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!
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.
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Resettlement Courses

Have you considered an army resettlement course?  

 
If you've recently left or are thinking of leaving the Armed Forces, the prospect of choosing a new career path can be quite a daunting task. This is why Access Training strives to provide as much support and guidance for ex-military personnel as possible, helping them to retrain and revive their career prospects with our army resettlement courses.
 
Whether you have previous skills to build upon or are looking to start completely from scratch, we provide a huge variety of army resettlement courses which allow you to progress into a brand new career! In the past we have trained numerous ex-MoD personnel, allowing them to build on the valuable skills gained throughout their military career, while also providing them with the tools needed to master their new, chosen trade.
 
We have plenty of resettlement courses that will suit you, and they are particularly useful because of their flexibility. With Access Training you can learn at your own pace which allows you to maintain your responsibilities to family and other work. By completing the course (in whichever timeframe suits you best) you will be able to start a career with stability and opportunity. 
 
The Access Training company directors are also ex-military, as are several members of staff, which really does put this issue at the heart of our work. This provides us with the knowledge and understanding regarding your circumstances, making it easier for us to guide your transition. 
 
Whether you see yourself as a plumber, an electrician or a gas engineer, we provide first-class training in all of these areas, as well as many others! With such a variety of army resettlement courses to choose from, your eyes will be opened to the numerous options available to you, putting you on the right track to pursuing a profitable and stable career. 
 
For more information about our army resettlement courses, contact the Access Training team today. We are more than happy to help you find a course that best suits you and your circumstances so please don't hesitate to get in touch today. 

Earlier this week the Guardian posted an article titled "The Rise of white van woman". Reading through it you'll see that, while perhaps not the best written article around, it does reveal one very important point - more and more women are now taking up trades such as plumbing, electrics, carpentry, bricklaying and more.

According to a study of 10,000 tradespeople across the UK from IronmongeryDirect (reported in Professional Builder magazine), women now represent 5.7% of all working tradespeople - dispelling notions by coming in higher than the proportion of migrant workers in the UK (4.6%). In the grand scheme of things this might still seem like a small figure, but is still a big leap forward that lead to further gender equality in the trades.

The Guardian's article also notes that between 2011 and 2012, B&Q reported a 400% increase in the number of women enrolling in its skills workshops. During this time Britain was also going through its economic recession, and so many women who were losing their jobs were going on to set up their own businesses. The appeal of a more physical and rewarding trade career has caught on, with more and more women starting their own businesses and groups/magazines such as Women In Trade. WIC Wales and Stopcocks forming to give support. The supposed gender barriers are breaking down at long last, and this is nothing but a good thing.

And it seems customers have no qualms with female tradespeople either, making the noticeable gender segregation in the trades even more outdated and antiquated. At Access Training we welcome female tradespeople just as we do male, which is why our doors are open to people of all ages, background and gender. These things should make no difference in a person's drive to become a qualified tradesperson, and this is reflected in the training we offer. Each week we see more and more female trainers come through our doors, all of which go on to have successful businesses in their respective trades. For example - Sarah Chandler from Cardiff was working as an administrator before she decided to change her career into something more practical. After completing both a plumbing and multi-skills construction course with us, she has now set up her own business, SLC Home Improvements, and is never short of work.

Are you looking to start a brand new career as a qualified tradesperson? Covering plumbing, electrics, gas engineering, carpentry, bricklaying, plastering, tiling and painting/decorating, Access Training offers a wide range of expertise taught under one roof by an experienced teaching staff. To find out more about our courses and to book your place, please give our advice team a call on 0800 345 7492.

With all the reports about cowboy builders doing shoddy maintenance work and unregistered gas engineers making potentially fatal mistakes, is it any surprise that finding a trusted tradesperson is becoming a major problem across the UK? In fact, a recent survey from the HomeOwners Alliance and TrustMark has found over half of Britons are hesitant to do maintenance work on their homes because they have difficulty finding someone they feel they can trust.

This result then has a knock-on effect as to what said homeowners then do. While the 2014 Homeowner Survey found 12% won't do the work at all and 26% simply delay the project, a significant 40% then choose to do their own repairs/DIY. When it comes to certain trades, this could easily end up in injury or worse. Other statistics found were that 27% will only do essential works, while if forced 28% will use tradespeople they are uncertain about.

