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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It's the issue that jobseekers in pretty much every sector recognise: it's difficult to find work when you have no experience, and it's difficult to gain experience when you're unable to find work!

Gaining work experience as an electrician is no different, that is why we have put together this blog post that highlights the importance of electrical work experience as well as discussing what electrical work experience options are available to you. Let’s dive in!

Why Is Experience Important for Electricians?

Hands-on electrical experience is important for trainee electricians, as although classroom training provides important theoretical knowledge, applying these concepts in practical situations is a different ball game altogether.  

Working with electricity can also be extremely dangerous and practical experience helps to enhance understanding of safety protocols and hazards in a real world situation. Plus, this experience is crucial in helping trainee electricians become more confident with their work, knowledge and tools. This practical training will not only help reduce on-site injuries, but will ultimately create more confident, efficient and knowledgeable electricians.

Why Is It Difficult for Trainee Electricians to Gain Work Experience?

It can be particularly difficult for trainee electricians to gain work experience because many employers require prior on-the-job experience. This creates a catch-22 situation where new electricians struggle to get experience, without having experience!

In addition to this, many companies are hesitant to take on those who are inexperienced due to the dangerous nature of electrical work, and therefore would rather hire experienced individuals that are already familiar with the job.

To overcome these challenges, there are a couple of different options:

• Get your qualifications and complete an NVQ

A NVQ is a National Vocational Qualification that demonstrates a person’s ability to do a job. At Access Training, both our Professional and Premium electrical courses include an NVQ, but with our Premium course, you can get your Level 3 NVQ and a guaranteed work placement.

This means that not only will you be completing the portfolio of work required for the NVQ, but also gaining valuable work experience that will help you find work later on.

 Find out how Kwame trained with Access, completed his work placement and got offered a job as an Electrician: 

• Enrol on the Access Apprenticeship programme

With our Access Apprenticeship programme, once you’ve completed your Level 1 Health & Safety training and obtained your CSCS card, we can get you a guaranteed interview with a UK construction firm who can then employ you as a groundworker or labourer.

This will provide you with invaluable on-site work experience early on in your programme while you complete your other electrical qualifications.  Plus, all of our Access Apprentices earn a standard site labourer wage – so you can earn while you learn!

So, if you’re struggling to find work experience as an electrician, give Access Training a try today. Get in touch or use the links below to find out more!

Electrician Courses  Electrician Apprenticeships

SHORT ANSWER: Yes, plumbing can be a very good career indeed. The work is very rewarding, and plumbers are in constant demand, so there's no shortage of opportunities for someone with the right skills.

Plumbing pays very well indeed, and if you want to be your own boss, you can choose to strike out on your own as a self-employed plumber.

Plumbing is also future-proof. If you're looking for a career that can't be made obsolete by AI or computers, plumbing is a pretty safe bet.

Read on for more reasons why plumbing is such a good profession to get into, plus everything you'll need to kickstart your successful plumbing career!

More...

Need an alternative to university? Read our article for 5 university alternatives that could kickstart your career, including apprenticeships and training courses!

In recent years, there has been a growing debate about the value of university education. Some people argue that university is the best way to get a good job and earn a high salary, however not all employers value a degree. There seems to be a growing emphasis on "experience" as a barrier to employment.

If you don't want to go to university, or it's just not an option for you, then there are plenty of uni alternatives that can help you find a rewarding career. In this article, we'll explore the reasons why university is not always the best option, and give you some idea of what you can do instead of university.

Is It Okay to Not Go to University?

Yes, it is okay to not go to university! Throughout your school life, it may seem as though teachers, family, and peers are all encouraging you to take a certain path that you may not necessarily think is the best fit for you. We know the price of going to university often puts off potential students, and the idea of living in debt is a daunting thing to face - particularly at a young age. Plus, 3-4 years on just one course can seem like a massive time investment.

What’s more is that university seldom fulfils the expectations of those attending. Recent statistics show that there are "over 96,000 unemployed graduates each academic year." Research has also shown that an average of 48,548 students each year drop out of their courses.

