Change of job?

[JAMdisco]

As some of you will know, I currently work in IT for a manufacturing company.

However, changes are a-foot - the company I work for are currently being bought out by an (as yet) unknown company. This could swing either way, good or bad but as I'm getting a little despondent with the job I am looking at other options, one of which is an electrician!!!

I know at 40 a complete change of trade may seem drastic but it's something I really want to do, I cannot work in IT for the next 25-30 years - it'd drive me crazy and to say I hate my job would be an understatement.

I've looked at various courses and it seems to get the required skills and qualifications is going to cost around £6k mark - obviously this can be paid monthly by direct debit etc. but still seems a lot.

The course takes approx 12-18 months to complete and also covers PAT testing, domestic electrical installer and also lots of business advice on setting up etc. sounds very thorough.

Do you think this is a good move and has anyone done anything like this (the courses I mean) and has it really helped you move on? By the way, I will still run the disco business provided I still have the time to do it.

Sorry for ranting on, just could do with some impartial advice really...Cheers

[Jonathan Ford]

It's never too late to do something new. As long as you can live while you're working to achieve whatever you decide to do, and you have the support of your family, then I'd be inclined to go for it. At 33 I started a 5 year course...anything is possible.

One of the key factors in my decision was an experience my Dad had. He worked in a foundry for years, and though it was well paid, he absolutely hated it. He took a course (not sure what it was - it was the late 80's) in sales and marketing, which he passed with flying colours, and he was subsequently offered an equally well paid sales job with a national company. However, he chose not to take it, preferring to "play it safe"...and regretted it until he retired. My take is that with all things being equal, I'd rather try something, and find I can't do it or it's not for me, than regret having never tried at all. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[JAMdisco]

Cheers Jonathan, some good advice there.

In hindsight, this thread may have been better in the 'MDD Chat' section (more eyes) so mods, can you please move this?

Thanks.

[Corabar Entertainment]

Done ;)

[JAMdisco]

Done ;)

Wow, speedy or what? - cheers Angela :)

[Jason]

I totally sympathise!
Been doing similar work for a few year, well paid, now a product development manager.
Not really doing any "real" work, just fighting fires and trying to be a barrier between my staff and anyone else.

I enjoy the DJ work, the music, the gear, meeting people.. Its doubtful I'll replace my salary (which I've grown to use!).

Also feel stuck in a rut.. but painfully aware of a few friends on min wage (I've been there too) or out of work (also been there).

Also 40... I hate to think I'm having a mid-life crisis!!! lol


Best of luck!

[CRAZY K]

As some of you will know, I currently work in IT for a manufacturing company.

However, changes are a-foot - the company I work for are currently being bought out by an (as yet) unknown company. This could swing either way, good or bad but as I'm getting a little despondent with the job I am looking at other options, one of which is an electrician!!!

I know at 40 a complete change of trade may seem drastic but it's something I really want to do, I cannot work in IT for the next 25-30 years - it'd drive me crazy and to say I hate my job would be an understatement.

I've looked at various courses and it seems to get the required skills and qualifications is going to cost around £6k mark - obviously this can be paid monthly by direct debit etc. but still seems a lot.

The course takes approx 12-18 months to complete and also covers PAT testing, domestic electrical installer and also lots of business advice on setting up etc. sounds very thorough.

Do you think this is a good move and has anyone done anything like this (the courses I mean) and has it really helped you move on? By the way, I will still run the disco business provided I still have the time to do it.

Sorry for ranting on, just could do with some impartial advice really...Cheers

Well if you are becoming a qualified Electrician with meaningful qualifications allowing you to be an NIC type Contractor and could be self employed sounds like theres plenty of potential---these days you can hardly do any electrical work yourself around the house unless you are qualified--so providing you feel theres potential go for it--you may not waste too much time on the Marketing side--as a self employed DJ you probably already have considerable experience in this area.

I made a major career change at 40 and it worked out very well.;)

Sometimes you have to think like the Cowboy who said--im getting left trailing in the dust here :daft:

[Tom]

Would it not be best to go to college and do evening classes? Im sure it would be cheaper than 6k, but it does take a little longer.

I myself am doing my level 3 in electrical installation. Got a load of exams coming up soon, (one this thursday actually) but hope to pass them all. Just things are getting hard now. :(

If you do domestic, and say you are a qualified spark, and you work on new build installations, they will expect you and a mate to wire a house in day, maybe a bit more than that. Seen some real has jobs from people who are supposed to be approved electricians. Guess I just got pride in my work. But like all jobs you get the cowboys, but electricians are quite poorly paid. I was always told to become a plumber. Should of listened. lol.

I myself work fora firm who mainly do industrial and commercial work. So much more interesting. I think this might be more interesting to you instead of domestic work. Get to speak to clients who want to spend big money (depends if you work self employed or with a company and be on the books) which means constant work and more variety of work for you.

Just my 2p from being in the trade. :)

[discomobiledj]

Don't forget aswell with the leccy career you'll more than likely have to "update" yourself each year when the new edition becomes available.

[Excalibur]

Not really much help to you mate, especially as it's nothing to do with sparkies, but a career change was forced upon me over ten years ago. I was made redundant from a job I would have continued indefinitely ( but one which was growing increasingly difficult to reconcile with the disco). I went self employed, and in many ways it has been a Godsend.( In others it's not been quite so wonderful ). I'd strongly recommend you have a chat with your accountant, and see what he says. Good luck.

