Jeevan Dulai – Our First NVQ Student

Earlier this year, Jeevan (pictured) became one of our first NVQ Students to complete our 4 Steps Electrician Training Programme

The post Case Study – Jeevan Dulai appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

What did you do before training to be an electrician?

Before re-training I spent 20 years+ in catering and retail, including 5 years as a chef, ending with 2 years in facilities management. During this time I had a few attempts to reinvent myself. I spent 2 years working for a bank, but found office work is not for me. I also qualified as a Hypnotherapist while also working for the Tribunal Service as a court clerk at Mental Health section cases. I found both these areas very interesting, but difficult to build to a career.

What was your reason for training?

I sustained a relatively successful career in the same industry for many years, but I had a lot of different positions with a variety of companies. Often I found it very difficult to settle in to the culture of a business and struggled with the social to understand the ‘politics’ involved.

Tell us about why you choose to become an electrician?

About 2 years ago I was in the process of setting up a handyman business and was offered the opportunity to work for a local builders. This gave me a greater understanding of the various trades along with practical experience. As one of the owners was an electrician I was able to get involved with a variety of electrical installations as well. I found that as my understanding increased it was an enjoyable job and also the most sustainable for someone starting a trade in their mid 40’s.

Why did you decide to take the Domestic Electrician & EV course?

I chose the Domestic Electrician and EV Charging Package as it gave me all of the practical and theoretical knowledge I needed to carry out basic domestic electrical work while giving me a focused skill to offer customers with EV charging installations.

What other courses are you hoping to attend at Trade Skills 4U and why?

There was a lot of discussion, while on the course, about the future of EV charging, with some suggesting that solar charging of Tesla batteries could be the future. I will look into the Solar PV course as well as the Commercial EV.

What was your overall experience with TS4U?

I found that the staff were absolutely first rate. I have quite specific requirements due Aspergers, but I was able to openly discuss this with the staff at the centre who freely made the adjustments I require to enable me to attend the course successfully.

What did you enjoy most about the course?

Learning something new and finding out my brain still works.

What did you find most challenging about the course?

The 18th edition section was particularly challenging. It was a lot of information to take in in a short space of time. However, even though the course was tough the tutors helped explain things and supported me in this part of the course?

Did you manage to get any on-site experience whilst studying – if so what?

I had previous on-site experience which I found invaluable for the practical aspects of the course.

Have you found employment since training with TS4U?

I am not looking to be employed and hope to expand my own business to include electrical work. For example I am currently working on a landscaping project for a customer and I am now able to offer garden lights, outside sockets etc. as part of the project which will increase my turnover.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of training to become an electrician?

It seems like a great area to get into. Environmentalists believe that electric is the future. Not only with electric vehicles, but with a focus to remove gas boilers only means electric replacements. I think that gaining some practical on-site experience as well as having an experienced electrician contact, would be very beneficial.

What are your plans for the future?

I hope to grow my business to a point where I can take on some staff and build a good reputation.

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Why did you choose to train as an electrician?

I chose to train as an electrician for a number of reasons. I have worked in and out of various trades most of my working life. I usually worked as a mate or laborer, never as a skilled trades person. A jack of all trades, a master of none, so to speak. I recently became a farther and wanted to be able to provide a good life for my son and quickly realized that was going to be difficult as an unskilled trades person, because of the pay cap. I decided to get qualified and the trade I enjoyed and had the most experience in was as an electrician’s laborer. There is also a huge shortage of electricians in the UK and abroad.

What did you do before training to be an electrician?

Before training to be an electrician I worked in various jobs, there is not much I haven’t done. I served in the Army, Merchant Navy, most trades, telesales, in factories and the list goes on.

Why did you decide to take the C&G 2365 course and how has this helped you?

The reason I decided to do the C&G 2365 course was. I was struggling to break into the industry. I applied for numerous apprenticeships with the likes of, British Aerospace and United Utilities. Even though I passed all tests and going to final interviews, I never got the apprenticeship offer. I got some off the record feedback and it was because of my age. I was against fresh school leavers with all there certificates but no experience and I was the opposite. After getting nowhere with the on the job apprenticeship route with a company I decided to get my qualifications myself and look at the options. After lots of research I found the only real option I had was to go get the knowledge and experience I needed through a training provider. I came across TS4U and the C&G 2365 level 2 and 3 courses. This course was just what I was looking for. I gained enough knowledge and experience that I became desirable to employers, receiving multiple job offers within the industry and to further my qualifications within the job roles. It also gave me the option to start my own business as a registered electrician.

