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Careers With An Electrical NVQ

Change Careers Now To Become a Working Electrician

Electricity is one of life's essentials in the modern world. In Britain and around the world we rely heavily on the expertise of electrical contractors. Work for some is predominantly concerned with installations - others with safety testing or fault-finding and maintenance. The electrical market as a whole now accounts for 3 percent of Britain's Gross National Product. If it's time for you to make some career changes, training to become an electrician could be a very good move.

Will I Be Able To Do It?

Am I the right sort of person for this work? As electricians use tools and are very hands-on most of the time, you must be able to work well practically. 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. Your balance should be good, along with your colour vision and general fitness level. But most important of all, if you want to work for yourself you'll need to be resolute and persistent.

Free In-Depth Information Pack

Once you've passed the correct industry exams, you can be on your way to a great new career. Yet many people find it hard to know who is best to train with, and which courses to take. That's why we've compiled an impartial report to help you understand. We make no charge whatsoever for this essential guide, and you can download it in seconds.

You'll find it answers all the questions you might have about getting into the industry (and probably a few more too!) Take a look at it now to fill in any gaps you may have. Then re-visit this site to find links to various trainers and colleges who might have what you need. (You can Bookmark this page by typing in 'Ctrl D' for easy reference.)

Control Your Own Future

Many career-changers consider electrical work so they can set themselves up in business. In fact the majority of those who have re-trained either become contract workers or self-employed. And there appears to be an on-going healthy demand for electrical contractors in private housing, so it can work very well. Some people train so they can do electrical work part-time to generate additional income. Still others train in order to save paying trades people to do their electrical work.

When householders find an electrician they're pleased with, they'll talk to other people about them and do a lot of free advertising. Be sure that you're pleasant and courteous whenever you're in someone else's home - apart from being the right thing to do, it could bring in a lot more work!

Commercially employed electricians will usually work a 37 - 40 hour week, with possible overtime at the weekends. Despite regional variations, the average employee electrician in Britain in 2009 earned approx 26K. Electricians who work for themselves and take on a variety of domestic jobs can bring in significantly more than that, although their hours are usually longer. Of course, anyone running their own business has to cover their costs as well, though these shouldn't be too extensive.

What's The Right Course For Me?

City & Guilds and EAL are the Trade Certification organisations to be aware of. National Vocational Qualifications can also be undertaken by proving commercial competency in industry. This requires a 3 or 4 year commitment. Career-changers typically go for more condensed courses that will fit around their existing commitments. They usually target their skills for domestic work, which means NVQs are not needed. Career-changers want the best value for their money, and greater flexibility. 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

Domestic electrical installation training will generally lead to an EAL qualification. Teaching will comprise of all the wiring fundamentals and safety practices. 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.

Electrical installers also need to pass the City & Guilds Certificate 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations, so you can expect preparation for that. Other short C&G courses will give you more opportunities. If you include the Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations you can register with NICEIC and inspect, test and certify industrial and commercial installations as well as domestic ones.

Allow up to about five hundred hours all in to complete your training, which will be a combination of practical workshops and home study. Training will give you confidence and ultimately success - as you'll never be stuck for work with such in-demand skills.