MITZ@CougarStore Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Agreed, great gesture, Pete/Caroline... I've had a quick word with Caroline who is a careers and training advisor for Careers Wales. She deals with adults who are in the same position as you so she's going to gather some info which I'll post shortly for you . Although she only deals with people who live in Wales she also has contacts with the English equivalent of Careers Wales. That's because she works on the England/Wales border. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MK-Ultra Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 As many others have said i your not happy and earning such little money, change now while you can, 25 is not too old. I'm an electrician and have just complete my C&G 2391 inspection and testing, which now allows me too sign off my own work. I'm 28 in August and decided at 22 that i really needed to get a carrer that would give me opportunities so i decieded to train as an electritian. If you want any advice i'd be happy to help as i've just been through the whole college process over the last few years. Just drop me a PM and ask away!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maccaman Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 I think you know in your own mind that a change needs to happen, though it's a big leap of faith. My eldest son got a job with a company that sent him to college to learn to be an electrician. A cost was deducted from his monthly pay & was to be paid back after 2 years if he completed and passed the course. IRC, in the 1st year he did so many days at college & the rest at work. Unfortunately he was made redundant in the 2nd year but carried on with the course. After a short time he was put forward for an interview with a company that was looking for someone who was part way to being trained. He got the job, finished his course and became a maintenance electrician. He learnt how to operate & programme Siemens control systems as well, all of which eventually led to him moving to live & work in America. As you can see from his story there are all sorts of oppurtunites that can come your way when you have a trade that is sort after. So go for it, it's your life & future that you are talking about after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetSet Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 O.K, This is the site that Caroline uses. Its applicable to the whole of The U.K. https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/Pages/home.aspx To get you started go to The "Planning your career" box near the top of the screen and then the "skills health check" box. This will take an hour to fill in apparently . You will need to register on the site before you start I think. The English equivalent of Careers Wales is called Connextions, however, the service varies from area to area, some offer adult guidance, some don't. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
varley16 Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 col is your best man to talk to, gave me loads of help with my cv, discussed what my skills are, i went from a vehicle tech to service advisor, even though its in the same trade, its hard to go from a productive staff to non productive, but im doing it as it leads to managment, thanks to col and all his help im now working towards a career that i gave up on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruddles Posted February 15, 2012 Author Share Posted February 15, 2012 Thank you all for you're positive attitude to this stage in my life and many thanks to you and your wife Jetset!! I will be filling the form in on the website tomorrow afternoon as soon as I'm home I'll be stopping by the nearest college tomorrow to gather as much information as I can, after being let down in a meaningless for so long I'm very, very happy that there's finally a glimmer of hope of the horizon. Won't be setting my heart outright, but even these first steps have really improved my current state of mind!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmgthatsme Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Hi Ruddles, Really impressed that at your young age (I'm 50+) you have the presence of mind to take stock and make the decision to move on. While I have worked for the same multinational since before I graduated, I have changed fields every 5 or so years to keep life interesting as I find repetition brain numbing! I have been fortunate to do everything from sales, marketing, factory construction team project management, logistics, factory management, business unit management, administration and soon to move into Training & Development . I have done all this within the same company and in different countries so I kept all benefits accruing and I could do whatever interested me. If I couldn't I would have left. I believe you have already left your employer in your mind and only need to "follow up" with the actual situation. Do try to leave on good terms, get references from your employers and a commitment from any friendly managers to continue to act as references for your future. Always pays to leave under good terms. Do your absolute best up to the minute you leave the firm. Avoid bad mouthing the company in the interim to co-workers etc.; these same people have chosen to stay and their loyalties to you will largely end once you step out the door. Envy of your decision may cause ex-colleagues to bad mouth you affecting references after you leave so don't risk it. Being modest and unassuming in this situation never hurt. Being young, you have such great opportunities ahead and I think its fantastic that you wish to pursue a field in which you have passion. Keep that and the career, opportunities and payback will come. Congratulations in your decision; make the next steps carefully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitstew Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Being young, you have such great opportunities ahead and I think its fantastic that you wish to pursue a field in which you have passion. Keep that and the career, opportunities and payback will come. Congratulations in your decision; make the next steps carefully +1 The biggest problem ive had when trying to make career decisions in the past is that it is nearly always a trade of between doing a job which will earn you money, but you dont really like. Or, doing a job you love and not getting much money for it. Its a very lucky person who gets paid loads for doing a job they love! