourself it depends how much work you get and how efficient you are.
If you work alongside an electrician for a few months for experience, like I already said you'll probably be working for free (there are plenty of 'electricians' with the paperwork but no experience offering their services for free), otherwise Labourer's rates, which are around £7 per hour at the moment, if you can find the work.

4. Being an electrician is way better than sitting behind a desk.

 

[STI]

Just reading weavertronix last post, at least it was when i started typing I wonder if there is a lot of confusion around the terminology of "i want to become an electrician" and what being an electrician is. I note the differentiation Weavertronix makes between an electrician and a domestic installer.

So perhaps when people say they want to be an electrician what they really mean is they want to do simple domestic work.

Just a thought[/quote]

 

[sparkybird]

STI - we're all electricians!

Different skills come into play in different working environments. I know a couple of commercial sparks who won't touch domestic as they don't want to deal with individual householders - not because they think it's any 'easier'

SB