[JAMdisco]

Would it not be best to go to college and do evening classes? Im sure it would be cheaper than 6k, but it does take a little longer.

If you do domestic, and say you are a qualified spark, and you work on new build installations, they will expect you and a mate to wire a house in day, maybe a bit more than that. Seen some real has jobs from people who are supposed to be approved electricians. Guess I just got pride in my work. But like all jobs you get the cowboys, but electricians are quite poorly paid. I was always told to become a plumber. Should of listened. lol.



I don't think I'll have the time to do night classes at college, I'd like to be fully qualified in around 12-18 months so college is out of the question really.

I also thought about a plumbing course but my main concern is that most competent DIYers (like myself) will 'have a go' at reasonably easy jobs around the home. I did 2 bathrooms and a kitchen myself and also the worst that can happen is you get wet. With electrical work the repercussions can be a lot worse i.e. fatal :eek:


Don't forget aswell with the leccy career you'll more than likely have to "update" yourself each year when the new edition becomes available.

It's not every year, they bring out a new edition around every 6-8 years - currently on edition 18 (I think) and yes I realise I would need refresher training every several years.

Some good advice though and like I said, it's gonna be around 6 months before I can afford to do it (holiday is already booked and I need to pay off the balance soon and then save for spending money). After that I should be around £200 a month better off (not including extra from disco's) so I shall be looking to start sometime around August/September.

[edit] Just for reference, this is the course I'm considering: http://www.train4tradeskills.com/electrician-course.html

[Tom]

I don't think I'll have the time to do night classes at college, I'd like to be fully qualified in around 12-18 months so college is out of the question really.

I also thought about a plumbing course but my main concern is that most competent DIYers (like myself) will 'have a go' at reasonably easy jobs around the home. I did 2 bathrooms and a kitchen myself and also the worst that can happen is you get wet. With electrical work the repercussions can be a lot worse i.e. fatal :eek:



It's not every year, they bring out a new edition around every 6-8 years - currently on edition 18 (I think) and yes I realise I would need refresher training every several years.

Some good advice though and like I said, it's gonna be around 6 months before I can afford to do it (holiday is already booked and I need to pay off the balance soon and then save for spending money). After that I should be around £200 a month better off (not including extra from disco's) so I shall be looking to start sometime around August/September.

[edit] Just for reference, this is the course I'm considering: http://www.train4tradeskills.com/electrician-course.html

The current BS7671 is the 17th edition amendment 1 which came in to first Jan 2012. You will need this as well as the new green on-site guide as the exams for level 3 will require you to use both the bs7671 and the on site guide for written exams. Can get both books for around £80 off amazon. Not to bad but enough money anyway.I wonder when they are going to bring out amendment 2 or 18th edition. Such a money maker. lol

As for the course your looking at, I tried one of those places. I had a bloke come round, gave me a load of info, signed up, took a finance deal with a bank through them, they took my 12k and the business "suddenly" went in to administration and liquidation. Still paying it off now and don't finish till the end of 2013. This might not happen but do your research. :)


Also the only downside I see to these quick courses is that you don't actually get any real practical experience. All well and good learning stuff in a shop or at class, but putting that in to practice can be tricky.

Please don't feel that I'm knocking you for looking at a short type course, but I'v been training for 3 years now with going to college for 2 years, 6 hours a week and I still have so much to learn. Not quite sure how they can manage to fit so much info that you need to know and learn in such a short space of time. :)

[JAMdisco]

The current BS7671 is the 17th edition amendment 1 which came in to first Jan 2012. You will need this as well as the new green on-site guide as the exams for level 3 will require you to use both the bs7671 and the on site guide for written exams. Can get both books for around £80 off amazon. Not to bad but enough money anyway.I wonder when they are going to bring out amendment 2 or 18th edition. Such a money maker. lol

As for the course your looking at, I tried one of those places. I had a bloke come round, gave me a load of info, signed up, took a finance deal with a bank through them, they took my 12k and the business "suddenly" went in to administration and liquidation. Still paying it off now and don't finish till the end of 2013. This might not happen but do your research. :)


Also the only downside I see to these quick courses is that you don't actually get any real practical experience. All well and good learning stuff in a shop or at class, but putting that in to practice can be tricky.

Please don't feel that I'm knocking you for looking at a short type course, but I'v been training for 3 years now with going to college for 2 years, 6 hours a week and I still have so much to learn. Not quite sure how they can manage to fit so much info that you need to know and learn in such a short space of time. :)

Thanks for the advice. The training company I'm looking at has been going for around 10 years so I reckon it's pretty legit. Also, after completing the home based theory (2 sections) there is a 4 week workshop training centre separated into four weekly sessions so plenty of 'hands-on' training. They also provide a £200 voucher to buy discounted tools - I know this won't buy very much but it's a start.

Yes you're correct, it is the 17th edition at the moment and I think they're looking to update to the 18th edition in a few years (the guy that came to see me said probably in around 4-5 years). I think the PAT testing will come in useful too - that'll save me a few bob and also potential to earn extra money to boost my income. I'm looking forward to it but need to get my holiday out of the way first :)

oh, and good luck with your exams :D