Only earlier this week Heating & Plumbing Monthly reported a plumber in Kidderminister is behind bars for 16 months after overcharging elderly and vulnerable customers up to 800% more for simple jobs. Among Mr Steven Greenaway's misdeeds were:

  • Charging one elderly woman in Cradley Heath £1527 to repair a leak on her toilet and replace the cistern - a job averaging around £200 to do
  • Charging a Dudley pensioner £500 to unblock a toilet, then proceeding a charge her a further £780 after claiming the kitchen tap needed work
  • Charging a mother and daughter £1000 to repair a dripping tap - money that they had been saving for a holiday
  • Charging a Worcester couple £1,200 to repair a leak on a radiator valve - leaving them feeling "like they had been mugged"
  • Charging another Worcester couple more than £800 for work to repair a stop tap that should have only cost around £120
  • And as a final insult, he even advertised DISCOUNT rates for pensioners in Yellow Pages adverts

This piece isn't just meant to point the finger at these frauds who give a bad name to tradespeople everywhere, its also to show trainees how much better they can be. You don't need to con the elderly to make a healthy wage nor do you have to pretend to have qualifications - all you need is proper training and not only will you actually have the qualifications to your name, you'll also be able to make the money honestly. And as positive word of mouth about your business grows, so will those interested.

It all starts with getting the right training, and no matter which trade you're planning to persue a career in Access Training can help. From plumbing and gas to electrical, carpentry, plastering and more, our state-of-the-art centre and experienced tutors will take you from the level of absolute beginner all the way up to becoming a fully trained professional. To find out more about the courses we offer here at Access and how you can change your life with a brand new career, give us a call on 0800 345 7492 or by filling in the enquiry form found on this website. One of our course advice team will soon be in touch.

The BPEC Charity is once again taking nominations for its Life Award programme, which offers a grant of up to £15,000 to those with plans of improving others' lives using their plumbing skills.

Last year £30,000 was given to four projects which ranged from developing a safe water system to a health clinic in Mozambique, apprentice plumbers working alongside a village community in Uganda to build drinking water wells and similar safe drinking water work in Nicaragua. A little closer to home, the charity also gave money toward the development of a virtual plumbing college online to support students and teachers alike. Regular updates on these projects can be found on the Life Award's progress blog

There are three separate opportunities for financial support over each year which are open to ALL who are working in the UK plumbing industry, whether you are self-employed, a tutor or even an apprentice. These are the BPEC Life Award, the BPEC Support Fund and the BPEC Sport Awards.

The BPEC Charity, also known as BPEC (Training) Ltd, was re launched in 2012 with the strapline of "re-investing in our industry". The charity's focus is to raise the knowledge and skills of those working in the UK Plumbing and Heating industry. It also provides the opportunity to offer support to those who would like to pursue a career in the industry, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. More about its vision, mission and values can be seen HERE.

You can register to find out more about the Life Award. The deadline for entries is the 31st July.

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Access Training's bespoke plumbing courses are BPEC accredited, a sure sign of the quality of learning we offer students. If you are interested in gaining the necessery qualifications to become a plumber, our experienced teaching staff are ready and waiting to help you. To find out more give us a call on 0800 345 7492.

Part P Changes

In 2013, the Government made important changes to Part P of the Building Regulations. These are the regulations that ensure that all fixed electrical installations in domestic dwellings are suitably designed, installed, inspected and tested to provide reasonable protection against becoming a source or fire or a cause of injury to persons.

These changes to the Part P of the Building Regulations consisted of two principel modifications, the first of which reduces the range of electrical installation work that needs to be notified. Previously, electrical work undertaken in kitchens (such as adding a new socket) or gardens (installing security lights) were among the work you'd need to be Part P qualified to perform without having to notify an inspector. However now these tasks will no longer be notifiable unless a new circuit is required.

There are three main areas where electrical work will still be notifiable due to Part P of the Building Regulations, and these are:

  • Any work involving the installation of a new circuit
  • The replacement of any consumer unit
  • Any addition or alteration to existing circuits in a special location
In this instance, "special location" can mean two things, the first of which is any room containing a swimming pool or sauna heater. Secondly, it is any room containing a bath or shower, where the space surrounding a bath tap or shower head extends vertically from the finished floor level to a height of 2.25m, or 2.25m from where the shower head is attached. This can also apply horizontally, where the bathtub or shower tray has a distance of 0.6m. Alternatively, where there is no bath tub or shower tray from the centre point of the shower head where it is attached to the wall or ceiling to a distance of 1.2m.
 
The second part of these changes to the Part P of the building regulations relates to the use of a registered third party to certify notifiable work. Previously, any electrician undertaking work that fell under Part P not registered with a competent persons' scheme was required to notify their local authority's building control. They would then send out an independent inspector who would determine if the work was acceptable.
 
However, these changes mean that electricians not registered with a competent persons' scheme have to get their work signed off by a registered third party. For more information, visit the official Government Part P document.
 