What was your training experience like with Trade Skills 4U?

My training experience with TS4U was great and far exceeded my expectations. I can’t recommend them enough as a training provider. The teachers were amazing and really went out their way to help me with anything I was struggling with and had so much theory and practical knowledge between them. The training centre was state-of-the-art and everything was provided that was needed. The receptionists were especially helpful. My experience was nothing but a positive one from start to end. By the time I had finished my course I had enough knowledge and practical experience to either start out on my own doing domestic work or having the confidence to apply for an electrician’s mate and continuing studying for further qualifications, which is the route I took.

Are you planning on taking any other electrical courses?

Since completing my C&G 2365 with TS4U, I got a fulltime time employment as a stage 3 trainee (electricians’ mate) and went on to do my NVQ Level 3 and AM2 test. I am now booked on and waiting to do my C&G 2391-52 Inspection and Testing with Trade Skills 4U. This will then allow me to, carry out and sign off various testing and certificates for my employer and give me approved status on my JIB gold card.

What did you enjoy about the course?

I enjoyed every aspect of my course. More the practical than the theory side of the course. I enjoyed completing full installs and powering them up, learning to bend steel conduit, install and connect up circuits to distribution boards. What stood out the most for me was the testing side of the course, so much so I am pursuing an inspection and testing career more than installation work.

What did you find most challenging about the course?

What I found most challenging about the course was transposition of formula. However, the teachers took the time to help me 1 on 1 until I understood. It’s an intense course and there is a lot to learn but TS4U have the perfect structure of learning in place to get you from start to finish with little or no previous knowledge or experience.

Did you have any on site experience whilst studying?

While in training I did manage to find a job with a local firm doing mainly domestic work. I started a few weeks into Level 2 and worked on my 2-week breaks in between studying, this allowed me to put into further practice what I was learning on the C&G 2365 with TS4U. I worked for a small 1-man company mainly doing domestic houses and commercial flat rewires. Including testing and inspecting which was great to put into practice what I had learned so far at TS4U out in the real world.

Have you found employment since training with TS4U?

Since finishing my course I have gained full time employment for a company with big contracts with the likes of, Premier Inn, Beefeater and Footlocker. It was thanks to the knowledge, practical skills and qualifications I gained through TS4U which made it fairly easy to get a job within the industry and allow me to train further and gain more qualifications.

What advice would you give to someone looking at training to become an electrician?

The advice I would give someone looking to train as an electrician is – if you are like me and struggling to break into the industry with no previous knowledge or experience through employment-based training, then this is the best option. Start with the C&G 2365 or something similar through a training provider as this will give you more than enough knowledge and experience for you to become desirable to employers. After researching heavily and through my own experience Trade Skills 4U are the best in the country. So much so I continue to use them for all my courses even though there are other training providers a lot closer to where I live.

How would you describe the facilities and training at Trade Skills 4U?

The facilities are state-of-the-art and up to current industry standards. All tools and testing equipment is provided, along with endless course material covering every aspect of the course, mock exams to practice for tests and exceptional teachers and support, I honestly can’t recommend them enough.

Would you recommend TS4U as a training provider?

Highly and will always be my go-to for any courses I need to do in the future like the C&G 2391-52 I have just booked on to with them.

What are your plans for the future?

My plans for the future are to get my C&G 2391-52 so I can pursue a career in testing with my current employer. I’m also looking at the EV Charging course with TS4U and possibly further down the line look into my Level 4 and design.

Did you have help with funding your course?

The charities that have helped me are SSAFA, Civvy Street and the Royal British legion. A good place to look for any type of funding is a website called turn2us, it’s a benefits calculator but also has a tab for charity and funding. Fill the online application out and it will give you a list of every charity and organisation that you are eligible for help from and how to apply, it’s amazing. The JIB also have funding available for certain courses and further education, they paid 75% towards my NVQ/AM2. I was also assisted by the Llyod Trust that is available for people who are from Darwen who are struggling financially and need help with various situations in their life. City and Guilds have funding available for their courses, they are really good and info is on their website. Also there is an Electrical Industries Charity that will help struggling electricians. All the above is available regardless of serving in the military. As for military funding I would strongly advise that every service person read their service leavers pack, it has every type of help and funding in there available to all ex service personnel and is available even if you only served 1 day. There are a lot of charities for all different professions, army, chefs cleaners and so on and if you have worked in that sector for so long you can get funding to retrain in a different profession. It’s the best place to start for both ex-service and civvys if struggling to fund courses.

