Do you want to RETRAIN as an ELECTRICIAN? - REAL LIFE STORY - NICEIC Domestic installer
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- čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
- David Roche left his job in his 30's to retrain as an electrician. Learn about the decisions he made, why we chose a college over a fast track course.
Gary Hayers explores the journey from college to a registered NICEIC Domestic installer (now know as a dwelling installer)
Essential viewing for anyone looking to change careers, book a college course and work in the electrical industry.
🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕕
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00:00 Retraining as an electrician - David Roche
01:30 Why did you want a career change?
02:50 Why choose the electrical trade?
03:45 Choosing a college - vs - fast track courses
04:20 Level 2 - evening class
06:10 Level 3 - EAL Installing testing and ensuring compliance of electrical installations.
07:50 Building up a portfolio of work
11:00 The portfolio is difficult - would you work for FREE?
12:05 Beyond the textbook
14:10 Starting to work in the electrical industry
15:40 Investing in equipment to get started
17:50 NICEIC Assessment
21:00 The course is just the start of the journey.
22:15 Continuing training EV and smart home tech
25:20 David's advice if you want to retrain
============================
Further viewing
Are you QUALIFIED as an ELECTRICIAN? - Gary shares his advice with an adult re-trainer. • Are you QUALIFIED as a...
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❌ This content on this channel is for electrical professionals.❌ ==================================
📹 Presented by
Gary Hayers - Editor eFIXX
David Roche - Electrician
=================================== - Věda a technologie
Real life interview that will inspire others “remember hard work has it’s rewards” great work David 🦾💕🦾
Great video Gaz, and good to see and hear David has done well.
He was a really nice bloke when we was all learning together.
💕🦾💕
The opportunities for older learners in this country are an absolute disgrace.
No you should have started earlier or start as an adult apprentice . We need to protect the trade . Not lower standards . Should be apprentices or electricians .
Apprenticeships are not this gold standard everyone thinks they are. They are almost impossible to fail with the smallest of effort.@@danyates6598
retrained through 3 years at college at the age of43, with a mortgage and 3 teen age kids, yes it took commitment and a lot of spare time, Ive alwaystriedto keep up to date with qualfication and completed other courses whilst working my main job. working weekends etc, now working for myself. and loving it.
Have learnt so much through GSH Electrical and Gary. just explains things so well.
If you want to change do it, but be committed, its always easy to come home look at what you need to get done for the course and think ill do it tomorrow, but don't
Well done dave and a good efix video my root was something the same many years ago went self employed as soon as I finished prior to part P staring then applied to the Niceic for part P installer in 2004 as that is what I was already doing prior to the introduction of part P thumbs up mate keep going forward and always be keen to learn nowlage is welth top video but it's a fact you only get out what you put in dedication
I love it been running my own electrical firm for 3 years now and it is the most satisfying thing being your own boss. To be honest there are many elements to learn aside from the work side of things such as learning how to run a business and being on top of your paper work etc.. I tell anyone who wants to run there own business, to make it your business to get as much testing experience as you can even getting your own MFT and testing you own house will set you apart.
Currently in the process of doing domestic installers course and have the opportunity to work alongside a qualified and timeserved electrician, there seems to be alot of other electricians who are very negative to those whose choose this route. Its difficult for adult learners to get an apprenticeship or a company that's prepaired to hire someone without the timeserved.
Brilliant video thanks Gary and Dave. I am thinking of taking the leap and doing a level 2 and level 3 night school course. This was very helpful 👍
Relate to so much of this. I started my retraining at the age of 32. A 3 year apprenticeship with a mortgage and a family was difficult but worth it. 6 years down the line many doors have opened for me
@Michael Quinn yeh exactly that. Did most my study work in the evenings, gave up holidays and weekends to work for free. Its been worth it 👌
Thank you so much for posting this video , it's answered so many questions . I dropped a lot of money on my level 2 (I start my course tomorrow). When I messaged other CZcamsrs they only put doubt in my mind saying EAL only churn out over night Sparky's, yet it was the same time frame as the C&G course (around a year for level 2)and the qualifications are the same .anyway I appreciate the time and effort you put in your videos , love the content .
