All posts by mark

Mar 201631

2016 Shaping up to be a Busy Year for UK Tradespeople

Mark

While we often discuss the need for skilled tradespeople in the context of the UK skills shortage, it is refreshing to be able to encourage people into the industry for more positive reasons; namely the demand and profit currently being witnessed by UK businesses. Today, BDaily reported that 2016 has been a great year for UK tradespeople so far, with revenue increasing due to the high demand being witnessed by companies, particularly in areas such as house-building.

Thanks to the regular requirement of their services, companies have found that they are not experiencing 'dry patches' without work, and are in-fact, having to extend their waiting lists to keep up with enquiries. Thanks to this demand, employers within these sectors are able to take on more staff, with 24% agreeing that they expect to do so this year. Thanks to these positive predictions, tradespeople are also feeling more contented with their industry prospects and work life, with a whopping 91% reporting this to be true.

With the demand for work growing, and employers offering new, exciting opportunities on a regular basis, now is the perfect time to enter into a trade profession. Not only will you have access to a wide range of employers, you will also gain the opportunity to choose from a variety of working environments, from large operations to smaller enterprises in the residential sphere. Right now, there are a fantastic set of work prospects waiting to be taken advantage of, whether you see yourself as a future business owner, a self-employed freelancer or simply a regular trade employee. Whatever your ambitions may be, the best way to gain access to this flourishing field is to gain the best training possible, in order to lay steady foundations for your future career.

At Access Training, we provide a wide range of courses to cover every experience level, from total beginners to trade professionals. Whether you're looking to change your career completely, refresh your skills, or add another skill to your portfolio in order to seek a wider range of work, we have the resources to support you through your transition. (refresh know) We offer a selection of courses in all the key trades, from plumbing and electrical to bricklaying and carpentry, as well as many more!

To explore our full range of courses, click here, or get in touch with us for more information and guidance!

For more industry news updates, follow us on Twitter.

Mar 201622

Is Being an Electrician Dangerous?

Mark

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!

Mar 201604

How Much Can I Make as an Electrician?

Mark

If you're thinking of putting your time and effort into completing a training course, you'll want to do some through research before you begin, to make sure that your investment is worthwhile. Before committing to a new career, it's important that you consider whether or not the industry is right for you, by looking into the hours you could be expected to work, job availability, and of course, the financial aspects.

Last week, we wrote a piece about electricians being happy workers, but what about their earnings? Well, if you're considering becoming an electrician, you'll be pleased to find out that they are, on average, the highest paid of all tradespeople in the UK. In fact, in 2015 the average wage of an electrician rose to over £30k, making it the fastest growing pay-increase of any trade. Even newly qualified electricians can expect to earn £20k as a starting salary, making it an extremely attractive prospect for those looking to start out in the industry.

If you're thinking of becoming an Electrician, here are a few encouraging facts about the progress routes and earning opportunities presented by the trade:

You Have The Opportunity To Be Your Own Boss

Once you've completed your training and gained enough experience in the industry, there are a wealth of opportunities to go it alone and become your own boss, particularly if you've built a strong relationship with your customers. Electricians who are self employed tend to earn much more than those employed by others, although it's important to consider the costs that go with this, such as tool hire and insurance.

The More You Learn, The More You Earn

One of the main advantages of becoming an electrician, is that you will be able to improve your salary by adding new skills to your portfolio. Once you've completed your training or have been in the profession for a few years, it's worth your while to train in new areas so that you can complete a wider range of work. Gaining advanced inspection and testing skills can prove to be a huge advantage in this trade, and can even allow you to move up another pay grade. Qualifications like The City and Guilds 2394 and 2395, which we offer here at Access Training, can make a huge difference to your range of opportunities and your value as a skilled tradesperson, allowing you to take your career to the next level. After this, you could also move on to a more advanced course such as the 2396 Electrical Design Course, which allows you to become qualified in the planning aspects of electrical installation, making you a suitable candidate for management roles in the future.

Flexible Pay Options

Unlike certain professions, a career as an electrician offers a diverse range of pay options, from hourly/daily rates to opportunities for overtime. Hourly rates for an experienced electrician can range between £25 to £50, although it is often the case that a domestic installer will charge for work per day, with electricians usually earning between £200 and £300, with obvious increases in more prosperous areas. Due to the nature of the work, it's also common for projects to extend past their predicted lifespan, which means that opportunities for overtime should be available if you desire. Although the JIB discourages systematic overtime, it does not place restrictions in the case of breakdown and urgent repairs, providing you with opportunities to take on extra work as and when you want it.