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Daniel contacted Trade Skills 4U via our Forgotten Heroes Bursary Scheme and after a discussion with our specialist Resettlement Co-ordinator decided that the C&G 2365 Level 2 & 3 course was the right choice for him. As part of this scheme we were able to offer Daniel some funding towards the Level 2 part of the course and as Trade Skills 4U are ELC registered (No. 3751), Daniel was able to use his enhanced learning credits towards the Level 3.

What did you do before training to become an electrician?

I worked in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy at RNAS Yeovilton, from 2003-2017 as an Aircraft Engineer Technician and then as a Mechanical Helicopter Engineering Supervisor on the Lynx Helicopter. Whilst there I completed four 200 day deployments, which included places such as the Far-East, Africa, South Atlantic, Caribbean and America to name a few.

I came primarily from a mechanical background, and although initially I was trained in how to assist in the electrical side of the helicopters, it was not something I have ever done.

Why did you decide to retrain as an electrician?

Having completed my time in the Royal Navy doing operations that included counter narcotics, disaster relief and life-saving winch duties, I was medically discharged and was employed as a helicopter engineer in Civvy Street. I didn’t feel there was any challenge in this, and neither was it as rewarding as what I had come from.

For this reason I wanted a challenge, to push myself outside my comfort zone, so I decided to work towards a career to become an electrician and hopefully feel like I am actually doing something to contribute to society again.

Why did you choose to take the C&G 2365 course?

After doing lots of research, both on the ELCAS website and in general as to what courses I should be taking, I was still confused by the sheer quantity on offer. I emailed a few companies but the replies I got back from Trade Skills 4U were the most informative in pointing me in the right direction for what I wanted to achieve.

What will this course enable you to achieve?

To eventually become a full Electrician, with the ability to cover the whole spectrum of work, including industrial, commercial, agricultural and domestic. This is something that, due to living in a rural area, I feel that I can’t just concentrate on one particular area.

Are you planning on taking any further courses?

Once I have settled into the industry a bit, I am hoping to take further courses to make me a more rounded electrician. These will include courses like the electric vehicle charging course, then later on inspection and testing.

How did you find your training with Trade Skills 4U

The training at Trade Skills 4U has been brilliant. The instructors were all very knowledgeable and happy to help with any issues that might have arisen. If something was a bit difficult to understand, (which considering I was solely mechanical before, was often), they could change their teaching style and explain a different way and also use real world examples to put things into context.

The physical training part was great as well. I personally thought that the first practical experience we would get would be something really basic, like wiring a plug, but it was wiring in a circuit board for a basic lighting circuit, all explained in detail. All the materials to be used like cable and conduit, was brand new so you had to think about what you were doing to ensure that everything was cut to the correct length, but when you did do it wrong, the instructor was there to help explain how to do it right.

Are you currently employed

During my training I volunteered with a local commercial electrician on some evenings to help prepare myself for the real world. But at the moment I am currently looking.

Would you recommend TS4U as a training provider?

Most definitely. Everything from the initial emails, to the classroom work, to the physical work has been handled in a friendly but also professionally manor.

What are your plans for the future?

To complete the NVQ and AM2 to become a fully qualified Electrician. In the not too distant future I hope to be self employed to enable me more freedom to juggle child care alongside running a successful business.

Do you have any advice for those wanting to train as an electrician?

Just bite the bullet and do it. I realised that I would never be able to recreate the same variety and enjoyment that I had in the military by chasing that job to different employers. I decided that the only way to get that would be to start afresh and being as though the only way is up with electrics, I realised that is where I needed to be.

We would like to thank Daniel for sharing his training experience with us and wish him the very best of luck for the future.

If you would like to find out more about the resettlement courses we offer, please click here. To find out more about the ELC scheme please visit www.enhancedlearningcredits.com.

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Following on from a case study we wrote in 2018, we caught up with Liam to find out how he’s been getting on. Liam originally worked in the street food catering business and made the decision to completely change career and train to become an electrician. We’re really pleased to learn that Liam is not only loving being an electrician but now runs a thriving electrical business.