Thanks and all the best with your course 👍
Take no notice mate, it's the exact same qualification.
Well done best of luck to you
Nice one Gary another great video as always.
Thanks
This was extremely useful. Thanks for taking the time to produce this.
I've been thinking about going down this route for a while now - mainly for DIY projects to start with (yeah, I know, another one of those). I'm an engineer by trade and aware how much committment it takes to complete a qualification while working full-time (completed a top-up BEng degree at 30 a few years ago). Have some electronic/electrical qualifications back from the apprenticeship days, so hopefully a small portion of that will be of use.
Thanks for your insight 🦾
Qualifications are fine ,they show commitment, but you only start really learning when it's just you with no body to turn to.
👍
That's the reason the vocational education system here in Germany is the better one. It's a dual education, you're a student at a vocational school, but at the same time you're also an apprentice and employee of a business. So you learn the theory in school and the practical application at the same time. You have to pass two examinations, one in the middle of the time and one at the end. The examination is either performed by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce or in alternative the Chamber of Crafts, depending on if you're working for a small business or a big company. The auditor must not be from the same company the apprentice works for. The examination contains at least two parts, a written examination and practical examination. If they're between two marks, or on the edge to fail, they can also get an additional oral examination. You must at least have 50% or you'll fail the final examination. You can fail it two times, on the third fail you're blocked from this vocational education and you'll have to pick a different one.
Most of these educations are between 3 and 3.5 years. One of the lowest rate of unemployed youths in the EU is proving us right.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_education_system
There's also the possibility to bypass this, if you worked at least five years as an employee in a company doing this job, you can take the final examination directly. But this means hard work and learning to pass it.
After this you can't directly go self-employed as an electrician. You'll have to go to Master school afterwards, it builds on the electricians training. It's doing some recap, but it's mostly about management of a business, training of new apprentices and such stuff. It takes two years in full time or four years in the evening school.
@@Marcel_Germann That's how it works in the UK too. If you do a proper apprenticeship you work on the job 4 days a week and 1 day a week at college for 3/4 years.
Hi Gary thanks for sharing your video with me and I would love to see a lot more of your videos I am a qualified electrician for 30 years and I am working with council and I am planning to do my apprenticeship again
why do you need to do an apprenticeship if you are qualified?
Its not just the electrical knowledge or having the tools, its the experience of how to do your accounts, how to book work in, how to talk to customers, etc. Plenty of time is spent writing out quotes and invoices. Its hard and you can never really leave this job at 5pm. But, im now in a position where im making good money and getting quicker at all the admin side. If you want an easy life, this aint the job, but it is satisfying.
👍
Brilliant video Gaz!! Great to see a success story from the college and give me even more inspiration on my journey with Dean at Doctor Electric :)
Thanks Adam 🦾
Thanks for the support 🦾
@@GSHElectrical my pleasure mate 👍🏻
Thanks Gaz from me here in the USA for showing some love to Doctor Electric and Adam. It’s so vital to keep encouraging those who are committed it’s gonna raise standards and quality of work out there and raise the professionalism and respect for electricians.
@@mathman0101 thank you for your kind words
I retrained two years ago after 20 years as a mechanic(largely electrical fault finding side)
Even having my own garage for 10
Years,unfortunately lease cars pcp and free servicing plus high rents drove me out,this is the best decision ive ever made and i found it quite straightforward,id imagine anyone with no hands on or electrical background may find some of the exams and testing a little tougher.
I have a brand new van/website and work for myself,but again i already had 10 years self employed so i found the admin side easy as i use the same accountant and office.
Ive done my apprenticeship(on cars) and worked hard to become a master technician so i was gutted i had to change careers,
On the plus side tools are cheaper now,overheads are nothing and I actually make money.
