A Rewarding New Career With Electrical Training

Electricity is one of life's essentials in the modern world. We constantly need skilled electricians for both domestic housing and industry. Typically electricians work from technical plans when putting in electrical installations. They also maintain appliances and fix faulty equipment.

The industry is now one of the biggest in the UK, with 20 billion pounds of work carried out annually according to the Summit Skills report for 2009. If it's time for you to make some career changes, training to become an electrician could be a very good move.

What's The Work Like?

You might wonder whether electrical work will suit you. Electrical work involves using a number of different tools - dexterity and hand to eye co-ordination are vital. Systematic attention to detail is necessary in order to comply with safety guidelines. Many electricians work on their own for a large amount of the time, so you must be quite independent. You'll also need a good head for heights, as work isn't always at ground level! And ultimately, anyone looking to start their own business must be focused and motivated.

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You might already have a little experience, or you might be starting from scratch - either way the right training and qualifications are vital. Knowing which courses to take can be quite confusing, so we've put together a step by step document that explains everything. We make no charge whatsoever for this essential guide, and you can download it in seconds.

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. Take a look at it now to fill in any gaps you may have. And when you feel ready, come back here and go onto some of the college sites listed at the side.

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Be Your Own Boss

A lot of people choose to train for an electrical career so that they can set up in business for themselves. Without doubt this is proving to be the way forward for many. With continued high demand (especially in the domestic market) this makes a lot of sense. Sometimes people with other trade skills want electrical expertise, to give their business more credibility. Others want the skills and legal qualifications to do more of their own DIY.

When householders find an electrician they're pleased with, they'll talk to other people about them and do a lot of free advertising. Your training will get you up to speed technically, but you'll also need good people skills when dealing with the public.

Some electricians employed by big companies work shifts, but most work a regular eight hour day during the week. Salaries generally come in around the 26,000 mark, though it's higher than that in some areas.

Domestic electrical contractors in their own business are wise not to stick too rigidly to a 9-5 routine, as they can bring in a great deal more money if they're flexible. They will need to take their overheads into account as well though.

How Do I Begin?

The professional industry bodies offering the most regarded certifications are EAL and C&G. 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.

So older career changers tend to go for less lengthy courses that they can fit in around their current work. They usually target their skills for domestic work, which means NVQs are not needed.

Specialised colleges focus on teaching skills that will help students learn what they need in months, not years. This still allows students to meet the legal trade requirements, just in a narrower field over a shorter period of time.

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. Teaching will comprise of all the wiring fundamentals and safety practices. You'll be prepared for the EU Building Regulations qualification known as Part P.

Similarly, you'll have training for the City & Guilds 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations Certificate (2382), another legal necessity. Once you've trained sufficiently and become qualified in these areas you can both carry out and self-certify all your domestic work.

Obviously the speed you can get through a course depends on your existing commitments, but allow about four to five hundred hours for training in total. Training will give you confidence and ultimately success - as you'll never be stuck for work with such in-demand skills.