After Liam completed his training with us he worked at a pharmaceutical plant installing electrical systems, plus he set-up a PAT test business, which he grew to include testing and inspection. Since then Liam has gone from strength to strength and now runs his own electrical company – Tann Electrical based in Preston.

Which courses did you initially take with Trade Skills 4U and why?

I initially took the C&G2365 Level 2 & 3 course and the C&G2391 Inspection & Testing course as these were the courses that would give me the complete education I needed to work as an electrician. Having no experience at all I needed something that would enable me to start working as soon as I had my certificates. The C&G2391 was added on as I wanted a deeper understanding of the trade.

What were your key goals when you initially trained with TS4U?

I knew that my weakest points would be my lack of practical knowledge and experience. I’d never been the most practical of people having sacrificed Technology at school in favour of Home Economics. Improving this side of things was definitely a key goal. My first day in the work bays was very nerve-wracking and my lack of experience was obvious compared to the experienced lads. I was helped by the tutors and the other lads, advice and tips were gratefully received. Over time I improved my skills and confidence, by the end of the course I was confident installing anything asked of me. I knew that my strength would lie in the classroom aspect of the course but had always struggled with maths. Again, the tutors helped bring me up to speed and I was soon dealing with calculations that I’d never have expected to understand.

My main goal was to leave with everything I would need to begin a career as an electrician. I believe that the courses I took were the best way to achieve this. Nevertheless, experience and practice are very important. I would recommend to anyone considering a similar route to find some type of employment to give you the opportunity to practice the skills learnt on the course as soon as possible. On my weeks off I worked with a local builder and (after working for free for a week) I was taken on and able to improve my skills outside of the classroom.

How did it make you feel when you passed your courses?

At the time all I felt was a mixture of relief and happiness. I’d built some good friendships through the course and it did feel strange that our group wouldn’t be together again. Once everything sank in, I realised just how much I had learned on the course. I still have photos of my work from the first day in the bays and they still bring a smile to my face.

What type of work did you secure after your training with TS4U?

My first job after qualifying was agency work. I was employed by a company to build control boxes for a pharmaceutical factory installation. This quickly developed into designing containment runs and calculating what cables would be required. When the install went live I was sent down to site in Wales for two weeks at a time to work on the install.

Over time I realised that working away wasn’t for me so I approached a friend who has been an electrician for 17 years about starting a domestic electrical business together. The time I spent working with someone more experienced than me has been invaluable. I now run the company on my own and pick up work through CheckaTrade, Facebook, Google and word of mouth.

Tann Electrical is NICEIC registered and completes all types of domestic electrical work. I am hoping to move into commercial work in the future but am concentrating of building the business at the moment.

Have you taken any other training or update courses?

I completed an EV charging course and will shortly be starting my Fire Alarm Commissioning qualifications. Studying at Tradeskills4U has helped me to rediscover my enjoyment of learning and I am always looking to expand my skill set. I am also currently part way through my NVQ which I hope to complete within a year.

What difference has the training made to your career?

It has been a complete change of direction. Moving me from the kitchen towards becoming a fully fledged sparky shows that it can be done and that the people at Tradeskills4U can help anyone through the course. From day 1, with everyone sitting quietly in the classroom and not knowing anyone, barely knowing which end of the screwdriver to use through to that last day, certificates in hand and genuinely feeling sad to be leaving the lads in the classroom, the tutors who helped me and the friendly faces on the front desk.

Tell us how training with TS4U has helped you?

Starting from scratch was difficult and I have had to work hard to build a customer base and get ‘word of mouth’ recommendations out there. I learned so much during my time at Tradeskills4U but I knew that this was only going to work if I used this to complement my real world experiences. I might not be the fastest worker out there but I know that the work I do is safe and done to the correct standard. ‘Test Test Test’ was drilled into us through the course for good reason. An appreciation of the dangers of poor work is one of the biggest take-aways from my time at Tradeskills4U.

What are your plans for your business?

Consistent business is my initial aim. It has taken a long time to grow and become financially viable. Once I have my NVQ I’ll be looking at the Design course to improve my knowledge further. I want to push the EV charging aspect of the business as well as offer a fire alarm commissioning service.

Tell us what you like about being an electrician / running your own business?

