Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum as I'm currently looking into training to be an electrician. Long story short I'm being made redundant and need to move into a new career, and as the electrical trade seems to be crying out for people, I figured it would be a good calling.

I also have work experience in performing electrical jobs [fitting lights, plug sockets / switches etc] as building maintenance was involved in the job I'm leaving, however I have no qualifications to professionally do any of these jobs.

I've looked for quite a while over the internet to find training on how to pursue a career as an electrician, but I'm more confused now than before I started. There are so many different qualifications available that I don't know which are more creditable or sought after from employers. There's also the dilemma of how to go about this training at my age [29]. The only thing that seems to be available is private education from organisations offering packages or condensed course. The prices they offer to vary quite a bit too!

Basically what I need to find out from someone, who isn't trying to sell me a course from one of these companies, is what qualifications are the best and necessary to get work in the electrical industry, and if anyone has tried and tested a private training scheme which lets you study at your own pace or possibly fast track?

Any advice would be great as I'm at a cross roads with a blind fold on!

Thank you so much,
Lee