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benefits of learning a trade
In today’s world, there is a strong push towards pursuing university degrees and higher education and so the immense value of learning a trade is often overlooked. Whether it’s construction, plumbing or electrical work, the benefits of pursuing a trade are vast and varied. In fact, for many people learning a trade may be a far more rewarding career move than a traditional university degree.

So, why is learning a trade so appealing? Let’s dive into the key benefits.

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In a world where pursuing higher education and university degrees is the societal norm, there’s another path that deserves just as much attention – learning a trade. From plumbing to electrical work, learning a trade can be extremely rewarding and often leads to highly successful careers. So, is learning a trade worth it? This blog will help you decide!

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Electrical Theory Training

Whether you’re looking to train as an electrician or you’re just curious about how electricity works, understanding the basics of electrical theory is the first step. Electrical theory training is crucial as it provides the foundation for understanding and working with electrical systems safely and competently – skills that are essential whether you’re an engineer, electrician or just a DIY enthusiast.

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Turning 40 is a big milestone, and with it comes time to reflect on your career, your goals and where your life is heading. If you’re feeling stuck, unmotivated and unfulfilled in your current career, it may be time to consider a change!

Becoming a gas engineer at 40 can feel intimidating, you may be thinking you’re too old or inexperienced to make such a big career change, but we are here to tell you you’re definitely not! With Access Training, retraining as a gas engineer at 40 couldn’t be easier, keep reading this blog to find more!

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would i be a good electrician

If you’re considering changing careers to train as an electrician, you may be feeling anxious about whether or not electrical work is a good fit for you and your skills. This blog will explore what makes a good electrician so that you can decide whether being an electrician is the right career for you. Let’s get started!

 

1. Do you like working with your hands?

It’s rare to find an electrician sitting behind a desk, instead they are moving, building, fixing and problem-solving with their hands. If you’ve always loved hands-on, practical projects like home DIY or building furniture, becoming an electrician could be a natural fit for you.

 

2. Do you have good attention to detail?

Many of the tasks carried out by electricians require meticulous attention to detail, particularly jobs that require complex wiring or reading blueprints. One small mistake in electrical work can be extremely dangerous, so having a precise attention to detail is a crucial skill.

 

3. Do you enjoy problem solving?

A key part of being an electrician involves diagnosing and resolving technical electrical issues efficiently. Electricians need to be able to analyse situations and come up with informed, safe and creative solutions. So, if you’re someone who likes to figure out how things work and won’t give up until you find an answer, a career as an electrician could be perfect for you.  

 

4. Are you comfortable with basic maths?

Electricians are frequently required to work out calculations relating to power, voltage and resistance, so anyone looking to work in this field will need to have an understanding of basic maths. You don’t need to be a complete maths whiz, but a solid understanding of measurements, basic algebra, and technical diagrams will go a long way!

 

5. Are you physically capable?

Being an electrician can be physically demanding. You may need to climb ladders, carry heavy equipment, crawl through tight spaces and work in basements and attics. However, if you don’t mind getting dirty and you are comfortable moving around and spending time on your feet, you should have no issues working as an electrician.

 

6. Are you looking for a job with security?

The demand for skilled tradespeople like electricians is on the rise. So if you’re looking for a stable job that will always be in demand and has great opportunities to grow, becoming an electrician could be your best decision yet.

 

So, would I be a good electrician?

If you answered yes to most of the questions above then yes, you may have what it takes to be a good electrician!

 

At Access Training, we offer a selection of electrician courses and apprenticeships that can fast-track your journey to becoming an electrician. Use the buttons below to browse our electrical courses or get in touch with us today!

Electrical Courses         Get in Touch

benefits of learning a trade
In today’s world, there is a strong push towards pursuing university degrees and higher education and so the immense value of learning a trade is often overlooked. Whether it’s construction, plumbing or electrical work, the benefits of pursuing a trade are vast and varied. In fact, for many people learning a trade may be a far more rewarding career move than a traditional university degree.

So, why is learning a trade so appealing? Let’s dive into the key benefits.

More...

How to Change Careers at 40

Changing careers at 40 can be a daunting decision, but it’s never too late to explore a different path and transition into a new field. In fact, at 40 years old you probably have the perfect balance of experience and self-awareness that can set the stage for a fulfilling new professional chapter.