I’ve never liked having a boss (other than my wife!). Running my own business was always going to be my first option. As for being an electrician, the job is always interesting. Fault finding is great and one of my favourite parts of the job. I also do work for builders and bathroom renovators and enjoy seeing the finished projects knowing that I did the work and that it has been done well.

What has your experience been like working in the industry so far?

I have had to learn a lot, fast. Best practice on cable routing, working out how people’s houses have been wired, where problems are likely and when customers aren’t telling you the whole truth about what they have been trying to fix before calling you in are all things that I’ve had to learn on the job.

What advice would you give to someone looking to train as an electrician?

• Get booked on with Tradeskills4U and get your qualifications. I love my job and am so glad that I made the decision to study with them. You will gain so much knowledge but you will need to supplement it with real world experience. Find employment whilst you study and it will set you up for when you finish as well as helping you during the course.
• Use the tutors and all the staff, they know what they are talking about and will help you when you need it.
• Don’t point at electrics, you might misjudge the distance and it really hurts.
• Bring a packed lunch, I ate way too many pies during my time at Warrington Tradeskills4U!

How has your training with Trade Skills 4U helped you achieve your goals?

I have my own business and am happy in what I do. The results speak for themselves. Seriously though, my time at Tradeskills4U set me up well to start my new career. I learnt so much on the course and still echoes in my personal development now. I rediscovered enjoyment in learning at 38 and it is helping me to grown my business and my skill set.

As an alternative to a full apprenticeship I can’t recommend it highly enough.

And remember – Test, test, test.

We would like to thank Liam for sharing his experiences with us and we wish him and his business all the best for the future. You can read Liam’s original case study here.

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Josh, 24 who is close to completing his Level 3 2365 City & Guilds qualification, speaks to us about why he chose to become an electrician after leaving the army.

What did you do before training to become an electrician?

I was in the British Army working as a Royal Engineer. I entered the army at 16 years old so I was very young when I joined. After seven years I decided it was time for me to leave and look for new opportunities and gain some life experience elsewhere.

What is your reason for training?

I investigated a few different trades and decided the electrical field was a job that was always going to be needed whatever the weather or season. For example a bricklayer is very seasonal, I never want to be out of work due to external circumstances and I also want a career where people needed me and I didn’t need my employer.

Also, I already have some experience in the electrical trade so this definitely helped me to choose which route to go down. I have a few friends who are electricians and they really recommended it to me, they have trained from apprentice level so I have seen the hard work they put in and knew I could do the same.

Are you currently employed?

Yes, I am an electrical trainee. When I’m not doing my two weeks on the 2365 I am working with them around the North Wales area. The work is mainly in commercial settings so we are visiting schools, retail outlets and large buildings. We are currently working on a rewire at a train station so it’s a big job. I feel like working on site and coming here is so beneficial, I have taken so much knowledge and practical skills from site each week and then into the classroom and vice versa.

Was it easy to find employment?

I applied for the job onsite when I started my first week at Trade Skills 4U and feel they were keen to take me on because I had already taken the initiative to start my qualifications. So on my first two weeks off from the course I started with the company.

Tell us about your training experience with TS4U?

I have really enjoyed training here and would definitely come back to do additional qualifications. The teaching is really in-depth and the tutors are approachable and willing to help with any questions or worries you have.

What is the best and most difficult experience you’ve had?

I feel like the experiences the army have put me through have taught me to drive myself through any situation. It has definitely set me up for learning new challenges which is exactly what this was. It has been a different learning environment but I’ve enjoyed every part of it. I can’t say there’s anything that has proven very difficult.

What are your plans for the future?

I have already enrolled on the NVQ so I will start that near enough as soon as I have finished here. I will also start fulltime work with the company I’m with now when the 2365 is completed.

Do you have any advice for those wanting to train as an electrician?

Research the training providers and try gain some experience in the electrical industry before paying for a course. The electrical field can prove quite complicated for some people so make sure you have the right skillset for the job beforehand. It’s never too late to learn a new trade either, I’m glad I picked Trade Skills 4U as they have demonstrated their knowledge from the get go and the tutors couldn’t have been more helpful.

We wish Josh all the best with NVQ and starting fulltime employment.

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We caught up Milan to find out how he has been getting on since completing his training with us.

What did you do before training to be an electrician?

I used to work as caretaker at secondary school for nearly 4 years. As a school caretaker I was responsible for small repairs around the site which included gardening, painting, plumbing and the managing of lettings and dealing with contractors.