I have a similar background to you, minus the owning my own garage, I'm doing lvl 2 c&g and have done 18th, are you now fully qualified? did you do nvq? I found myself doing jobs for family and buying all the specialised tools 2 months into level 2, just want to get on with house bashing while learning more about the commercial / industrial side.
Cheers Gaz and Dave 😁Top vid!
Thanks
Fantastic👍
THIS video is really helpful! I've always wanted to consider this, but worried that the industry is geared much towards apprenticeship as The 'only route to success' however, THIS video inspires confidence that its genuinely possible
Thanks for commenting and all the best. 👍
I started at 29 been in the game for 13 years no apprenticeship just working with the right firms and getting a wealth of experience.
I wanted to retrain as an electrician but wasn't sure if work on the road would suit me as I haven't even had any DIY experience. My workplace offered a gas course, completed it (L3 fully qualified) and enjoyed working with tools etc. Now I have some flexibility to retrain as an electrician.. I am 42 and while it seems like an absolute ball-ache to get to being fully qualified as an electrician, it is doable. Done L2 and 18th ed, now on L3. Called electricians near me if someone can offer some on the road experience/shadowing but no luck yet, luckily I am not in a rush. I have done some smart metering (pays more than being a gas engineer or an electrician) to learn a little about working with electrics (very limited). Good video, very educational. Shame there isn't an easier way for adult learners to get into this trade.
Thanks David, for sharing your inspirational journey. You represent the very few who have
a) put in the effort, the extra hours, and unpaid work experience. But there’s another factor ..
b) .. and that’s having had the good fortune to attend Tresham.
To anyone thinking of taking this journey (I’ve been at it 3 years) .. when it comes to knowledge acquisition, I’ve learnt far more from Gaz, Joe Robinson, John Ward and David Savery .. than any college lecturer. Just sayin’ ... it’s tough, and it’s expensive.
Brilliant video,nice one gaz and dave 👍👍 is it possible to build your portfolio by doing work for yourself at say your own home or do you still need to work with a registered electrician for sign of notifiable works etc
And also my college are offering CGlvl 2 and then lvl 3 but what other qualifications/ courses/ tests are needed to register as a domestic installer with napit/nic/stroma etc
Gary thank you for this video, Dave well done. I find it very difficult here in midwales. I have offered working for free to get some proper hands on exsperiance and guess what not one taker. Yes I would work for free even prepared to give 2 days a week. I got know where.
any luck in the last few months mate? im in south wales, wondering how things might pan out when im at that stage.
after 31 years as a electronics engineer in broadcast, wish I had retrained 9 years ago in Electrical or Mechanical as that's all I seem to see in the jobs market.
Thanks... Extremely inspiring as I'm currently in the same position starting of in this trade @48 years old. Wish I started earlier and had a tutor like Gary.
Need to clone Gary for all sparky colleges 😂 😂.
Thanks for the lovely comment - hard work has its rewards 🦾.
hey im 38 and thinking of starting college next year to retrain in this field. How are you getting work experience? this is the part that worries me.
@@pureheroin9902How you getting on mate? Did you start the course?
I'm 5 months into my career change as an electrician after 25 years selling cars, wish I did it earlier.
🦾
Doing an honest days graft is most satisfying,
dont ya think Arthur 😎
I’m just about to make the change
Been a spark 25 years stick to selling cars rewiring house when people live in them.l is the absolute pits. It's the most dirty horrible job out there. You need to be in every corner of the house lift every carpet etc. It's the worst paid trade of all them now. Brick laylers and joiners are by far the best paid trades. Been a spark these days is I'd get out tomorrow if I could
@@robbryden4982 you either dont charge enough or arent self employed with no boss
This is amazing. I am currently looking at doing this as a 33f. My biggest concern is can I do this while working full time? How do I fit in college full time work and some experience days?
