The adult trainee route
Retraining without an employer?
To complete a recognised training route and JIB registration, you will need to find an employer who completes at least 2 of the following types of work:
- Industrial
- Domestic
- Commercial
It is worth chasing local employers or indeed agencies who, once they know you are studying, often offer electricians mates rates or if they are JIB registered, they may offer adult trainee rates. The usual trick of going through the Yellow Pages, local and national newspapers, internet job sites and even internet forums these days may find you work. If you choose to go to college, you may well make contact with students who do have employers looking for adult trainees or may be employers themselves. Being part of a social network and getting to know local employers is a definite advantage.
A lot of mature students choose to go to college on evening or day release to try to gain the following qualifications:
These qualifications alone do not necessarily allow you to practise as an electrician however will save time later if you are successful in gaining an employer. Often, these qualifications are enough to persuade an employer to take you on on a trial basis to assess your skills and allow you to complete your NVQ.
Often in my experience adults with the right amount of dedication manage to get the retraining opportunity. Some employers prefer employing adult trainees as they get potentially a quicker return on their investment, although at some expense compared to the younger option. It is always worth speaking to your local college as they may have knowledge of the local industry and who's taking on.