How to train as an electrician

Willy Speareshake

Hi everyone, just have a few questions regarding beginning a trade here in Ireland.
My relative is a young American living here in Ireland full time and is considering taking up a trade here. He is interested in welding, car mechanics, electrician, plumbing, boilermaker.

Regarding electrician, will he need Leaving Cert maths to be even considered? I’m not sure if his high school maths would be equivalent to what is required.

I don’t have too much experience of trades myself and don’t have many relations in a career like this. So, I’m not sure of ways to advise him how to start going about this. Do you do a course first before doing an apprenticeship? How would you go about achieving this? Are ETB/Training Course workers the best people to talk to in regards to this or who should he contact?

Any of you have any advice for a completely clueless individual such as myself? Thanks so much

punisher5112

Willy Speareshake wrote: »

Hi everyone, just have a few questions regarding beginning a trade here in Ireland.
My relative is a young American living here in Ireland full time and is considering taking up a trade here. He is interested in welding, car mechanics, electrician, plumbing, boilermaker.

Regarding electrician, will he need Leaving Cert maths to be even considered? I’m not sure if his high school maths would be equivalent to what is required.

I don’t have too much experience of trades myself and don’t have many relations in a career like this. So, I’m not sure of ways to advise him how to start going about this. Do you do a course first before doing an apprenticeship? How would you go about achieving this? Are ETB/Training Course workers the best people to talk to in regards to this or who should he contact?

Any of you have any advice for a completely clueless individual such as myself? Thanks so much

Ive answered this in the other section. Mods will most likely merge or delete repeat threads...

alta stare

Willy Speareshake wrote: »

Hi everyone, just have a few questions regarding beginning a trade here in Ireland.
My relative is a young American living here in Ireland full time and is considering taking up a trade here. He is interested in welding, car mechanics, electrician, plumbing, boilermaker.

Regarding electrician, will he need Leaving Cert maths to be even considered? I’m not sure if his high school maths would be equivalent to what is required.

I don’t have too much experience of trades myself and don’t have many relations in a career like this. So, I’m not sure of ways to advise him how to start going about this. Do you do a course first before doing an apprenticeship? How would you go about achieving this? Are ETB/Training Course workers the best people to talk to in regards to this or who should he contact?

Any of you have any advice for a completely clueless individual such as myself? Thanks so much

Leaving Cert maths is favoured but not essential. There is a pre apprenticeship course which can be done or he could just be lucky and get an apprenticeship without any LC or pre approved course.

Hand out CVs to electrical firms. Definitely contact his local ETB for some information.

2011

+1 to the posts above.

Plenty of employers are looking for electrical apprentices. Basic maths is of benefit but eagerness to learn will be the most important attribute. Maths starts at a very basic level and finishes somewhere around (or even below) leaving very pass maths.

I wouldn’t bother doing a pre apprenticeship course, that’s just my view.

This link may help: http://www.apprenticeship.ie/en/apprentice/Pages/Electrical.aspx

Willy Speareshake

punisher5112 wrote: »

Ive answered this in the other section. Mods will most likely merge or delete repeat threads...

Thanks again Punisher, yes I realise about that but I merged the post before in another thread and only got one answer and not too much info so I decided it would be a good idea to get more exposure so I'm very glad I did the two posts. They can delete/merge now I'm happy out

Willy Speareshake

alta stare wrote: »

Leaving Cert maths is favoured but not essential. There is a pre apprenticeship course which can be done or he could just be lucky and get an apprenticeship without any LC or pre approved course.

Hand out CVs to electrical firms. Definitely contact his local ETB for some information.

Would the ETB inform me about the pre apprenticeship course if that's needed or how would I find out about this?
Thanks for the advice, will definitely get him to contact the local ETB

Willy Speareshake

2011 wrote: »

+1 to the posts above.

Plenty of employers are looking for electrical apprentices. Basic maths is of benefit but eagerness to learn will be the most important attribute. Maths starts at a very basic level and finishes somewhere around (or even below) leaving very pass maths.

I wouldn’t bother doing a pre apprenticeship course, that’s just my view.