Do previous night school certificates ie 2365, 2394, 2395, 2382 (17th Ed), get acknowledged from the apprenticeship schemes.?
So maybe I could complete and move on quicker, maybe save the employer money as I acquire my portfolio and just have to do the 18th Ed and the practical AM2E exam ?
Could you advise what my approach should be now as I’m beginning to feel that doing all that was a bit of a waste.
A mate of mine who has been an electrician for 26 years is having to "retrain" to get the stupid ECS card. Simply because he doesn't have a level 3 NVQ (Not Very Qualified) bit of paper. What he has is years of experience in industry, off shore, abroad, domestic, that knocks socks of college n00bs and he has a trusted client base. I'd rather use him than some so called level 3 person I don't know.
Well presented video Gaz. Do you know any college’s in Northern Ireland that offer this path into the industry?
Thanks for the great comment 👍
My plan is to do a domestic installers course before starting my diploma level 2 at Eastleigh college this September. Anybody just staring out?
I finished my level 2 in electrical installations around 1997-98 and had a tough time finding a job.
Prior to looking for work, I just started my level three in theory but i dropped out as I was going through very challenging times in my personal life.
I've always enjoyed this field and miss it. What will it take for me to get into this trade?
Will i need to start from scratch again or can I start from level three?
I understand a lot has changed since. Your answer would help me greatly @ team efixx
By the way, I ended up becoming a civil servant. Needs necessitated going down this path.
Cool video. I'm currently doing the city & guilds level 2 after wanting a change of work. It's weird because so many people have different opinions about becoming a electrician. I'm not sure if doing the level 3 straight after the level 2 is the best move. I was thinking of working as a electrical mate for a while and then do the level 3 in the evenings or weekends...if anyone can recommend anything that would be great 👍
I'm currently at square one on retaining as I'm looking into courses.
How did it go? Did you get yourself an electricians mate job?
What are you doing now?
I have completed EAL level 2, C&G level 3, 17 edition and EAL level 3 inspection and testion. I am struggling to start working. Can anyone tell me, How can I find work for experience. I asked some Electricians to take me but no one is willing to take me. Please help me to find the place for experience or for portfolio. I am base in Luton. I will be thankful.
Question for dave when he bought his van, did he lease, finance or purchase fully his van ? Great video chaps 👍
Thanks Edd 👍
Great video Gaz & David.👍🏼 My question is if I did a full time course through college over the 3 years & I couldn't find an apprenticeship, would I be fully qualified at the end of the course alone?
No you would still need to do the portfolio and AM2 to achieve your NVQ, which requires evidence of on-site experience
@@jonahbaker5665 Thanks for clearing that up. Apprenticeship it is then.🤔
@@SultansKitchen1 best way to go 👍🏻
@@jonahbaker5665 I agree.🙂
There's no such thing as 'fully qualified'. There is no authority in this country specifying what qualifications you need to be considered 'an electrician'. In fact, you can legally practice without any.
The AM2 and NVQ3 is required for JIB Gold Card status but they're just a body like NICEIC, they're not the authority. Difference is, without that card you probably won't get on a site as mostly all companies doing site work require it.
Hi David, listening to your career changing journey is like a scattered mirror image of mine. Having completed the C&G 2365 levels 2 and 3 (onsite assessments weren't part of the course), 18th edition and EV course, I have tried to gain voluntary work experience through numerous avenues to no avail. As you mention, learning in college is completely different to the 'real world' and I don't have the confidence or arrogance to believe I know it all and go it alone. People just don't seem to want free labour 😔
Who did you find your voluntary work with - independent electricians or building sites?
Thanks for commenting - David worked with a local electrician during this training.
At some point you're just going to have to give it a shot mate. How hard can it be? So many who don't know what they're doing blag it. Just be a blagger but with the skills to back yourself up. One life mate, give it a go.
How are you getting on now mate?
How old was he when he started studying electrical courses Gaz?