To explore our full range of electrician courses and pave your way to a new, prosperous career, click here.

For more trade news and updates, follow us on Twitter.

Feb 201612

HomeServe Creates New Jobs for Plumbing and Gas Engineers

Mark

Only last week we announced that apprentice winner Joseph Valente was looking to expand his business, by recruiting gas engineers for his company Impra Gas. Following suit, HomeServe have also announced a swathe of new positions in their company, as they recently revealed their plans to take on over a 160 gas, plumbing and drainage engineers.

Last year the company managed to create a network of 600 plumbing, heating and drainage engineers, and are now looking to expand the business even further to provide coverage throughout the UK. It is certainly heartening to see such a large number of jobs being created in the sector, a figure which should only continue to grow over the coming years as new eco technologies come to the fore, bringing with them new installation requirements.

This is a great opportunity for the lucky candidates who are successful in their applications, as HomeServe were recently named 'Best Employer in Business Services and Supplies' in an independent employee survey. Their workers were asked to rate their job satisfaction based on a number of different factors, including whether or not they would recommend their current employer to a prospective candidate. It's clear from the results that the company recognize the importance of creating a positive working environment to provide the best service to their customers, demonstrating the level of job satisfaction individuals are able to achieve from a career in gas and plumbing.

With opportunities coming up left right and centre, it really is the perfect time to enrol on one of our plumbing courses, to strike while the iron's hot. As with any area, employers are particularly keen to take on multi-skilled engineers, which is why a programme like our Premier Plumbing Course could put you at a distinct advantage. Allowing you enter the trade as a qualified plumber and heating engineer, this course is ideal for individuals who wish to distinguish themselves from their fellow candidates once they have completed the course, and are able to seek full time employment. It will allow you to gain a keen grasp of plumbing work, but will also allow you to achieve multiple electrical and gas qualifications to join the Gas Safe Register, an essential requirement for any reputable company.

Of course if you are already a qualified gas engineer or electrician, we also offer a number of other plumbing courses, allowing to to add another skill to your portfolio and advance your career. For qualified plumbers looking to expand their skills within the sector, we also off a number of trade professional plumbing courses, which are ideal for individuals who are looking to offer the complete package in their services.

If you're interested in enrolling on one of our plumbing courses, or simply want to find out more, then get in touch with us today!

You can keep up with more industry news by following us on Twitter.

Jan 201612

Which Bricklaying Course is Right for You?

Mark bricklaying

Bricklaying can prove to be an invaluable skill to gain, whether you're looking to start a new career or simply to carry out your own work at home. Professional bricklayers are always in demand, as are multi-skilled tradespeople, which is why the courses we offer in this area are some of the most popular amongst our prospective candidates.

Whatever your skill level or end goal, we can match you to the course that's right for you, whether you're looking to undertake paid work or simply gain an understanding of how you can improve your home and garden without hiring a labourer.

If you're unsure about which of our courses is right for you, here are some guidelines to help you make your decision:

If you're looking to carry out work at home:

For complete beginners who want to learn bricklaying skills from scratch, our DIY Bricklaying Course provides the best possible introduction to the skill. Whilst equipping you with the correct skills and knowledge to undertake and oversee projects at home, it also provides a good foundation from which to branch out into other DIY and home improvement areas, such as plastering and tiling.

If you want to target specific areas and learn essential skills:

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced bricklayer who needs to update their skills, our Essential Bricklaying course can help you to identify and target your areas of interest. From mastering different bonds to inserting windows and lintels, this course will provide you with the practical knowledge to deal with a number of common brickwork jobs. Although this course is open to experienced bricklayers who are in need of retraining, those with little to no experience find that this course is more accessible than our more advanced options.

If you're looking to become a professional:

If you're looking to start a brand new career and require a thorough understanding of bricklaying, then our Professional Bricklaying course is the option for you. With state of the art facilities and some of the best success rates in the country, our academies are the perfect place to gain both practical experience and a through knowledge of bricklaying, in order to undertake paid work or progress to further qualifications.

To browse our full range of bricklaying courses click here, or get in touch with us today if you are in need of further guidance.