This link may help: http://www.apprenticeship.ie/en/apprentice/Pages/Electrical.aspx

Thank you so much for your advice 2011, reassuring to know that honours LC maths isn't a prerequisite.
Is the pre apprenticeship course unnecessary do you think? As in it may be easy enough to start an apprentice course straight away?

micks

Willy Speareshake wrote: »

Thank you so much for your advice 2011, reassuring to know that honours LC maths isn't a prerequisite.
Is the pre apprenticeship course unnecessary do you think? As in it may be easy enough to start an apprentice course straight away?

Junior Cert Maths is the requirement
However lots of the bigger companies wont take you on without LC pass in maths


Hard work will paper over any gaps he may have in maths as 2011 said its not overly difficult
I'd guess that no one will know that his maths level equivalent or not so just do a cover letter saying he's got the equivalent to LC maths

If he gets a safe pass and manual handling under his belt it'll stand to him
I'd see pre apprenticeship course as a luxury rather than requirement

Lots of work and opportunities - good luck

JustJoe7240

Snip

micks

Mod snip

No mentioning companies or their policies

PM the OP if you want thank you

alta stare

OP i have a relative who failed maths in school. He is an apprentice sparks. As said the maths isnt too difficult plus in phase two every student gets a maths handbook which is quite helpful. The maths in phase 4 aint too hard either as it is much the same.

The local ETB will give you any info he may need. Definitely get him to send out CVs and see how he gets on.

And as above regarding the safe pass, it would be a good advantage to have. That and manual handling.

knipex

I assume he has a visa \ entitlement to work in Ireland ???

If so, do a safe-pass (1 day course €100), a manual handling course and start applying. There is huge demand at the moment so shouldn't take long..

Don't underestimate the theory side on ht electrical apprenticeships.. More than one apprentice has failed but its not rocket science..

hufpc8w3adnk65

When I done phase 4 I found the maths very difficult and required grinds. It was a large jump from my ordinary level junior cert maths.

2 pie fl squared still haunts me in my dreams

Willy Speareshake

Hard work will paper over any gaps he may have in maths as 2011 said its not overly difficult
I'd guess that no one will know that his maths level equivalent or not so just do a cover letter saying he's got the equivalent to LC maths

If he gets a safe pass and manual handling under his belt it'll stand to him
I'd see pre apprenticeship course as a luxury rather than requirement

Lots of work and opportunities - good luck[/QUOTE]

Alright, thanks very much for the advice regarding the Cover Letter. I'm sure he's well past the level of JC maths but not sure if LC is more advanced than 12th grade highschool.

He has a manual handling course completed from his job, but hasn't a cert for it or anything like that, does that count as manual handling completed still? I can advise him to do a safe pass course though all the same.

Thanks again!

Willy Speareshake

alta stare wrote: »

OP i have a relative who failed maths in school. He is an apprentice sparks. As said the maths isnt too difficult plus in phase two every student gets a maths handbook which is quite helpful. The maths in phase 4 aint too hard either as it is much the same.

The local ETB will give you any info he may need. Definitely get him to send out CVs and see how he gets on.

And as above regarding the safe pass, it would be a good advantage to have. That and manual handling.

Thanks again Alta stare, brilliant information/reassurance

Will definitely advise him to contact the ETB and start handing out his CV to different companies, any advice if none take him on?

If he has a manual handling course done at his current employment does that satisfy a manual handling cert do you think? Will tell him to get the safe pass though

Willy Speareshake

knipex wrote: »

I assume he has a visa \ entitlement to work in Ireland ???

If so, do a safe-pass (1 day course €100), a manual handling course and start applying. There is huge demand at the moment so shouldn't take long..

Don't underestimate the theory side on ht electrical apprenticeships.. More than one apprentice has failed but its not rocket science..

Yes, he has his Irish Residence Permit/Stamp and has already been working here to earn a bit of money but wants to start going for a career here at the same time.
He has been looking up those safe pass courses and says they're on regularly in the nearby town.
Thanks for the advice about the theory side, it's always good to know the realistic parts of the job too :rolleyes:

Willy Speareshake

MrMac84 wrote: »

When I done phase 4 I found the maths very difficult and required grinds. It was a large jump from my ordinary level junior cert maths.

