Electrician Training

Blunda

Hello

I am looking to train as an electrician but I am not in the industry and have no prior experience, I am also over 25!

I have done a little research and understand that I will need to start with the City and Guilds 2330 at level 2, is this correct? If so what other qualifications would I need?

My main reason for asking is that the fast track courses are over £3000 and there is no way I can afford that plus I work shift work so it would be difficult to attend these courses anyway. Can anyone recommend a way that I can study from home and spend as little as possible?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

TrickyWicky

Study to be an electrician from home? Thats not possible due to the very nature of the practical work.

You're not just going to be learning how to wire up a plug (and from a course I did years ago the plugs they taught you on were far different and trickier than those you use at home) you're going to learn a whole host of other things from RCDs to distribution panels. All of which needs to be inspected and assessed by a real person who is teaching you and putting you forward for your examinations.

Unfortunately being a sparky isn't like being an accountant, programmer, lawyer etc where you can read and write things at home. The same applies for gas engineers and plumbers. Sorry if thats not what you wanted to hear.

LadyMissA

Blunda wrote: »

Hello

I am looking to train as an electrician but I am not in the industry and have no prior experience, I am also over 25!

I have done a little research and understand that I will need to start with the City and Guilds 2330 at level 2, is this correct? If so what other qualifications would I need?

My main reason for asking is that the fast track courses are over £3000 and there is no way I can afford that plus I work shift work so it would be difficult to attend these courses anyway. Can anyone recommend a way that I can study from home and spend as little as possible?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Lots of places will take you on as a trainee & let you go to college too at the same time.

Glass_Half_Empty??

Blunda wrote: »

Hello

I am looking to train as an electrician but I am not in the industry and have no prior experience, I am also over 25!

I have done a little research and understand that I will need to start with the City and Guilds 2330 at level 2, is this correct? If so what other qualifications would I need?

My main reason for asking is that the fast track courses are over £3000 and there is no way I can afford that plus I work shift work so it would be difficult to attend these courses anyway. Can anyone recommend a way that I can study from home and spend as little as possible?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Fast track courses wont teach you anything and you wont be respected in the trade if you were to follow that route.
The level 2 is where you start yes look at your local colleges. It isnt cheap though. And they are phasing this out so you will have to do the 2357 which includes an NVQ so you need to be working in the trade to complete and sign up to the course.
I would suggest trying to get a job as a mate to start with, or even offer yourself unpaid for work experience on your days off to local sparks in your area and see if it brings you a better opportunity.
I gave up a permanent job to go to college and do the level 2 and even though I am 29 I have been offered a trainee job starting later in the year. It isnt all doom and gloom but it hasnt been easy either living with no spare cash has been hard.
Good luck.

ohreally

Most employers will look for evidence of a formal apprenticeship and outwith that a qual in inspection and testing i.e. 2391 (or the new 2395).

There are jobs out there for 2391 holders (or competent inspectors) who aren't electricians, but to be honest, if you are lacking experience you will likely struggle with insp & testing.

Why not put a toe in the water and try 2382 - you don't need to be a spark and is multi choice, and see how you get on.

saintjammyswine

Speak to your local FE College about apprenticeships and courses available. they will be able to advise on cost and whether local firms are recruiting apprentices at the moment. They will have contact with dozens of electrical firms and may be able to help you.