If you can't get over the negatives, there are plenty of alternatives to university, like apprenticeships and shorter training courses. Although a degree is needed for some jobs, there are plenty of careers (like trade careers) that you can achieve through university alternatives.

What Can I Do Instead of University?

There's lots that you can do instead of university, like get a job, or learn a trade. If you are among the growing number of school leavers and students who feel that university might not be the right choice, read on for 5 alternatives to university that you can do instead.

Some popular alternatives to university are:

1. Do an Apprenticeship

If you’d like an alternative to university that will still help you acquire valuable skills and qualifications, then an apprenticeship might be the best route for you.

Apprenticeships are very good alternatives to university. They give you the opportunity to experience the world of employment while earning a decent wage. In essence, it’s like paid work experience in your chosen field, and one which will greatly increase your employability. Combining valuable work experience and training will give you the necessary skills to start your chosen career path.

There are plenty of apprenticeship opportunities available for those who are looking to learn, particularly in industries like the trades. If you are interested in becoming a plumber, electrician, or gas engineer, then you can get started with an Access Training Apprenticeship.

2. Take a Gap Year

If you’re still undecided about going to university by the time you finish school, there is no need to despair. People don’t always know for sure what it is they want to do, perhaps not until years later. If you're looking for what to do instead or uni, you can always take a break to think about it.

Gap years are an increasingly popular choice for people who want something to do instead of university. Taking time to consider all your available options, give yourself a break from education, and perhaps get some life experience working or travelling can be beneficial to your overall growth. This can be a great uni alternative if you aren't quite sure if you want to continue into higher education or not - it gives you a chance to think things through.

It might also be an opportunity to gain new qualifications in your spare time. Enhancing your personal statement or CV can help to improve your employability. Consider enrolling in some training courses to help you acquire new skills during this break. Staying productive during this break, by learning a skill or trade, will show future employers that you weren't just sitting around for a year. It demonstrates determination and passion.

3. Get a Job

Not everybody is destined for an academic route. And it’s perfectly acceptable to hop off the education train after your GCSEs or A Levels and head straight into the working world. If you aren’t interested in an academic future, but would much rather get your hands stuck in, then that's a totally valid alternative to uni. Some people don't want to go to university at all - and that's okay!

A good option for you could be to cash-in on the qualifications you’ve earnt at your time in school and begin your working life. It can be difficult to start your career with no experience, but it's not impossible. Look for jobs with no experience required, like some customer service roles.

If you're struggling to find work with no qualifications, here's the plan: compromise. You need something that pays, but still helps you achieve qualifications. Consider an "earn while you learn" university alternative. At Access Training, we offer these for Plumbers, Electricians, and Gas Engineers.

4. Study Overseas

Why not combine a gap year with a common university experience and study overseas? If you are excited by the idea of travelling and learning at the same time, this might be the way to go.

With several overseas studying schemes available to students, this uni alternative is increasingly popular. Some employers may even be impressed by seeing oversees study on your CV, due to the independence it demonstrates, which can set you apart from other employees. However, keep in mind that this route can be expensive and will require you to move away from your home, which can be surprisingly difficult. Only choose this university alternative if you are sure it is right for you.

5. Learn a Trade

Not everybody wants to continue down the academic route after school, and the trade industry is an excellent alternative to university.

Tradespeople such as plumbers, electricians and gas engineers are thriving off the skills shortage that's currently plaguing the industry. As a result, studying a trade could result in pretty steady employment for you. With a rapidly rising UK population and huge housing and road developments proposed for the future, tradespeople are likely to see a rewarding career.

With a huge workforce needed to make these developments happen, as well as the maintenance and installation of appliances for years to come, a career as a tradesperson could be the perfect university alternative.

If a career in the trade appeals to you more than going university, take a look at the courses available at Access Training today.

What will you do instead of university?

As we've seen, there are many great university alternatives out there! If you would like to discuss your alternatives to university and what course would best suit your interests, we can help. With the help of our experienced course advisors, we can put you on the right path to a successful, fulfilling career. Talk to us today for more details.

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