Are you looking to become Part P qualified? Not only will this enable you to register with a competent persons' scheme and allow you to self-certify your own work (saving you hundreds of pounds), but could also potentially provide you with a whole new area of work when the third party approval system is finalised. Here at Access Training we offer a wide range of electricial courses, including specific Part P Training. If you would like to find out more, give us a call on 0800 345 7492.

how to find a plumber you can trust

We’ve all heard those scary stories about ’cowboy’ builders, plumbers and contractors who overcharge homeowners and leave their property in disarray after a seemingly simple job. Although they’re rare, it’s still important to ensure that your plumbing job is performed by a trustworthy professional who is qualified and will give you a reliable service at a fair price.

 

So, how can you find a plumber you can trust?

Ask for referrals

Start by asking your friends and family who they use for plumbing services in the local area and whether they had a positive experience. By contacting someone who’s trusted by friends and family (preferably that you also know), you’re much more likely to avoid disreputable plumbers. Also, be sure to request references from prospective plumbers; if they don’t possess a portfolio of satisfied customers, then it may be worth looking elsewhere.

 

Use online directories

Platforms like Yelp, Checkatrade and Google My Business can be a quick and easy way to find good local plumbers and read customer reviews.

 

Get a written quote

It may sound simple, but a good, trusted, trained plumber will have no problem providing a written quote for the work he’s about to undertake. If your selected plumber scribbles a quote on a note or will only offer a verbal agreement, it’s not worth the hassle. You can also then use this written estimate to compare with other plumbers in the area - but beware of extremely low prices as these may indicate potential issues with quality or hidden costs.

 

Check their qualifications

Plumbers of any repute will have a recognised plumbing qualification that shows they have the core competencies to get your job done quickly and effectively. To ensure your plumber is legally qualified for the job, always ask to see their ID and registration before hiring them.

 

Ask for insurance policies

A trusted plumber will have an insurance policy that will protect both you and them in the event of anything going wrong, so don’t start working with someone who doesn’t have one.

 

Tell others

And don’t forget, you have the capability to stop cowboy plumbers yourself by letting other people know of better tradesmen elsewhere. If your plumber is friendly, flexible and competent, then be sure to tell your friends, who will be far more likely to use them rather than an untrustworthy scammer.

 

Do you want to become a trustworthy plumber? Get qualified with Access Training and check out our range of plumbing courses.

To find out more or to book your place, use the button below to contact Access Training today!

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PAGE UPDATED 24 FEBRUARY 2025

Did you know that most plumbing jobs can solved with relative ease at home without having to use a professional plumber? And while larger work should still be carried out by professionals who have been trained on a top plumbing course, being aware of how to mend more menial matters will certainly save you money in the long run.

Here’s a list of the five most common plumbing problems – and how you can fix them:

1.    Dripping taps

Perhaps the issue of the dripping tap is the most common problem in plumbing. And while it’s seen as a relatively minor problem that can easily be ignored, if left too long it can result in high water bills. The most common solution to a faulty faucet is to replace the worn or broken washer inside, but sometimes you may need new taps. Worry not, even these can be simply installed without having to consult someone who’s been on a plumbing course – just remember to switch the water off first!

2.    Bunged-up drains

Drains are designed to allow water to flow through, but occasionally larger items can find their way down and block the passage, especially in kitchen sinks where leftover food can become a problem.

The powerful suction provided by a humble plunger can often break a block’s resistance, or if that doesn’t work, try unscrewing the fixture under your sink and cleaning it out. But hold your breath – it may smell…

3.    Blocked bogs

One of the most dreaded of plumbing’s complications, and similar to a clogged drain, where waste (all together now: eeeeuuuwww) builds up and causes a blocked toilet. Again, a plunger is your friend, and if that doesn’t work use a sewer snake (not a real one), which is a device that can wind through a toilet’s U-bend and push the problem far, far away.

4.    Broken water boiler

We all need hot water, and it can be awful when a boiler breaks. But before contacting a professional who’s trained on a plumbing course, test your boiler’s pipes and connections to the rest of the house. You may find the problem can be solved simply and without great expense by replacing a broken part.

5.    Leaky pipes

Often, when your pipes spring a leak it’s because one has been knocked out of place. By tightening the affected joint, you may be able to solve the problem. Or, if that doesn’t work and there’s an actual hole in your pipe causing leakage, you may need to replace the pipe.

Are you interested in becoming a plumber? Here at Access Training we offer plumbing courses that cater for all levels of ability, whatever your background and whatever your goals. To learn more about our flexible plumbing course please speak to one of our friendly advisors today on 0800 345 7492.

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