My Son Wants To Retrain As An Electrician.

[lilypoppyfre]

The college option is 1 or 2 days tuition for the first year. The training takes 4 years altogether. Is that the only solution ? He had hoped to go on an intensive course for a few weeks, and then seek an apprenticeship.

He did enrol on another course ( plastering ) whilst waiting for the electrician one...to be told that the course had been cancelled, due to no takers..so the september option of the electrical course,
might not happen.....I thought those courses would be oversubscribed......there a lot of unemployed young people on benefits...

is there any fast track ....anywhere ? I am bemused......

[black_cat51]

if he wants an apprenticship, why does he need a course?

[Buenchico]

Perhaps a traineeship, leading to an apprenticeship?
http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/be-an-apprentice.aspx

[LCDMAN]

No genuine fast track option. I trained as an electrician for 3 years back in the 80s. Day release for my City & Guilds qualifications whilst getting actual on the job experience. No substitute for doing it this, the proper, way. I'm sorry to say most of us time-served sparks regard the intensive, 4 week "jobbers" a bunch of poorly trained and ill-equipped cowboys :-) But then we do get lots of work putting right all the crap (and often dangerous) jobs they do!

As asked above - why the need for a "course" if he's going for an apprenticeship? That will give him the correct training and qualification....

[boxtops]

Why doesn't he contact some of the local electrical firms, and ask if they will take him on as an apprentice, and enrol him in the appropriate training to do so? If he's eligible, the Government is still offering funding to employers for apprenticeships.

[lilypoppyfre]

many thanks for all your replies.....I clarify some facts....the college offers i or 2 days tuition the first year.; then, the second year, you are send to put some theory in practice, with a qualified electrician and supervised by the college...with the following 2 years with more theory and practice. .....since my son must work whilst studying, he would have welcome to do some block theory the first year.....as it is, the college cannot confirm that the course will run, even less the days of attendance.....which makes working full-time somewhat difficult.....even as a part-time worker , he needs to know (and let his employers know ) when he will attend the college.....he is well aware that there is no short-cut to the profession but since an apprenticeship is difficult to get, he wanted to make a start...thank you to Buenchico for the link....that IS the best answer

[Jeza]

Back in the 70's my brother trained as an electrician it took 5 years then.

[tonyav]

It was the same for my brother as well, Jeza, a five year apprenticeship.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

He could enrol for 3 evenings a week and work in the day..as a labourer with a contractor.The fast trackers are ok as plastic electricians unless they are well gifted in the brains dept.Many fail if their maths skills are blunt.It took me 6 years in the classroom...but if he just wants to do houses he should do it in 3.