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Apprentice electrician

An electrical apprenticeship is kind of like a cross between a university course and a full-time job. Electrical apprentices carry out real-life electrical work (under the supervision of an experienced electrician, of course) and get paid for it; but they also spend part of their time in the classroom, studying their new trade and the theory that underpins it. 

Electrical apprentices typically spend at least 20% of their working hours studying.

Some see the traditional apprenticeship route as a rite of passage for budding tradespeople. But an electrical apprenticeship is rarely the most efficient way to get qualified and start your career.

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Apprentice electrician

An electrical apprenticeship is kind of like a cross between a university course and a full-time job. Electrical apprentices carry out real-life electrical work (under the supervision of an experienced electrician, of course) and get paid for it; but they also spend part of their time in the classroom, studying their new trade and the theory that underpins it. 

Electrical apprentices typically spend at least 20% of their working hours studying.

Some see the traditional apprenticeship route as a rite of passage for budding tradespeople. But an electrical apprenticeship is rarely the most efficient way to get qualified and start your career.

More...

Self-employed electricians in the UK have been left buzzing this month as average earnings reached their highest level on record.

According to data analysis by Hudson Contract, October payroll figures confirm that earnings for electricians in England and Wales rose by 5.8%, amounting to a weekly average of £1165.

 

money, electrician wages

 

Record-Breaking Wages

Hudson Contract is a payroll firm responsible for well over 2000 construction companies in the UK.

The firm has been analysing subcontractor earning since March 2008 and in the entire 11+ year span of those records, electrician wages have never been higher.

Welsh electricians saw an incredible spike in earnings growth with a rise of over 25%. Meanwhile, both the south-east and the north-west also saw sizeable peaks, both with a growth of over 8%.

Despite the boosts elsewhere, electrician’s in the east of England remain the highest earnings, topping off at an average of £1363/week which equates to a theoretical £70k/annum.

 

A Lucrative Career Path

On average, electricians regularly find themselves within the top three earners in the construction industry and this latest statistic proves once again just how lucrative an electrical career can be.

Managing Director of Hudson Contract, Ian Anfield, had this say:

“Despite political uncertainty and a general election, freelance electricians have never earned more. We hope this message reaches young people considering a career in construction.”

 

Electrical Careers at Access Training UK

As the figures suggest, there’s never been a better time to consider a career in the electrical industry, with the potential to earn respectable annual salaries that rival and surpass most graduates.

Here at Access Training, we can help you get your career on track with our variety of electrician courses. Whether you’re a total novice taking your first steps in the electrical game or a seasoned veteran hoping to sharpen your skills with some additional knowledge, we have the course for you.

 

New Career Courses

Perfect for those with little to no experience, our beginner courses include the following:

Essential Electrical Course

Professional Electrician Course

Premier Electrical Course

 

Trade Professional Courses

For the more seasoned professional, we offer the following courses, designed to expand your existing knowledge:

Part P Domestic Electrical Installer

18th Edition

Part P & 18th Edition

PAT Testing

Initial Verification

Periodic Inspection & Testing

Fundamental Inspection Testing

Combined Inspection & Testing

Electrical Design Course

 

For more information on the wide range electrician courses at Access Training UK, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 0800 345 7492 or get in touch online by clicking the link below.

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The last month has seen school-leavers across the UK celebrate and commiserate over their GCSE and A-Level results.

Nevertheless, regardless of the score, the outcome has largely been met by the same question: “What now?”

For many, higher education is the logical next step; however, there is an alternate route that poses a wide range of benefits.

Picking up a trade fresh out of school can be a wise move that pays off for years to come, particularly when it comes to the electrical trade.

How so? Read on to find out…

 

electrical careers, electrical training, electrician courses

 

“University Is Not For Everyone”

Higher education has long been held up as the pinnacle of education and must for school-leavers looking to better themselves.

However, in recent years, that has often not been the case, with many graduates struggling to find employment post-university.

Senior Group Technical Presenter at NICEIC, Darren Staniforth, had this to say:

“University is not for everyone and the perception that you can only have a successful career if you get a degree is a false one.

“The construction industry is a well-paid sector that offers a vast array of opportunities. Yet, it is still viewed by some as a third-rate industry for people who do not perform well at school.

