Thinking About Electrical & Part P Courses?

Electricity is one of life's essentials in the modern world. Both commercially and domestically we need good electricians. Essentially the work involves installing, maintaining and testing electrical systems, equipment and appliances under strict safety regulations. A report compiled by the Summit Skills showed that in 2009 there were a total of 613,000 people employed in the electrical industry in the United Kingdom. It could be a very good decision to bite the bullet and start your electrical training now!

Will I Be Able To Do It?

You might wonder whether electrical work will suit you. You'll need to be a hands on, practical sort of person who's good with tools. Systematic attention to detail is necessary in order to comply with safety guidelines.

It's not uncommon for electrical workers to spend much of their time alone, so you must be content with your own company. You should be reasonably fit, as some of the work can be physically demanding. And in the end, if being your own boss is your goal, you should be determined and positive!

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Even if you're an absolute beginner, you can be up and running in several months time with the right training and application. Yet many people find it hard to know who is best to train with, and which courses to take.

That's why we've compiled an impartial report to help you understand. This is free to download, and tells you all you need to know about the different training paths into industry. As there's such a variety of training companies and courses available, you'll find it an invaluable read.

Once you've downloaded it, allow some time to give it your full attention. When you understand what you're after, get back onto this webpage and check out some of the course options offered by companies featured here. If you Bookmark this webpage by keying in Ctrl D you'll be able to get back to it instantly.

Get Your Own Business Off The Ground

One reason many people retrain to become electricians is because they want to become self-employed. Most newly qualified adult electrical workers choose to either work for themselves, or on a contract basis.

It's not surprising when you look at the amount of work in the domestic market in particular. Of course, some just want the qualifications so they can earn a second income part-time. Others want the skills and legal qualifications to do more of their own DIY. As you might expect, a good deal of your domestic work can come from client recommendations. So you'll be costing yourself money if you're not well mannered and considerate to everyone you deal with.

Commercially employed electricians will usually work a 37 - 40 hour week, with possible overtime at the weekends. For that, they will typically be paid approximately 26,000pa. However, self-employed electrical workers operating in the domestic market can expect to earn more, but may well have to offer more flexibility in their working hours. Of course, anyone running their own business has to cover their costs as well, though these shouldn't be too extensive.

Choosing The Ideal Training Path For You

The main recognised trade certification bodies in the UK are City & Guilds and EAL. Most young people entering the industry straight from school will study for C&G qualifications along with corresponding NVQ's. In all this type of training takes a number of years to complete.

Those who are more mature usually prefer to do shorter training courses part-time alongside their existing jobs. These courses don't include NVQ assessments, because the trainees are mostly focused on household work. Various training routes are offered by commercial colleges that will quickly lead to industry recognised qualifications. This still allows students to meet the legal trade requirements, just in a narrower field over a shorter period of time.

What's Involved In Such A Course?

Probably a good place to start would be on a course that prepares you for your EAL level 2 Domestic Electrical Installer. Teaching will comprise of all the wiring fundamentals and safety practices. As everyone carrying out domestic electrical work now has to be Part P certified, your training will give you an understanding of what's needed.

A second essential qualification from C&G is the 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations. Other short C&G courses will give you more opportunities. If you include the Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations you can register with NICEIC and inspect, test and certify industrial and commercial installations as well as domestic ones.

You should find a typical domestic electrical training programme takes between 300 hours and 400-500 hours, and is a mixture of home study and workshop assessments. Training will give you confidence and ultimately success - as you'll never be stuck for work with such in-demand skills.