Why did you choose to train as an electrician?

I decided to change my career because I wanted to experience new challenges and I liked the many career paths available for electricians.

Which courses have you taken with Trade Skills 4U and why?

I have taken the City and Guilds 2365 Level 2 and Level 3 training course. The reason behind this was that I wanted to get into the electrical trade and because I became very friendly with one of the electrician who used to work for my school, and after helping him a few times, I started to look into the possibility to retrain as electrician. I did my research and Trade Skills 4U always came up as good choice to do my training with.

What was your training experience like with Trade Skills 4U?

I had a very good experience with Trade Skills 4U. I would like to especially mention our tutor Lilian who was the best tutor you can imagine. Her knowledge is on a high level and any questions we had in class were answered in detail. Overall I would highly recommend the Gatwick training centre.

Tell us about your current role?

I am currently working for a company, which funnily enough is based next to the Gatwick training Centre, called Trans Data Management which is Telecommunication service provider. My position is Electrical Engineer Improver and most of our work is based on train stations across England.

Some of the products we install are Help Point, customer information screens, CCTV. The job is very interesting because we do install a huge variety of technologies, so no day is the same.

Are you planning on taking any other electrical courses?

I will be taking the 18th edition exam in October and in the future I would like to do the Inspection and testing course as well.

What did you enjoy from the course?

I enjoyed the process of learning something completely different. At the beginning you have no clue about electrics, but as you learn it does start to make sense and by the end of the course you fully understand what you need to know as an electrician.

Did you managed to get any on site experience whilst studying? If so, what was it?

I did. I was really lucky to know two electricians, so asked them if I could work with them without pay, just so I could learn more about the trade. It was mostly domestic work, I helped with chasing the walls first and second fix and whatever they needed help with really. I was just glad they took me on so I could get hands on experience on site. Also they were more than happy to answer any questions I had, which really helped and it did help me massively to gain more practical skills in the real world.

What are your plans for the future?

My plans at the moment are to stay with my current company and learn as much as I can.

What advice would you give to someone looking at training to become an electrician?

My advice would be Just do it. I have to say it is not easy but if you are willing to put the hard work and time into it you will be fine. And it does improve your job situation because starting pay after finishing training is very good.

How would you describe the facilities and training at Trade Skills 4U?

Fantastic. Everything is of a really high standard. The classrooms and workshops are equipped with everything you need to successfully pass your training.

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Course: 2365 Level 2 & 3

What was your job before training as an electrician and why did you choose the electrical trade?

Before, I ran my own powder coating company. I had grown tired of having unreliable staff and being forced to work excessive amounts of hours in order to meet unrealistic deadlines for demanding customers. I wanted to find a career where I could work on my own and be able to properly plan my workload.

I already had an interest in electronics from school and I’ve always been fascinated by cutting edge technologies. Adding all these elements together, training as an electrician seemed like the perfect solution.

Why did you take the 2365 Level 2 & 3?

It offered the most comprehensive training for someone wanting to enter into the electrical industry without going through the apprenticeship route.

What did you enjoy most about the course?

I really enjoyed learning all the theory and reasoning behind electrical installations. Knowing why things are done a certain way meant that I started to see the everyday world in a different light. We had a great tutor in Adam Ormesher, who really engaged with the whole class and kept the content interesting throughout

What did you find most challenging?

Definitely the lighting circuits in the practical! There are so many different ways to wire them up that I often got a bit lost.

Can you tell us what you’re doing now?

I have started up on my own as an electrician. I am mostly sub-contracting to other, well established firms in order to build up my practical experience, but I do get the odd offer of my own work through friends and family.

What are your future plans to grow your business?

I have already returned to Trade Skills 4U and taken the PAT testing qualification. I will be back again for the inspection and testing course, the electric car charging point and the 18th edition course (when it is released). I want to arm myself with as much knowledge as possible so I am able to take on whatever work is offered to me.

What advice would you give to someone looking at training to become an electrician?

Work hard. Sometimes you may not grasp part of it straight away, but if you ask for help and stick with it, it will all make sense eventually. It is a really satisfying career choice, seeing a project through from beginning to end (no matter what it is) and having a pleased and grateful customer at the end of the day is a brilliant feeling.

Why did you choose TS4U?