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff-r Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Ruddles, I sympathise with you on this mate. I currently work a similar job to you whereby being qualified by experience doesn't count nearly as much as being qualified and getting qualified is very hard. Employers in the field I work in are reluctant to offer full study support, I'm pushing to get put through ACCA but it's proving very difficult, there's a lack of jobs in the area and competition is fierce. I have considered training up in a trade as all the people I went to school with who dropped out after GCSEs went on to get apprenticeships and have since done really well for themselves, some setting up businesses etc. Whilst a large majority who went to uni are now struggling and not doing as well. I'll be honest I much prefer getting my hands dirty to sitting at a desk 5 days a week. Unless I get qualified I can't see myself doing this forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruddles Posted February 16, 2012 Author Share Posted February 16, 2012 Hi Geoff, yes I too thought I could be a magician in the IT sector of my current employer, but after nearly 5 years of 'nothing-ness' I think I'm making the right decision to change career at 25 which is apparantly still a very young age!! Jetset- I have just completed the form and yes....it did take over an hour . Funnily enough I am far more suited to Engineering, Creative arts and Construction industries than Medical, IT, etc. and as it happens Electrician is very high on the list Did try the local college, but realised it's half term so there's no one there Although Anni (g/f) will be popping in for me next week and asking an advisor and electrical tutor, so hopefully I can arrange a meeting with one of them or both. Will also be finding out if the company my dad works for will employ me and put me through training, not getting my hopes up. Just a light on the horizon! rmgthatsme- I certainly won't leave on poor terms, it's been a dead-end, but I suppose it's also been experience (good and bad). I will hopefully be able to keep a few people in regards to references for future jobs, etc. Again, thank you for your kind words! Thanks to everyone again for their comments!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Sorry had to laugh at the half-term bit sorry At least there wasn't a queue Hope it all goes well for you fella, and if it doesn't then there is always someone worse off than you work wise.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 I have changed career more than once, not easy. At your age it would not be difficult to get into the electrical trade. It should take you 3 years to train before being qualified. Could be difficult to find a company to take you on at this time but worth asking around. Alternatively you could achieve this by working full time self employed as an Adult Trainee getting work through Electrical Agencies and attending College part time in the evening. Course, Electrical Building & Structure. Year 1. City & Guilds 2330 Level 2 (2 nights a week at College) Year 2. City & Guilds 2330 Level 3 (2 nights a week at College) Year 3. NVQ Level 3 Electrical Installation (about 1 year to achieve) Could follow this after 2 years qualified with City & Guilds 2391 (Test & Inspection) Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK350Z Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 25 is no age at all mate, I didn't know where I was heading till then. I did an apprenticeship originally, but then left to go to Uni full time, and eventually ended up back on the tools again. Probably no use to you yet, but once you've got your basic C&G or NVQ 2 under your belt, theres plenty of jobs in our bit (windymill maintenance), I'll even spilt the £1000 referral bonus with you.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humpy Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Your still a young chap and good for you for doing something about it, it's taking the plunge and knowing what direction to take is the hardest bit. In the last couple of years I had a major turn around from being in the IT industry and then followed by working in Children Services with the Local Authority to doing something for myself. A lot of hardwork and taken a step back on the money sides of things but at the end of it I will reap the benefits. Good luck and all the best in whatever you choose Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparksCW Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 How do you afford a 350z on £12k p.a!? I run an electrical contractors with my dad, I started as an apprentice and worked my way up. It's definetly a good career choice, if you are good you will always have work or be able to find work and the areas you can expand into or specialize in once qualified is vast. I'm just expanding the company into home automation, lighting control and audio/visual etc. You can also specialize in building control, lighting, fire alarms, intruder alarms.. the list is endless, the skills are all very similar you just need to learn the appropriate regulations and systems/design in each section. Only thing I'll say is it's very hard to get an apprenticeship in this industry, work is tough at the minute, most people are struggling to some degree and there's a lot of people fighting for a few apprenticeship spots.. I get a good few letters/CV's/Emails a week, so there's a lot of people looking, but don't let that stop you trying (for one, most letters and emails I receive have @*!# grammar and spelling so go straight in the bin!) and also there's no point giving up on something before you start. Apprenticeship pay is low, but I think you'll clear £12k p.a and within a few years of hard work you'd be up to £24k + depending where you work. Good luck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruddles Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 Thanks Dave, yeah I probably looked a bit dim-witted to a passer by, but there was nothing to say it wasn't open (usually there's at least a receptionist available) Thanks the the rest who've posted. SparksCW- I have no idea really, lets just say I doubt I'll be getting a house anytime soon Generally I'm quite good at saving, I never run myself into the red! Hopefully I'm aiming at Adult trainee status (providing someone will take me on) so I don't have to take a serious pay cut and of course lose the Zed! I studied professional CV's on the net before I set mine out and now it's a shortened 3-page CV. English and spelling I have always been pretty good at, so in terms of explaining myself and paperwork I shouldn't have a problem there. I live in the Herefordshire & Worcestershire bordering Gloucestershire catchment area so I've a few avenues available to me. AK350Z & Ken - Going off your initial impressions I'm guessing your both