2 pie fl squared still haunts me in my dreams

Oh better keep this in mind then! Thanks for letting me know:eek:

alta stare

Willy Speareshake wrote: »

Thanks again Alta stare, brilliant information/reassurance

Will definitely advise him to contact the ETB and start handing out his CV to different companies, any advice if none take him on?

If he has a manual handling course done at his current employment does that satisfy a manual handling cert do you think? Will tell him to get the safe pass though

Any advice if none take him on.....yeah keep trying.

Yeah it will. Also he will get manual handling covered in phase two. He will get a cert from that.

Willy Speareshake

alta stare wrote: »

Any advice if none take him on.....yeah keep trying.

Yeah it will. Also he will get manual handling covered in phase two. He will get a cert from that.

Keep sending CVs to all those electrical companies? I should tell him to keep sending loads of letters to them like Andy from Shawshank, they'll take him on just to keep from sending more and more letters haha

Oh perfect okay, thank you for telling me about the manual handling. Is there any where he can get more information about these phases?

knipex

Willy Speareshake wrote: »

Keep sending CVs to all those electrical companies? I should tell him to keep sending loads of letters to them like Andy from Shawshank, they'll take him on just to keep from sending more and more letters haha

Oh perfect okay, thank you for telling me about the manual handling. Is there any where he can get more information about these phases?

http://www.apprenticeship.ie/en/apprentice/Pages/Electrical.aspx

All the info here, on all apprenticships. Where is he based ??

Phase 1 employer (roughly 6 months)

Phase 2 training center for 22 weeks

Phase 3 employer

Phase 4 Institute of Technology for 11 weeks

Phase 5 employer

Phase 6 Institute of Technology for 11 weeks

Phase 7 employer

Pass all 7 phases, complete 4 years and qualify.

alta stare

knipex wrote: »

http://www.apprenticeship.ie/en/apprentice/Pages/Electrical.aspx

All the info here, on all apprenticships. Where is he based ??

Phase 1 employer (roughly 6 months)

Phase 2 training center for 22 weeks

Phase 3 employer

Phase 4 Institute of Technology for 11 weeks

Phase 5 employer

Phase 6 Institute of Technology for 11 weeks

Phase 7 employer

Pass all 7 phases, complete 4 years and qualify.

Im doing the Electronic Security Systems one and the 2nd 4th and 6th phases are shorter (thank fu(k )

Phase 2: 20 weeks
Phase 4: 10 weeks
Phase 6: 10 weeks

Off the job phases are the same as the sparks.

Truth be told they really need to shorten phase 2 and lengthen phases 4 and 6.

Willy Speareshake

knipex wrote: »

http://www.apprenticeship.ie/en/apprentice/Pages/Electrical.aspx

All the info here, on all apprenticships. Where is he based ??

Phase 1 employer (roughly 6 months)

Phase 2 training center for 22 weeks

Phase 3 employer

Phase 4 Institute of Technology for 11 weeks

Phase 5 employer

Phase 6 Institute of Technology for 11 weeks

Phase 7 employer

Pass all 7 phases, complete 4 years and qualify.

Thanks for the clarification!!
Based in Kerry at the moment, but can travel to Limerick/Cork. Any advice for apprenticeships in that region or thereabouts?

Willy Speareshake

alta stare wrote: »

Im doing the Electronic Security Systems one and the 2nd 4th and 6th phases are shorter (thank fu(k )

Phase 2: 20 weeks
Phase 4: 10 weeks
Phase 6: 10 weeks

Off the job phases are the same as the sparks.

Truth be told they really need to shorten phase 2 and lengthen phases 4 and 6.

Any phase in particular to look out for? Or all just building off from each other?

alta stare

Willy Speareshake wrote: »

Any phase in particular to look out for? Or all just building off from each other?

