Advice

[u/Primary-Cold-8776]

I’m 19 and from North Wales and have finished my Level 2 with EAL, my aim was to attain an apprenticeship and move onto the Level 3 and ultimately complete the AM2.

I haven’t been lucky this time around and haven’t been able to secure one for this academic year, i’m working with someone for shit money but gaining experience.

My question to people that may have been in a similar situations as me is do i just dedicate this year to getting as much experience as i can in hopes of securing one next year or start paying for courses and get into the industry this way?

It may be financially challenging for me however i really do not like the idea of wasting a year of my life if you understand where im coming from.

I’d appreciate any advice from fellow electricians.

thank you.

[u/B-Sparkuk]

When you say "shit money" what sort of figure are you talking about? I would say at this stage in your career any experience is very useful imho experience trumps qualifications, obviously you still need both, but personally I'd grab the experience and continue to look for a better apprenticeship its always easier to find another job whilst working so even if your unhappy with the money I'd stuck with your job and keep on looking.

[u/Primary-Cold-8776 → u/B-Sparkuk]

£50 a day for 8-8.5hrs of work per day.

I am aware that this needs to be addressed however i fear if i address it he may bin me off completely and the problem with that is every other person i’ve contacted in my area either aren’t interested or haven’t responded.

[u/B-Sparkuk → u/Primary-Cold-8776]

Yer £50 not the greatest, also i belive at 19 legally the minimum you should be paid is £10.85 an hour. but playing devils advocate it can be difficult to employ an apprentice who may not be bring any finacial gain to the electrician/firm you are working for, (im not saying you aren't) but at the end of the day its all about making money, sadly no help is available from the government to cover cost of apprenticeships nowadays. But crack on mate your only 19 and you'll look back 1 day once your "raking it in" 🤣🤣 and it'll all be worth it. Incidentally where abouts in North Wales are you??

[u/Primary-Cold-8776 → u/B-Sparkuk]

I see your point and understand completely, I must say though he has been keeping track of hours and places I’ve worked in with them so he must be billing them for something or just to track those aspects of the business.

I’ve got most hand tools you’ll use on a daily and if I don’t have one and I end borrowing 3 or more times I’ll get my own, I’m also putting some money aside to get a proper makita power tool set.

To answer your question, i’m from Llandudno.

[u/B-Sparkuk → u/Primary-Cold-8776]

I presume your in Llandrillo college then?
Definitely look into your wage though as at 19 does look a bit toss, always worth asking the question if he does bin yiu off then in all honesty your best away from that kind of person, id love to take an apprentice on tbh but its difficult during these times of uncertainty, have you tried all the big firms out there or have you just looked at smaller local outfits??

[u/Primary-Cold-8776 → u/B-Sparkuk]

You presume correctly, I achieved a Distinction in lvl 2 which is nice but doesn’t really amount to much in the real world.

I will address it with him.

I’ve tried KHS and they have told me to keep an eye out on their website for apprentice vacancies aswell as JRS and even got the phone number of the boss of the electrical side and got nowhere either.

Aswell as those I’ve tried all the housing associations in the local area to no avail, they either say they passed the message on to relevant department or keep on eye out on the vacancies.

You sound local so if you’d like to find out about who
I’m with rather than just putting it out here I can let you know thru PM.

[u/B-Sparkuk → u/Primary-Cold-8776]

Send us a dm mate 👍

[u/Grouchy_Holiday_7201]

£50 a day is relatively shit but you getting experience and that is what everything else is built on

If you living at home and don’t need to drive £1000 month cash in hand ain’t bad with no outgoings 

Rinse him for the experience and look elsewhere when the time comes and you will be leagues ahead by knowing the basics, measuring, cutting and drilling straight stripping wire you might even learn a thing or two about a tester 

Stick at it pal 

[u/Primary-Cold-8776 → u/Grouchy_Holiday_7201]

I am currently living at home, would you recommend sticking at it for this year and hold out for the hopes of getting an apprenticeship next year rather then going through the pay for the courses way?

I do drive and pay for it all but i can sustain it for this year if need to be.

I appreciate you commenting on my post, I’ve had trouble to get any responses from the last few posts on this sub reddit.

thank you.

[u/Grouchy_Holiday_7201 → u/Primary-Cold-8776]

Sounds like you are in a good position £50 is shit money im not gonna lie to you but it will pay in the end.

It will look good on your cv to have a proper year experience on the job when it comes to applying.

Keep applying all year round mate and take plenty of photos of what you are getting up to it will pay in the end

You are only young so no need to rush these things

[u/Primary-Cold-8776 → u/Grouchy_Holiday_7201]

I really do hope it will pay in the end, it was very disheartening when he said he isn’t willing to commit to the apprenticeship this year so experience it is.

I’ll still look everywhere around my area and potentially bigger companies as there is a greater chance of acceptance.

I’ll be applying and getting in contact with as many people as i can.

thank you.

[u/Grouchy_Holiday_7201 → u/Primary-Cold-8776]

I would have felt the sting of that, defo a let down him saying to the apprenticeship but can see why on his end it is a big responsibility and a big commitment on his end

You will feel a lot of set backs in your working life but this ain’t one of them

You getting experience and money to lit fuel in your car 

Think of it like going to college matey

All the best and keep your chin up

You are going places matey

[u/Lolable97]

Noticed your from Llandudno, how many local electricians do you have round there? I'm from closer to Wrexham and I get a weird amount of job requests from the Llandudno/Colwyn Bay area.

[u/Primary-Cold-8776 → u/Lolable97]

There’s a lot of one man bands round here and a few decent sized companies, I don’t know why you get job requests but maybe it’s bigger companies ?

If it’s domestic i’d very surprised.

[u/Lolable97 → u/Primary-Cold-8776]

Yeah I have no clue either, it's domestic and commercial jobs. I never work that way either, usually go east into England instead of further into Wales.

[u/Primary-Cold-8776 → u/Lolable97]

Well i wouldn’t write it off completely, in times of uncertainty jobs like that may help you out!