in the electrical if not construction trade? I'm looking at the available courses in my local college, but still none the wiser as to which I'm to begin with. Full-time courses would I assume be the direct route if I were to be lucky enough to find an employer, otherwise It's part-time evenings whilst I keep my current job. Part-time courses at a local college: http://www.hct.ac.uk/Courses/pt_electrical.html Full time: http://www.hct.ac.uk/Courses/ft_elect.html Of course this is just one college as Worcester is also available to me. I'm just trying to get a basic idea of where to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 One slight word of caution I guess Ruddles and this isn't really meant to mega put you off but just food for thought. Everyone in a recession thinks they can just retrain for a trade and next minute a weak market place is flooded with newbies. I work for a finance company and I deal with lots and lots of self emp trades people - many are now out of work, working twice as hard to earn the same money or are constantly being pi**ed about by people they work for. Its a tough old world at the moment and many of these markets are totally saturated (the best example is people come out of work and because they can drive all of a sudden everyone is a taxi driver!) As said above it doesn't always appear easy to get work experiance because your basically viewed as a competitor in an already ferocious industry. Good luck though - at least you've nothing to lose, no mortgage, kiddies etc........if there was ever a time to take a punt its now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maccaman Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 If of any help I have been given info from an electrician I asked about courses. Try looking at JTLTraining.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Go for engineering mate, the moneys great and a good job also. What I would advise it to apply to maintenance firms, lots do adult apprenticeships. With maintenance you will always have work and dont usually need to be site based which means you get a van etc to use. Installers are still good paid but alot of the guys I know are site based and dont get a van etc and get paid of at the end of the big contracts. Good luck with the move mate, it will be tough but it will be worth it in the long run. Ive studied for 7 years now, 4 years doing apprenticeship at college and went on to study my hnc to become a building service design technician/project manager. Hoping to go on and do my BEng Honours degree at uni but waiting to see what happens with the finances in my company. All the best, Never Look Back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruddles Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 I realise it's all a risky business changing jobs these days, but it seems to apply to every job so i'm positive . I'm driven and passionate about changing my circumstances and being in a job which will be fulfilling and give me a career for life. Whilst my mindset won't get me a job, perseverence should hopefully! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 for an electrician your salary will be between 24k-30k a year usually but with overtime etc you should see upwards of 40k a year easily. I think most companies dont recognise the SJIB rate anymore and its getting done away with which isnt good for electricians but great for companies as they are saving money and the electricians rate can be set at whatever the company decides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruddles Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 Wow, you're really driving through the courses then Neil! Thanks for the positive comments . Firstly i'm going to see if i can get in with the same company my dad works for, they specialise in social housing and also are a leader in taking on improvers so maybe i'll get lucky! No great loss if not and i will take your advice and 'shop around' so to speak. Fingers crossed i'll be able to find someone and then begin learning! Any thoughts on the progression of courses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 what i would suggest is trying to get a company sponsored course as then you get paid tax free and usually a guaranteed job at the end. The best option is a sponsorship but usually the sponsor agency dont sponsor people over a certain age. I would say try and go for a Domestic/commercial gas course with bolt on courses for electrical and air con. This is what I done, my official title is HVACR building service technician. This then allows you to work on all services within a building. You can then add on 2391 testing and inspection once you have your 17th edition in electrical requirements. I have a massive list of qualifications which have been hard to get and tiresome, alot of people say jack of all trades master of none but this isnt the case anymore. My course required alot of higher grades from school (stage after gcse in england I think) and there was alot of competition to get the job). I work on all equipment every single day and slowly becoming a master of all. This is very tiring on the mind and you will only learn stuff as you go along but it is a good thing to have as companys want multitrade engineers as it saves money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruddles Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 Thanks for the help there Neil. I'll certainly have a look into that. In terms of timeframe i have none really, i'll be happy just to learn a sector i'm interested in. Will i be looking at a day release course or 2-3 days per week if i'm fortunate enough to find a sponsor or a company that will take on an improver? The benefit at this age i suppose is i'm focused on what i want to acheive and lets face it, at 18 did anyone know what they wanted to do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Thanks for the help there Neil. I'll certainly have a look into that. In terms of timeframe i have none really, i'll be happy just to learn a sector i'm interested in. Will i be looking at a day release course or 2-3 days per week if i'm fortunate enough to find a sponsor or a company that will take on an improver? The benefit at this age i suppose is i'm focused on what i want to acheive and lets face it, at 18 did anyone know what they wanted to do? lol 2-3 days is more than enough. Electrical is usually a day a week for 3 years then a year on site. I did 8 week blocks in college for my course as there was so much to learn You will enjoy it i reckon and you get to drive places you normally wouldnt see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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