“A trade is a viable career path which gives students the chance to learn specific skills that can open up many doors and avenues in the future – including working abroad.”

 

Conducting Research

These sentiments were backed by figures from the Federation of National Builders, who noted that construction apprentices will go on to earn thousands of pounds more every year than many of their university-educated counterparts.

According to their research, the FMB found that the average annual salary of UK electricians was an impressive £47k, while the average university graduate in England earns £32k/year, noting that a shortage in skilled workers makes the construction industry a very lucrative career path.

These sentiments were echoed by the experts at the Pensions Policy Institute, who worked out that even a 22-year-old electrician on an average salary of £18k could have a pension pot worth £111k by the time they retire. Talk about investing in your future!

READ MORE: What is an Electrician's Salary?

 

Electrical Courses with Access Training

If you’re one of those school-leavers fresh off your GCSE or A-Level results, now is the perfect time to consider an electrical career. Both rewarding and useful, a training to become an electrician is extremely worthwhile on a number of levels.

Best of all, with electrical courses at Access Training, you don’t need any prior experience to get your journey started!

READ MORE: How to Become an Electrician

 

New Career Courses

Our beginner courses are ideal for those with limited or no experience.

These include:

Essential Electrical Course

Professional Electrician Course

Premier Electrical Course

 

Trade Professional Courses

For more experienced, we also offer a range of courses designed to build on your existing knowledge.

These include:

Part P Domestic Electrical Installer

18th Edition

Part P & 18th Edition

PAT Testing

Initial Verification

Periodic Inspection & Testing

Fundamental Inspection Testing

Combined Inspection & Testing

Electrical Design Course

 

For more information on electrical training and electrician courses from Access Training UK, why not get in touch today? Call now on 0800 345 7492 or get in touch online using the button below.

Get in Touch

Basic Electrical Training - Is Being an Electrician Easy

Being an electrician sounds like an inviting job. The work is rewarding and well-paid, and you get to move around a lot, going from one job to the next instead of spending all day at a desk.

But is it easy being an electrician? You'll probably get a different answer to that question from each electrician you ask, but nevertheless, here are a few things to consider when deciding if you'd like to become an electrician.

 

Is being an electrician easy?

Once qualified, an electrician's job can vary greatly from day to day, which may mean that some days are easier than others. We find that most of our graduates enjoy this diverse selection of work and find the job fulfilling and satisfying. Of course - as with any job - the more experience you gain, the easier it will become.

When you work with electricity, there is obviously some danger that comes with the job - click here to read our blog post on this subject. The risks are very minimal once you know what you're doing, but no matter how long you've been an electrician for, it's always important to remain vigilant.

In general, with a healthy salary (more than £30,000 per annum on average) and a wide selection of work on offer, being an electrician is very worthwhile, and enjoyably challenging without being overwhelming.

If you are considering a career as an electrician, click the links below to find out what each of our electrician training courses entails:

 

What qualifications do I need to be an electrician?

Nothing worth having comes easily, and of course that is true of a successful career. Electricians have to go through the appropriate training to learn the relevant skills and stay safe –after all, it's crucial to know what you're doing when you're working with electricity!

That is why there are certain qualifications that you MUST have before starting work as an electrician. These qualifications are included in our Essential Electrical Course which will provide you with:

  • Part P Domestic Installer
  • 17th Edition Electrical Regs
  • Building Regulations for Electrical Installations in Dwellings 

 

Is it hard to train to be an electrician?

Here at Access Training, we offer a range of electrical courses (which you can browse here) that are suitable for learners of all ages and all experience levels. These courses allow you to gain industry-recognised qualifications and become a fully-certified electrician within a relatively short window of time. We wouldn't necessarily call our courses 'easy' - there's a lot of theory and technical skill involved in becoming a professional sparky - and students have to work hard in order to pass the course and earn the qualifications necessary to start work as an electrician.

However, our courses do allow you to become qualified in a quicker period of time than traditional methods. Whereas other electrician training takes years, Access Training allows you to gain qualifications within a much shorter time frame.

