Advice on becoming an electrician

[mark3092]

Hi people! I have been interested in becoming an electrician for many years but always feared I had missed the boat as far as apprenticeships go as I am now 29 (and now rely on my income). I have been looking at the 2382 and the part P courses. I have a good idea of the layout of a domestic installation but that's about all. I looked at a 3 week course that covered both for £1800 but I was concerned as 3 weeks seemed to short.

I have started the home study 2382 Electacourse which I am finding is not to difficult but could anyone help me with the following?

Looking things up in the 7671 is not my concern but do I need to know all the various formulas and how to calculate them in depth?

If I pass the 2382 and part P how do I stand as far as gaining employment with no practical experience? Is passing these courses enough or is the apprenticeship the only real way to enter the trade

Any help or advice would be much appreciated

Mark.

[mohsinkhalid]

Hey Mark

For the younger student, the most common route to becoming an electrician is through an apprenticeship in electrical installation with the average age of an apprentice being between 17-19 years old although some are available to more mature applicants. so you have to find whether it wlll be for your age I am sure they do.Times are changing and with the immediate and growing demand for qualified electricians, it may not always be possible for an individual to pursue an apprenticeship

Many mature candidates and candidates from a variety of backgrounds are now training for a career in the electrical industry.

In these instances, these people may find it more practical to study electrical courses in their own time, to gain essential electrical qualifications such as the City and Guilds 2382 Certificate in the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS7671 or the City and Guilds 2391 Certificate in Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations. This is a highly flexible method of gaining a good basic grounding of electrical knowledge and allows an individual to study in their own time and in their own home to gain two qualifications that are now seen as essential for practicing electricians.