Qualified Electricians

[Michael Walsh]

I appreciate that this is not a classic D-I-Y question but from reading the regular posts on matters electrical I assume that there are some Electricians or related disciplines reading.

I am interested in qualifying as an electrician. Why you ask, because I have done much of the electrical theory during my Elec Eng Degree and I want to switch careers to one that gets me out of the city and still able to make a living. That and it is a subject that I have a basic knowlege of the pratical side also.

Are there ways to get C&G or equivalent qualifications as an electrician without going through the full apprenticeship route. I am too old to make tea for 2 years and cant afford to survive on minimum wage. Can I sit the theory exams for example and follow up with some installation and practical courses and exams.

[Colin Wilson]

Depending on where you are based, many of the regional electricity companies have a hankering for people with electrical engineering degrees

Scottish Power even have a special website somewhere for people with degrees looking for employment.

[Steven Briggs]

In message , Colin Wilson writes

Jeez, you'd think the bean counters had sacked all the Engineers at privatisation or something ;-)

[Harry Bloomfield]

Michael Walsh presented the following explanation :

You can go along to a college and just take the exams, rather than do the course plus exams, assuming you already know the subject. Talk to your local college.

However, even with the qualifications I suspect it may not be enough. The theory is just a small part of the equation and you would need to have several years of this to generally satisfy employers to take your on as being qualified and capable.

[Colin Wilson]

They had - that`s why they need to hire someone with a chance of knowing what they`re doing :-p