Training To Be An Electrician

[ZebbyUK]

I'm 43 and really want to do something else with my life.

I live in the southwest and have no idea where to start. Is anyone able to offer some advice please?

[Buenchico]

Let's start with some basic information:
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/electrician

Clicking through from that website takes you here:
http://electricalcareers.co.uk/career_option/installation-electrician/

There's an important note of caution there:
"An apprenticeship is the usual entry route into the industry – by doing an apprenticeship you’ll gain the NVQ Level 3 qualification that’s most widely used and recognised by the industry.

[i]Short courses are available, but they tend to be of most use to existing electricians. They are very unlikely to be accepted by an employer if you’re new to the industry[i]"

So, while you shouldn't necessarily give up on your ambition, you need to be realistic: it's going to be tough breaking into the industry if you've not come through an apprenticeship.

If you still want to try, your next step will be to find a college in your area that offers suitable courses. (What's 'suitable' for one person might not be right for someone else; it depends, in part, upon whether you've got enough financial resources to leave full-time employment for a while so that you can embark upon full-time education or whether you can only consider evening classes).

For example, there are various courses available in Bristol
http://www.cityofbristol.ac.uk/courses/construction/electrical-installation/
(Post again, giving us a more accurate indication of where you live, if you need more help searching for courses)

[Tuvok]

Try your local college.

[albaqwerty]

what do you do now? What interests you?

Local college as had been mentioned would be a good place to ask.

[RobNorth]

Try for a job as an electrician's mate and study part-time for qualifications. This is the best route as an adult, because when you are a certified electrician you will know the game and won't feel like a fish out of water....
And remember, the most important thing about "black boxes" is that they remain airtight - I've always found that if the smoke gets out they never work again.

[Davemano]

Don't confuse the Blue and the Brown or you could finish up in the 'Earth'

[ZebbyUK]

Thanks for the replies :)

I'm just on the outskirts of Exeter in Devon.

Right now I'm a delivery driver but I've recently been teaching myself electronics as I collect retro comnputers (Commodore 64, Amiga, Spectrum, Amstrad etc.) and getting them recapped and/or repaired by someone else costs money so I decided to teach myself how to do it and have bought loads of gear and loving it.

I inherited a house which I'm going to rent out and out of everything that I've been doing on it, the electrics is one thing I really like the idea of learning to do myself.

[Quoi]

have a quick look here

https://www.logic4training.co.uk/blog/electrical/become-an-electrician/

[Eleena]

10, that's the funniest thing! Couldn't stop laughing.