An increase in skill shortages across the board has led training companies to offer ‘fast-track’ courses for jobseekers – but do they guarantee a future career in a skilled tradesman field, such as an electrician? The short answer: no.
Here are a few things to look out for if you choose to pursue a fast-track course:
Entry-Level Roles
The most common roles that these quick-fix courses advertise to help towards are those of ‘domestic installers’. Also known as a domestic electrician, this kind of entry-level job doesn’t require a formal qualification or scheduled training.
Therefore, paying thousands of pounds for a course is an unfortunate waste of money. There’s nothing wrong with gaining knowledge about the role, but the payoff from work won’t outweigh how much you’ll pay to receive training.
‘Certified Electrician’
Who wouldn’t want to be a “certified” electrician within five weeks?
Well, unfortunately, a certified electrician doesn’t exist – you can become licensed, but simply having a certificate from a training company won’t help in securing a high-paying position. Becoming a licensed electrician takes time and experience; two words that these courses shy away from.
Lack of NVQ
Sometimes, these kinds of courses will say that they can assist towards an NVQ. While not a flat-out lie, this is often misconstrued.
An NVQ is an on-the-job qualification that is earned through experience. If your training purely consists of classroom-based learning, then it’s impossible that you’ll secure an NVQ level 3; the qualification regarded as crucial by employers.
Inexperienced Mentors
It’s important to be taught by somebody highly experienced within their field; this is especially true with hands-on roles like electricians, where teachers can share anecdotes and insights to boost their sector knowledge.
Always learn whether your potential mentors are highly experienced, or simply have a qualification similar to the one you’re working towards. This can be done through a LinkedIn search, or – hopefully – on the training company’s website.
The Best Way
The best route to becoming a licensed electrician is to complete an apprenticeship. Not only will this guarantee a wealth of on-the-job experience, but it will allow you to earn while you learn.
For more information, contact me on 020 3176 4790, or send an email to info@buildrec.com
