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Electrical / Electrician Apprenticeships
Obtaining an electrical apprenticeship is a great way to start a career as an electrician in the UK. You’ll gain valuable experience in real-world situations that will give you an edge when looking for your first paid job in the industry. Working under a trained electrician during your electrical apprenticeship will also give you confidence that you’re getting the best education you can get, and is more likely to help you pass the electrical qualifications that you will need to have.
Electrical Apprenticeships : Finding a Position
One way to get an apprenticeship within the electrical industry is to send a letter to a person or company you’ve identified as a potential employer. You want to show potential employers that you are reliable, dedicated and ready to work hard during your electrician apprenticeship. Along with the letter, include a CV that emphasizes your best qualities. The CV should include information such as any part time jobs you’ve had in the past. A career counsellor at your college can help you put this together and ensure that it sounds professional. Call the potential employer a few days after they receive the letter to follow up. This will show that you’re motivated, genuinely interested and ready to get started.
How can you locate these electrical employers to begin with? There are several ways. Start by asking anyone you know who has electrical qualifications or who works in the industry for referrals. What if you don’t know anyone? Browse the phone book, the Internet or call a local union and ask for contact information. You may be surprised at how willing some of the experts are to share their knowledge. While you are asking about possible electrical apprenticeships, you could gain a valuable mentor along the way.
As soon as you’ve secured an employer, contact your local college to get a spot in the required coursework for obtaining the electrical qualifications needed. They may guide you towards City and Guilds or NVQ qualifications, but don’t rely on your employer to contact the school; they don’t always remember and spaces fill in quickly.
Electrical Apprenticeships : Qualifications
The qualifications for electrical apprenticeships are usually:
• NVQ Level 3 Installing and Commissioning Electrotechnical Systems
• City & Guilds 2351 Level 3 Technical Certificate
• Key Skills at Level 2
You also must have a minimum of four GCSE’s with grades of C or above. These should include science, math, English, and a craft related subject. You may also be considered if you have other minimum Level 2 qualifications or their equivalents under the National Qualification Framework.
Electrical Apprenticeships : Training
Programs that offer electrical apprenticeships typically take about 4 years to complete from start to finish. The different stages of apprenticeship training vary depending on whether you apprentice through a college, directly under an electric company or in the private sector. They commonly include a first stage in which you attend college and gain your electrical qualifications while also assisting trained electrical staff on-site.
In the second stage, you learn advanced theories at college about 20% of the time while getting on-the-job training the remaining 80%. In the third stage, you’ll begin to carry out your on-site tasks with less direct supervision, working independently. In the final stage, you’ll show your abilities to plan and execute a range of tasks completely on your own. Once you achieve the NVQ level 3 and pass trade tests your electrical apprenticeship will be complete.
Gaining the electrical qualifications you need for a great career in this industry will take dedication and determination. The electrical internships available are a great way to get the needed support that will help you achieve your goal.