At Access Training, we have been helping people make meaningful midlife career changes for over 20 years. In that time, we have delivered over 35,000 trade courses to adult students from all sorts of different backgrounds –  so you can trust us to give the best advice on changing careers later in life.

If you’re feeling stuck or unfulfilled in your current role, this blog will guide you through the stages of a midlife career change so that you can successfully transition into the career of your dreams!

 

How to Change Careers at 40

 

1. Assess Your Current Situation

Before diving into a new career, first take some time to evaluate your current situation. What about your current role do you like or dislike? What are some non-negotiables for a new role? What things excite you? What are your best skills? What skills do you want to improve? What would you enjoy doing every day?

Understanding what you’re looking for and why you want a career change will help you make an informed decision when choosing your next role.

 

2. Consider Your Transferable Skills

One of the best things about a midlife career change is that throughout your lifetime, you will have acquired a wide range of transferable skills. You may have strong communication and leadership skills, or perhaps you’re good at problem solving or working in a team. You can then frame these skills in a way that aligns with your new field.

For example, if you’re good at critical thinking and problem-solving, you may be a good fit for a career in the trades where encountering unexpected issues and challenges that needs fixing is a common part of the job.

 

3. Research, Research, Research!

Once you have created a list of your top skills, start researching how they can be applied in a new field. This will also help you to identify whether you need to acquire new skills or credentials.

Consider enrolling on courses or workshops to gain additional experience in your new field. At Access Training, we have helped thousands of students get qualified and find work in the trades, so if a trade career sounds appealing to you, browse our trade courses today. Don’t forget: a short-term investment into your learning can pay off in a long-term satisfying career.

 

4. Prepare for Financial Changes

Changing careers, particularly later in life, can involve a temporary dip in earnings, so you should ensure you are prepared for this period of financial adjustment. Consider how much money you will need to train in your chosen career and how you will supplement your income through other means while you gain experience in your new field.

Having savings put to one side to help support you while retraining can help to reduce the stress associated with a career change and give you more freedom to focus on your goals.

 

5. Believe in Yourself

A midlife career change can be challenging, and you may experience setbacks and doubts along the way. However, at 40 years old, you have the advantage of maturity and life experience on your side that many younger professionals do not have. Stay resilient and trust that the skills and experience you have built up over the years are valuable.

You may even discover new strengths and interests that you never knew you had. So stay dedicated and believe in your ability to thrive in a new field – it’s never too late to pursue your dreams!

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To learn more about midlife career changes to the trades, check out our blog Career Change at 30.

What makes a good plumber?

Finding a reliable plumber can be difficult, especially when you've got a plumbing emergency on your hands and there's no time to shop around.

If you need a good plumber ASAP, here are some green flags to look for:

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Is Access Training legit?

If you're thinking about learning a trade with Access Training, you might be wondering if the courses we offer are too good to be true. Is Access Training really a legitimate training option for those looking to learn new skills and become qualified tradespeople?

We'll spare you the suspense: the short answer is a resounding YES!

For the longer answer, keep reading.

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While there will always be a demand for qualified tradespeople such as electricians, plumbers and gas engineers, setting yourself apart from the other tradespeople in your local area is a good idea if you want to get your name out there among potential clients. The best way to do this is to consider qualifying in more than one skill.

What Skills Can I Combine?

Commonly gas engineer training goes hand in hand with plumbing qualifications, but there are far more potential combinations that could benefit your future career and boost your chance of success when starting up your own business.

For example, if a plumber were to undertake electrical training it would open up a variety of new work for them that they wouldn’t be able to complete otherwise without a second tradesperson. They would be able to properly install electric showers, and by achieving a Part-P qualification would also be permitted to sign off the work themselves once they had joined a relevant Competent Person Scheme.

Take note though, it’s vital that you train thoroughly in both skills. A plumber should not be attempting any electrical work without the proper electrical qualifications and the same goes for any other potential trades. Not only would you be putting yourself at risk, but your customer and their family too.

At Access Training, we offer a few different courses that cover multiple disciplines. For example, both our Premium and Professional Gas Courses include a plumbing qualification and our Premium Plumbing Course includes a gas qualification.

Still unsure if multi-skills training is right for you? Check out this testimonial from our student Rob. who started on one of our electrical courses and has now moved on to do plumbing and gas too...

If you want to master multiple trades, contact Access Training now and speak to one of our friendly course advisers - we can build you a personalised training programme that includes everything you want to learn.

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