Apprenticeships

TheBiz

I'm 21, recently dropped out of college after 2 years hating my degree (business)
I've been looking at my options and I think an apprenticeship is the best route to take.
I've had a look into it and I think I'd be better suited towards Electrician or Electronic Security Systems..

I want to be self employed when I'm older, I want to build up a business and expand.
From a contracting business, to wholesale, hardware store etc.. not just me and a van, but at the same time I want something that I enjoy doing.

My parents think I would be better suited to the security systems, maybe that it would be 'nicer' work..
But it's essentially low voltage electrician.. I'd just be specialised in security cameras, alarms and what not but it seems like something I could get into as an electrician.. but not the other way around.


There's a company looking for a security systems apprentice, I haven't seen anything for electrician recently.

It seems that the employer promotes the position and you then sign on as an apprentice and go to the on the job and off the job training, it's not a sign up and see when something comes available.

I've also come across refrigeration and air conditioning, as there's also apparently a lot of work in that area but that's just me looking into things online (I did look into Ireland, and not the states where everyone has air conditioning)

What do you think?
Would it be stupid to go in security systems and not just electrician?
What trades are in high demand now?

And just any general advice would be greatly appreciated.

Borzoi

TheBiz wrote: »

I've also come across refrigeration and air conditioning, as there's also apparently a lot of work in that area.

I can attest that the RAC sector is flat out and is likely to stay that way, but bizarrely wages would be slightly below an electrician, despite the overlap in skills.

I would say that it's likely you could be bored in any trade but there is the possibility of progression to more senior roles

salmocab

Do the electrical apprenticeship, it has so many options down the road including getting into security installations. Wouldn’t worry overly about long term plans as you might drift into something unexpected afterwards.

micks

TheBiz wrote: »

I'm 21, recently dropped out of college after 2 years hating my degree (business)
I've been looking at my options and I think an apprenticeship is the best route to take.
I've had a look into it and I think I'd be better suited towards Electrician or Electronic Security Systems..

I want to be self employed when I'm older, I want to build up a business and expand.
From a contracting business, to wholesale, hardware store etc.. not just me and a van, but at the same time I want something that I enjoy doing.

My parents think I would be better suited to the security systems, maybe that it would be 'nicer' work..
But it's essentially low voltage electrician.. I'd just be specialised in security cameras, alarms and what not but it seems like something I could get into as an electrician.. but not the other way around.


There's a company looking for a security systems apprentice, I haven't seen anything for electrician recently.

It seems that the employer promotes the position and you then sign on as an apprentice and go to the on the job and off the job training, it's not a sign up and see when something comes available.

I've also come across refrigeration and air conditioning, as there's also apparently a lot of work in that area but that's just me looking into things online (I did look into Ireland, and not the states where everyone has air conditioning)

What do you think?
Would it be stupid to go in security systems and not just electrician?
What trades are in high demand now?

And just any general advice would be greatly appreciated.

E&I
Electrician
Refrigeration
Plumber

in that order are your best bet

If you're interested in Security go with electrician
An electrical trade opens you to so many options including security

Odelay

Have a think about an industrial electrician. Especially with PLC programming ability. Highly skilled.

iwillhtfu

Borzoi wrote: »

but bizarrely wages would be slightly below an electrician, despite the overlap in skills.

Hardly an overlap some similarities but that's about it. An electrical appreniticeship would be by far the better appreniticeship served.

OP I'd go for the E&I route try the big Pharma plants and other large industries. ESB were recruiting apprentices recently which in itself is not a great apprenticeship electrically but it also includes Instrumentation and scope for career change.

doolox

You might find that the two years you have done in Business might stand you in good stead in a electrical trades job.

There is a large amount of maths involved in theory side of electrical trades training. Having a head for figures and quantities is important.

Apprenticeships consist of 6 months segments either on the job training and then another six months in Technological Institutes learning the theory for each stage.

The starting money is very low but increases each year. You can probably find the current rates online.

The practical things in the job include ability to work in highly variable conditions including at heights and in confined spaces and in dark attics when doing rewiring and retrofitting work. You need a good ability to interact and get on with a wide variety of people in your various sites and workplaces, you could be in a nursing home on Monday and a posh 5 star hotel on Tuesday and a farm building on Wednesday, highly variable clientele and working conditions, outdoor, indoor, wet, cold too hot, dusty etc. Its all there.

Good colour vision is vital as is good eyesight and attention to detail and good hand skills. There is a fair amount of basic metalwork in electrical installations and careless handling of materials can lead to cuts on your hands which won't be appreciated by your foreman.

These are just my thoughts on the subject, I worked for years in electronics and automation in a factory environment but the electronics industry is dead in Ireland, except for design and other degree jobs and software etc. You might have no choice but to go on to degree level in electrical as well as there are less and less sub degree jobs becoming available in Ireland. This applies especially for older employees as fitness and ability to climb ladders and work at heights and in confined spaces becames less as you grow older.