 

Being an electrician: pros & cons

Pros

Paid apprenticeships

A big incentive for becoming an electrician is the fact that you could start earning before you've even qualified. Where other careers require you to go to university for a number of years - costing you money - paid apprenticeships enable you to become a qualified electrician while getting paid!

Here at Access Training, we can get you a guaranteed interview with a UK construction firm who can employ you as a groundworker or labourer. All you need to do is complete your Level 1 Health & Safety training and obtained your CSCS card. Then you’ll complete the theory portion of your electrical course while also gaining invaluable on-site experience.

 

Good salary

Electricians make good money due to the specific skills required and high-risk nature of the job. According to Reed, the average salary for an electrician in the UK is £40,524 a year.

 

Work for yourself

If you were to set up your own business and work for yourself, you'd have the freedom to choose the jobs you want and the hours you work. As a self-employed electrician, you would also have the ability to decide your own rates so you have the potential to earn more than the average electrician.

Read more: What Is a Self-Employed Electrician's Salary?

 

Cons

Safety risks

Working with electricity is up there with one of the most dangerous careers. According to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), electricians and those who work with electricity are at risk of:

  • electric shock and burns from contact with live parts
  • injury from exposure to arcing (when electricity jumps from one circuit to another)
  • fire from faulty electrical equipment or installations
  • explosion caused by unsuitable electrical apparatus
  • static electricity igniting flammable vapours or dusts, for example in a spray-paint booth

 

Job security/inconsistent hours

For self-employed electricians, there is a risk of running out of work. Sometimes weeks or even months could go by without securing a job. Fortunately there are full-time, permanent electrician roles out there if you're not interested in starting your own business.

That being said, even those with full-time employment contracts will have to deal with inconsistent hours and often long hours too, which is something to bear in mind.

 

For any advice on what being an electrician is like, or about any of our courses, feel free to get in touch with the Access Training team.

 

Read More:

Is Being an Electrician Dangerous
 

When we are contacted by individuals researching electrical training courses, one of their main concerns regarding the profession is the obvious issue of safety. We are repeatedly (and rightly) reminded about the dangers associated with electricity on an everyday level, so it's easy to see why someone might be hesitant regarding the profession, with only the layman's understanding that they will be working with a highly dangerous power source.

Before you decide to become an electrician, it's important to familiarise yourself with the risks associated with the profession. While this may seem rather off-putting at first, it is actually far more beneficial to those looking to build a long-term career as an electrician. When you are aware of the dangers posed to you, as well as to colleagues and members of the public, you are more likely to keep in mind how important it is to follow proper health and safety procedures. As we have noted in a previous post, a career as an electrician can be both lucrative and rewarding, but to be a truly successful electrical engineer you must always keep in mind the possible dangers associated with the job.

Whether you decide to become a domestic installer or a site services electrician, there will be particular risks within your set area, as well as many that are universal. For example, domestic call-outs can be dangerous for electricians, as they are often called to rectify poor work attempted by inexperienced individuals. The best defence against these risks, along with those in many other trade professions, is knowledge. If you receive the right training and qualifications, before going on to uphold the strict guidelines required to work as an electrician, you will ensure that you are able to substantially reduce these risks, almost eliminating them altogether.

To make your choice a bit more straightforward, here are some simple tips for ensuring safety as an electrician:

  • Get the Proper Training - At Access Training, we offer several Electrical Courses which provide you with the opportunity to gain industry recognized qualifications, under the supervision of experienced installers. As industry experts, we uphold strict safety standards, to ensure that you are able to complete your training safely. 

  • Build on Your Knowledge - To progress in your career as an electrician, you will need to expand your knowledge not only by gaining practical experience, but by updating and advancing your existing qualifications. At Access Training, we not only provide courses for beginners, but also for experienced installers.

  • Keep up-to-date on Guidelines and Best Practices - As with any industry, the electrical trade has a strict set of procedures that if followed, should eliminate or reduce the risks of working with electrical currents. Useful guides can be found on the Electrical Safety First and HSE websites.
For more information about our Electrician Courses, please feel free to get in touch today!

The Essential Electrical Course is Access Training's basic electrical training programme. No experience is required to enrol, and so it's the perfect entry point for novices who want to learn the trade from scratch and work towards turning professional.