Their training structure of 2 weeks on the course then the following 2 weeks back at home suited me perfectly. It allowed me to continue running my company as I trained ultimately leading to me selling it to move in to the electrical industry full time.

Thank you Michael for taking the time to tell us about your experience, we wish you luck in building your career as an electrician.

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Libby is studying Engineering at university and decided to come to Trade Skills 4U to gain some more hands on experience. Here, she discusses how she found the course and why more women should enter the trade.

What is your reason for training?

I’m training as part of my graduate engineering scheme to improve my practical skills and become more familiar with building and wiring regulations.

Tell us why you decided to train as an electrican?

My employer has sent me to this course because at university I had very little hands on experience, since traditional education has a very heavy focus on science and design theory. This scheme puts that theory into the context of the real world and demonstrates the additional considerations needed to successfully design a circuit.

How long have you been working in the electrical industry?

I graduated from a 4 year university course in 2017 and have been in my role for 6 months.

Tell us about your current job?

I am a graduate control, electrical and instrumentation engineer so my day to day includes a lot of computer based design. As part of the development programme I will be moving around different departments so I can learn more about how they work.

Why did you decide to take the Bronze course?

My employer has sent previous employees to Trade Skills 4U and received really positive feedback about the scheme so they’ve to incorporated it into the graduate development programme.

Tell us about your experience with TS4U?

My experience at Trade Skills 4U has been absolutely fantastic, the support available for people like me with little knowledge in the subject was incredible. All the staff I’ve found to be really approachable as well as professional.

What did you enjoy most about the course?

The interactive way the courses were taught which allowed for back and forth of questions was a great way to build a rapport with the instructor and create a more comfortable learning environment. Teaching theory along side the practical elements also really helped me relate what we were doing in the workrooms to something I knew about.

What did you find most challenging about the course?

Jumping in day one into a pure practical exercise was challenging for me whilst other students were really in their element. It was the first time I got hand cramp outside of an exam, trying to keep up with everyone else.

Do you have any advice for women who are thinking of entering the trade?

I recommend finding a balance between powering through on your own and knowing when to ask for help. Working together and talking through problems is one of the best ways to learn and also break the ice, but don’t be afraid to say no and that you want to do it by yourself. Ultimately, if someone else is over your shoulder and offering to tweak your work it won’t benefit anyone in the long run.

Do you think there’s plenty of opportunities for those working in the electrical industry?

I’ve found a lot of opportunities within my area when I was looking for training schemes. It’s such a vast industry there are so many levels to jump in on.

We wish Libby the best of luck with the rest of her training and new job!

The post Libby Rush – Case Study appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

Course: C&G 2365 Level 2 & 3

What did you do before you started training to be an electrician?

Before training at Trade Skills 4U, I worked in asset management.

What was your reason for training?

I chose to train as an electrician because I had grown tired with working in an office environment and travelling to the same place of work day after day. I wanted abit more variety.

Why did you choose the electrical field?

Before becoming an asset manager, I worked in a factory producing vehicle wiring harnesses, thus, electrical work was the obvious choice. Also, working as an electrician would allow me to work in different locations and earn good money at the same time so it met my needs.

Are you working as an electrician whilst studying?

I started working as an electrician 2 months into my level 2 course, for a company that maintains the electrical systems in a newspaper printers whilst also taking on various other contracts. The 2365 course allowed me to come into the industry and prove useful to the team on day one. I also noticed that as I progressed through the course, I could continue to take on more responsibility and tasks.

What do you enjoy most about the course?

As a fan of science, particularly physics, I enjoyed learning about the theory behind electricity and how to carry out cable calculations.

Are you struggling with any of the topics?

So far, I haven’t struggled with any of the topics or modules.

How would you describe the facilities at TS4U?

TS4U facilities are excellent. At no point did the group lose out due to facilities not being adequate.

Do you have any plans to gain more electrical qualifications?

I will use TS4U in the near future to get my inspection and testing certificate. Doing the course, and it being so diverse has made me realise how much I enjoy the theoretical and designing side of the industry. So I am contemplating further qualifications in that field.

What advice would you give to others thinking of taking the 2365?

Just sign up and change your life for the better. The course is over before you know it and then you are away. I am disappointed with myself I didn’t do it sooner.

What are your plans for the future?

I will spend a few years on the tools as was my initial reason for starting the course, but eventually I would like to go into designing installations and perhaps teaching later on.

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