I retrained as a plumber to pay for my degree in Electrical Engineering.
😂
So NVQ level 2 and 3 only make you an "electrical domestic installer" so whats the next steps to becone a quakified "electrician"
Experience and completing an AM2S assessment
@@efixx thank you for your reply, my college course is NVQ level 2 followed by a 2 year NVq level 3 (part of this course is completion of the AMS2) so I'm guessing it's a good route to take, plus I will be starting work with an electrician as my college course starts (september) so will have 3 years experience come the of my level 3.
6 week sparks. More of a liability than a help to the trade
What makes you think your gonna succeed as an electrician when you gave your last job
Apprenticeship! Nothing beats apprenticeship for craft/skills training. Well that’s my opinion. The rest is commercialism.
What about the money 💰 these courses costs thousands?!!
How much is a city & guild course to become a electrician ...
I think mine was about £3k for level 3 but that was a few years ago, think its more like £2.5k for the level 2 and then £2.5k for the level 3. To finish the portfolio I had to use my house for some of the stuff so spent another fortune on tools and materials.
@@steve11211 thanks . Can't I just take the C&G 2365 and become a qualified electrician ? 🤔😆
@@stevendouglas3860 I did EAL so not sure but think you need to do the 2365 lvl 2 then 2365 lvl 3... Once you have passed those you need to do your NVQ which is a portfolio (Not easy to complete), you then also need to do the AM2 exam (2.5 day practical exam with low pass rate). I did a level 3 course but it was a longer level 3 and basically encompassed the level 2 and level 3 courses into one so basically did the same thing. (Not sure if they still do this course)
You then need the latest regs qualification (This is open book, not too difficult but you need to know how to navigate the BS7671 big blue book).
Your then technically your fully qualified however to do things like EICR's you should also do test and inspect course like 2391 (Quite a technical course and lots fail on the 3hr practical).
OR .....
You become a domestic installer which is not a fully qualified electrician, probably ok if your going to work for yourself but you wont really be taken seriously, domestic installers are really designed for kitchen fitters etc so they can do electrical work as a side...
Won't be taken seriously PMSL. So when Artisan, Bundy, John Ward & co turn up at peoples houses to give them a quote the client turns round and say sorry lads can't take you seriously.
@@JIBS. ok
So you work in a house, not qualified not registered but because you do it for free thats ok?
Just having a test certificate and regs course doesnt make you an electrician but an installer... Same as a lathe turner or miller doesnt make you an engineer.
Well said !
How about law? Seems easy career can do onlin
Don't do it!! Retrain as a professional footballer, brain surgeon or barrister. Much more money and the training is far easier.
🤣
I have a letter from the HSE which basically say BS7671 can be ignored as long as it look nice. which mean new electricians don't really need to do that much study
I can't stand this term "domestic installers" it just gives credibility to these people/companies running or enrolling on these 6 week courses, something unfortunately not helped by the insistence of some who claim that only those who had been on an apprenticeship can claim to be an electrician.
You people know who you are
Don’t worry the term “domestic installer” is going to be replaced with “dwelling installer” 🤦🏻♂️👍
Dont do it. Most of the perks have gone and subjected to more bullsh#t than any other trade. The likes of JIB, and governing bodies are always looking to scare you into paying stealth taxes
No disrespect to people trying to better themselves by doing these shorter courses than a recognised apprenticeship, but you are destroying the electrical industry. The wages will continue to drop and the standard of work will drop. I understand people have to put food in the table, but it’s all wrong. The trade is constantly being deskilled now. Needs to change
I have completed EAL level 2, C&G level 3, 17 edition and EAL level 3 inspection and testion. I am struggling to start working. Can anyone tell me, How can I find work for experience. I asked some Electricians to take me but no one is willing to take me. Please help me to find the place for experience or for portfolio. I am base in Luton. I will be thankful.
Union wouldn’t accept these people on sites . Would crumble