Interested? Here's everything you need to know about our Essential Electrical Course at a glance:

Who can take this course?

Anyone aged 18 or over. People of all races, genders and backgrounds are welcome, and as mentioned above, no prior electrical experience is necessary - our expert tutors will teach you everything from the absolute basics onward!

What will I learn?

Candidates who enrol on this course will cover a wide variety of topics, including:
  • Building regulations
  • Electrical safety
  • Earthing and bonding
  • Installing/replacing/checking components
The course has been designed to give candidates a thorough knowledge of domestic electrical work whilst covering both technical theory and practical electrician skills.

What qualifications will I earn?

Successful completion of the Essential Electrical Course will earn you two qualifications: the City & Guilds 17th Edition Electrical Regulations certificate, and the Part P Domestic Installer certificate. These two qualifications are a minimum requirement for all domestic electricians.

If you're ready to take the first step towards learning a new trade and becoming a domestic electrician, please click here or call 0800 345 7492 to enquire about our Essential Electrical Course.
 
DIY is something of a sticky situation for both tradespeople and homeowners, but when it comes to electrical safety, mistakes or mistrust from either party could prove to be fatal. According to a news article published by Electrical Times a few days ago, electricians are the trade most often called out to rescue DIY jobs gone wrong, and half of severe electrical shocks are caused by failed or misguided DIY attempts. No puns about 'shocking statistics' here, but it is worrying to see such a widespread disregard and ignorance of electrical safety. We've all heard the warnings about not sticking utensils into toasters, but it seems that on the whole, the average citizen and even some professionals are not giving electrical safety the attention it deserves.
 
According to Electrical Times and the charity Electrical Safety First, young people have become more at risk due to the growing popularity of online tutorials, which can sometimes cause inexperienced individuals to carry out work that they are unfit to complete. Hand in hand with the skills crisis we're seeing in the professional sector, people under 35 are losing the ability to perform what would have once been described as 'basic skills', and are picking up their knowledge from untrustworthy resources on the web. Electrical Safety First has demonstrated the risks of such overly-ambitious and dangerous undertakings as part of their 'Don't Die for DIY' campaign, in a series of videos which can be viewed here. This demonstrates the risks that come from following unregulated advice, and the threat posed by undertaking electrical work without the proper training or experience. 
 
While it is possible to understand why homeowners would want to carry out electrical jobs themselves, with money being tight in many households and 'rouge traders' becoming a growing concern due to media exposure, the fact remains that these kind of undertakings often pose serious health and safety risks to everyone involved. In terms of the average homeowner, there needs to be an improved awareness of the knowledge and experience needed to carry out these dangerous projects, and in relation to the professional sector, there has to be a greater emphasis placed on keeping your skills up to date, and continuing to abide by the rules set out by regulatory bodies. 
 
If You're a DIY Enthusiast:
 
  • Don't be swayed by the financial allure of saving money by performing a DIY job! If things go wrong, which they very often do, you will eventually end up spending money on calling out an electrician to put things right. This could even cost you more than the original fee due to factors such as emergency call-out rates, and the increased attention required to rectify a botched job.
  • Know the risks - Qualified electricians have spent a long time training and gaining experience in their field; something which can't simply be supplemented with 'quick fix' options. Saving some money is not worth putting yourself and others at risk of receiving a fatal injury, so keep that in mind before starting your job.
  • Train Properly - If you are serious about performing DIY jobs yourself, then why not invest in your abilities and take one of our electrician courses? While our courses are intended to help people make electrical work their career, we can tailor our programmes to suit any individual's needs, making them more than suitable for someone who simply wants to undertake domestic work in their own home. Most importantly, you'll be taught by professional, accredited teaching staff with years of experience.
If You're a Professional:
  • In order to build a bond of trust with your clients, it is important that you always strive to provide them with an honest and courteous service. If people feel that they are being overcharged or inconvenienced in any way, it is highly unlikely that they will choose to hire your services (or those of another professional for that matter) in the future. Make sure that you display professionalism at all times, to instil confidence in your services and those of the sector as a whole.
  • Don't become overly confident, careless or take things for granted! As humans, our brains are constantly looking for ways to make things easier for ourselves, but when it comes to electrical safety and performing dangerous work at a professional level, this is a risk that simply cannot be taken. This goes for business owners and managers as well, who should always ensure that their employees are fully trained, and are following health and safety guidelines.
  • As well as new career courses, we also provide electrician courses for experienced professionals who need to refresh their skills or add additional knowledge to their portfolio. From Portable Appliance Testing to Combined Inspection and Testing, we have a range of courses to expand your professional knowledge and improve your ability to work safely.
For more information about any of our courses, get in touch with us today!
 
