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Choosing The Correct Electrician Qualifications

Make The Change Now And Get Into Electrical Work

Electricity and the electrical industry play a vital role in all of our lives. Consequently good electrical workers are crucial to all of us. Essentially the work involves installing, maintaining and testing electrical systems, equipment and appliances under strict safety regulations. A report compiled by the Summit Skills showed that in 2009 there were a total of 613,000 people employed in the electrical industry in the United Kingdom. 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? If you're a practical, reasoning sort of person and are good with your hands you'll be off to a fine start. Those who can work methodically through a process do well as electricians.

Your training will give you the technical knowledge, but you must have the capacity to solve problems as you go. Obviously if you're colour-blind, this work isn't going to be right for you. And in the end, if being your own boss is your goal, you should be determined and positive!

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Whether you've already got some relevant skills or not, once you've trained and got yourself certified, you can start making money.

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.

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With so many training companies offering electrical courses in Britain, you'll find our information really useful to help compare the benefits of each one. It makes sense to go through that first before you do anything else. And then when you've got the hang of what you need, come back to this site and look at what some of the training companies featured here are offering. (You can Bookmark this page by typing in 'Ctrl D' for easy reference.)

Control Your Own Future

A lot of people choose to train for an electrical career so that they can set up in business for themselves. In fact the majority of those who have re-trained either become contract workers or self-employed. It's not surprising when you look at the amount of work in the domestic market in particular. Of course, some just want the qualifications so they can earn a second income part-time. And the last group of trainees are those who are into doing their own home installations and need to work within the law.

As you might expect, a good deal of your domestic work can come from client recommendations. You'll be taught all your technical skills on the course, but also remember to have good personal skills as well.

Thirty seven to forty hours a week is normal for most commercially employed full-time electricians. Salaries generally come in around the 26,000 mark, though it's higher than that in some areas. In contrast, domestic electrical contractors working for themselves should earn a good deal more, but they'll also have to put in more flexible hours. Of course, anyone running their own business has to cover their costs as well, though these shouldn't be too extensive.

Which Training Will Suit Me Best?

City & Guilds and EAL are the Trade Certification organisations to be aware of. 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. Career-changers typically go for more condensed courses that will fit around their existing commitments. They don't need lengthy NVQ training because they're looking to work in private houses.

Private electrical training companies can get students through their courses and on their way in a matter of months. Overall students are less qualified, but they will have a good grounding in the skills needed for domestic work, and their certifications will be legally acceptable.

Training For A Domestic Electrical Installer

Study programmes vary, but a comprehensive domestic course should equip you to pass your Level 2 EAL Domestic Installers exam. You'll be taught a basic understanding of electrical wiring in the home and standard safety procedures. As certain qualifications are now a legal requirement, you'll be coached in the essentials to pass Part P - the title now given to relatively new regulations for domestic electrical work.

A second essential qualification from C&G is the 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations. You could also be taught and assessed to carry out various other tasks that together will allow you to complete and self-certify domestic electrical work.

The whole process will probably involve around 300 -500 hours of training, which will be part home study and part in-centre training. Qualified electricians are needed all over the country. The opportunities are there - now it's up to you.