Help To Become An Apprentice Electrician (UK)

The Training

The most popular way to becoming an electrician is by means of an apprenticeship.

Electrician apprenticeships take between 3 and 4 years.

Years 1 to 3 will include ‘day-release’ to study for the Level 3 NVQ in Electrotechnical Services.

Year 4 objectives are:

· Complete an NVQ Level 3 ‘Log Book’ to show practical competency in electrical work.

· Pass the AM2 Practical test. The AM2 Practical test is a ‘classroom test’ of apprentice’s practical electrical work.

An apprentice electrician usually needs a GCSE in maths, English and a science subject.

Apprentice Qualities

The qualities an apprentice needs can be split into two groups:

· Technical qualities.

· Personal qualities.

Technical qualities:

· Basic knowledge of electrical appliances and how they work for instance what is an RCD?

· Practical electrical knowledge for instance how do you wire a plug? How does electricity get from the power station to the house? How does electricity flow around a house?

· Knowledge of the types of work an electrician does for instance what is PAT testing? Electrical test and inspection?

Personal qualities:

· Can you work on your own initiative? Most electricians work without direct supervision.

· Can you follow instructions? Electricians often work to plans and drawings or verbal instructions from the customer.

· Are you friendly and outgoing? Many electricians work in close contact with the customer or other trades people.

· Can you learn? The electrical world is constantly changing; electricians often need to update their skills. Apprentice electricians must complete much classroom work.

· Do you have an eye for detail? Electrical work is precise with no room for mistakes.

The Interview – All Companies

The question most interviewers ask themselves is ‘why should I employ this person as opposed to the 30 other people I am interviewing?’

Ask yourself these questions:

· What personal and technical skills do I have that other people don’t?

· What have I done that makes me stand out as a candidate?

· Why am I better than the other 30 candidates?

· Why should the company invest time and money in me?

· Why am I a better bet than the other 30 candidates?

· What have I done in the past that shows I am good electrician material?

The interviewer will be trying to answer these questions, ensure you provide the answers.

You should also show:

· You know about the company.

· You are reliable.

· You can be trusted.

· Becoming an electrician is what you really want to do.

The Interview – Small Companies

Many apprentice electrician jobs are with small companies that do not have a training department that deals with apprentices.

Many small company owners do not know the details of apprenticeship schemes, for instance what local colleges do day-release or what Government grants are available.

Make it easy for a small company to employ you, find out the practical details for the employer. If two candidates have the same qualities the employer will employ the person who makes it easiest to employ them. Ensure that you can say to the employer ‘Here’s all the information you need. Don’t worry about organising anything, I will do that’.

Do you have:

· The details of local day-release courses?

· Application forms?

· Details of Government grants and support?

· The costs and benefits of employing an apprentice?

You only have to be an inch bigger to stand out in a crowd; do everything to be that little bit better than everyone else.

Links

Electrical Test And Inspection

PAT Testing

Services Offered By Judge Electrical

Advice & Help – Domestic Electrical Faults

RCDs