TheBiz

micks wrote: »

E&I
Electrician
Refrigeration
Plumber

in that order are your best bet

If you're interested in Security go with electrician
An electrical trade opens you to so many options including security

I hadn't really considered E&I, what does that entail? Why is there such a demand?

TheBiz

salmocab wrote: »

Do the electrical apprenticeship, it has so many options down the road including getting into security installations. Wouldn’t worry overly about long term plans as you might drift into something unexpected afterwards.

That seems to make more sense than the others I'm looking at.

Would my best bet just be to approach local electricians? That's what most seem to do around here, or maybe a contractor but I guess most would be advertised if they were taking on.

I don't know if I'd rather the residential or commercial side of things either but I guess that's a bridge to cross later on.

I've also been looking into home automation, electronics integration and all that comes with it, that'll be a big area to get into in the next number of years.

salmocab

TheBiz wrote: »

That seems to make more sense than the others I'm looking at.

Would my best bet just be to approach local electricians? That's what most seem to do around here, or maybe a contractor but I guess most would be advertised if they were taking on.

I don't know if I'd rather the residential or commercial side of things either but I guess that's a bridge to cross later on.

I've also been looking into home automation, electronics integration and all that comes with it, that'll be a big area to get into in the next number of years.

Obviously depends where you live, bigger contractors take on apprentices several times a year but work will mainly be Dublin based. You can check out their HR depts for info. Smaller guys will obviously only need people occasionally so probably best try to contact a few. Best of luck.

TheBiz

salmocab wrote: »

Obviously depends where you live, bigger contractors take on apprentices several times a year but work will mainly be Dublin based. You can check out their HR depts for info. Smaller guys will obviously only need people occasionally so probably best try to contact a few. Best of luck.

So will I have any luck being located the far side of the Shannon?

I've been looking online and I can't see a whole lot advertised, 2 apprenticeships between Galway and Roscommon on Indeed, that's hardly the place for finding them.
I've applied to Kirby group too, that's just a quick submission on their website.

I got on well in my Leaving I don't know how much that'd stand to me beyond passing entry requirements.

salmocab

TheBiz wrote: »

So will I have any luck being located the far side of the Shannon?

I've been looking online and I can't see a whole lot advertised, 2 apprenticeships between Galway and Roscommon on Indeed, that's hardly the place for finding them.
I've applied to Kirby group too, that's just a quick submission on their website.

I got on well in my Leaving I don't know how much that'd stand to me beyond passing entry requirements.

They won’t be bothered about your leaving very tbh, the fact that your 21 and have done some college but realized it’s not for you will stand to you I’d think. I’m Dublin based so haven’t a clue what things are like out your way but I’d imagine it would be quite difficult without relocating. A smaller local outfit is your best bet. The likes of Kirby’s will have the majority of their work in the greater Dublin area as will most large contractors, that’s not to say that there is nothing in Galway you may get lucky as obviously there is some work there.
If the super FAB in intel gets the go ahead there will an absolute pile of work in Leixlip that will Hoover up sparks and apprentices. A lot of company’s pay lodge for certain sites which is about 180 tax free a week on top of wages, if you got one of those it would take the sting out of relocation cost wise.

micks

TheBiz wrote: »

I hadn't really considered E&I, what does that entail? Why is there such a demand?

Its an Electrical & Instrumentation apprenticeship

Basically in theory you get similar apprenticeship to electrical with instrumentation added - where you'd be trained in installation, commissioning & maintenance of the instruments used for measurement (eg. pressure, temperature, humidity, flow) used in industry (eg pharmaceutical, food, brewery, oil & gas etc)
Companies that if i was looking for an E&I apprenticeship, I'd be applying to are:
Dornan
Kirby
Lotus Automation
Hanley
Inhouse Apprenticeships:
Pfizer
MSD
Regeneron

While E&I should provide an excellent trade I'd say setting up your own company after might be more difficult than electrical.

micks

TheBiz wrote: »

So will I have any luck being located the far side of the Shannon?

I've been looking online and I can't see a whole lot advertised, 2 apprenticeships between Galway and Roscommon on Indeed, that's hardly the place for finding them.
I've applied to Kirby group too, that's just a quick submission on their website.

I got on well in my Leaving I don't know how much that'd stand to me beyond passing entry requirements.

Very few Employers will hire you for electrical apprenticeship without LC maths - its a company requirement rather than trade so it will stand to you if you have that

Most employers will look for Safe Pass & manual handling so get them, they'll cost you approx €150 and most applicant wont have it. It sounds simple but believe me it'll really help

Put a cover letter and CV together including your Safe Pass & manual handling

Ensure you can explain why the change in direction of career

Set yourself up on LinkedIn and follow as many electrical companies as you can and dont be afraid to contact them

IMO if going electrical go Industrial its easier to go to domestic fro industrial that vice versa (not impossible eitherway)
The money will be better in industrial also

There is lots of work at the moment and should be opportunities available to you