 

 

Here at Access Training, we offer a large variety of electrical courses that equip each student with the skills necessary to embark on a new career as a fully qualified electrician. Our courses are developed for people who would like a new challenge and aspire to run their own businesses. But don’t take our word for it - have a look at what some of our past students had to say about their experience at Access Training:

"The training was very daunting to start with, but it all gets broken down into simple manageable tasks where I was very well supported by the tutor." - Peter Baxter

As the years go by, technology changes, and so the skills that are needed to become a fully qualified electrician are ever changing. When researching electrician courses, it's important to choose an academy that keeps up with the ever-changing electrical environment; here at Access Training, we constantly update our state-of-the-art facilities and endeavour to provide a realistic, hands-on learning experience for all of our students, so when you are working in the field, you are confident dealing with real life work.  

Gethyn Hudson had this to say about his experience at Access Training:

"A well run practical week, with real life problems. It allowed me to develop the skills from week one in a practical situation. The tutor gave me the space I needed but was always on hand when required. The facilities and training staff are very good." - Gethyn Hudson

Here at Access Training, we will provide you with the knowledge, qualifications and confidence to become self-employed. Former students Richard Gates and Scott Daily were not fully satisfied with their chosen careers, so they enrolled on an electrician course provided by Access Training and they are both now trading as self-employed electricians:

"This course has led to me becoming self-employed as an electrician and has led to me expanding my family's building and roofing business." - Scott Daly

"I'm the happiest I've ever been in my working life. I like being my own boss and having control over my working week. And I'm earning three times what I was at the BBC!" - Richard Gates 

If you are thinking about changing your career in 2016, our flexible courses will allow you complete your training about your current commitments, so if you have family commitments, or are currently employed you will not have to quit your job while training for your new  career. No matter your situation, we will always endeavour to accommodate you. 

So if you want to take the plunge and begin training to become your own boss in 2016, why not enquire about our electrician courses? Click here to view our full range of electrician courses; alternatively, you can contact us on 0800 245 7492 or e-mail info@accesstraininguk.co.uk.

Does your work day leave you feeling bored and unfulfilled? Are you considering taking the plunge and embarking on a new career? If so, Access Training can help!

Electrical training

We provide a number of City & Guilds-accredited electrical training courses, covering every aspect of electrical work. For people who have little to no prior knowledge of the electrical trade, we provide three course options:
Each of these courses will get you trained to a progressively more advanced level; for example, the 'Essentials' course is ideal for those who wish to learn the basics, while the 'Professional' and 'Premier' courses will furnish you with a number of additional industry-recognised qualifications to help you go further.

Electrical Training for Experienced Candidates

If you already have some experience of electrical work and wish to gain further qualifications, we offer a variety of courses for you, too. Options include:
  • Portable Appliance Testing (City & Guilds 2377) - A requirement for anyone who is inspecting and testing electrical systems.

  • Inspection and Testing (City & Guilds 2394) - This course covers design, installation and testing, meeting legal requirements, and issuing safety certificates.

  • Electrical Design Course (City & Guilds 2396) - This is the highest qualification in the electrical trade, covering designing electrical installations, calculating required materials, and inspecting, testing and verifying all installations.

  • Part P & 17th Edition for Experienced Installers – This qualification will allow you to re-wire entire houses, install electrical systems in dwellings, wire up home extensions, and carry out installations in commercial spaces. 
So if you are serious about a change of career and wish to start training as a professional electrician, give us a call on 0800 345 7492 to book your place on one of our electrical training courses. Our training programmes are flexible, intensive, and affordable - no matter what your current commitments are, we can help you to get the qualifications you need!

Get in touch to learn more about our training courses!

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