Put in the required work and they are grand. Phase 4 is a big step up from phase 2. Alot more in it with less time but its manageable.

knipex

Willy Speareshake wrote: »

Thanks for the clarification!!
Based in Kerry at the moment, but can travel to Limerick/Cork. Any advice for apprenticeships in that region or thereabouts?

There are multiple different apprenticeships not just electricians. Many of them are considered electrical type. check out the website I linked to.


Mod Snip


Keep and eye on Indeed, Irish Jobs and local papers. Look at local companies in Kerry and approach them directly. Google is definitely your friend for this.

Stoner

All please keep company names off the forum.

I know it's all great advice here but it's a discipline that saves confusion down the line.

By all means PM the OP with suggestions, thank you

Willy Speareshake

alta stare wrote: »

Put in the required work and they are grand. Phase 4 is a big step up from phase 2. Alot more in it with less time but its manageable.

Which is what you meant by having extra weeks for Phase 4 and less weeks for the other phases, gotcha
Putting the work in is no problem, just the application process!

Willy Speareshake

knipex wrote: »

There are multiple different apprenticeships not just electricians. Many of them are considered electrical type. check out the website I linked to.


Mod Snip


Keep and eye on Indeed, Irish Jobs and local papers. Look at local companies in Kerry and approach them directly. Google is definitely your friend for this.

Oh yes, I've seen multiple apprentices listed under the different sections of apprenticeship.ie
Thanks for the advice about Indeed/Irish Jobs/newspapers, would the papers also advertise for apprenticeships? Thats interesting
And Google of course!

Willy Speareshake

Stoner wrote: »

All please keep company names off the forum.

I know it's all great advice here but it's a discipline that saves confusion down the line.

By all means PM the OP with suggestions, thank you

Thanks Stoner good advice
Please anyone feel free to PM me with any more advice, every snippet is much appreciated

Stoner

Willy Speareshake wrote:

Thanks Stoner good advice Please anyone feel free to PM me with any more advice, every snippet is much appreciated

For what its worth, in a former life I looked after the apprentices in a company.

Over 20 years ago I changed the entry level to the company to requiring a leaving cert with a pass in ordinary maths and English.

I found that we were struggling to get lads through phase 4 on the technical subjects.

This nailed the issue,I kept a detailed database on it at the time, sent lads off with a junior cert and told them to come back when they had a leaving cert, a few did and we hired them, good lads.

My own experience in engineering we had a weeder year in first year, 60-70 percent failure rate a 150 class became 40 people.

Thing is you only wasted one year but it's hard to tell a 3rd year that they've failed and can't repeat.

Phase 2 should be the difficult year so people haven't invested so much time in it.

I got some way discussing same with the education body at time. Ground has been made up since, but people still struggle with the idea that you can fail in a trade.

You certainly can and your need to get your maths up OP.

salmocab

OP something that might be worth investigating is if he plans to move back to America how the qualification would travel and what he’d have to do over there to be recognized.

2011

Stoner wrote: »

For what its worth, in a former life I looked after the apprentices in a company.

Over 20 years ago I changed the entry level to the company to requiring a leaving cert with a pass in ordinary maths and English.

Quite a few of the larger companies have done this (as no doubt you know).

My own experience in engineering we had a weeder year in first year, 60-70 percent failure rate a 150 class became 40 people.

Apples and oranges in my opinion.

During my apprenticeship I can honestly say that the maths was nothing beyond what I had covered in secondary school for pass Leaving Certificate. In reality it was all revision. During my degree maths in week 1 of 1st year delved into new material (for me).

I must admit I always found maths a difficult subject and had to get a lot of help. I did pass maths in the leaving certificate, although I achieved a high grade I wouldn’t pretend to have a natural ability. I got there thanks to the help and patience of others.

You certainly can and your need to get your maths up OP.

I would suggest buying a maths book that covers honors Junior Certificate syllabus. If you can cope with that you are up to speed.

Stoner

2011 wrote:

Quite a few of the larger companies have done this (as no doubt you know).

Yes it's been mentioned. I was offering real information around why it was done.
At that time just two companies did it (at the same time) following discussions with FAS. I'd a decent database with some stats on same.

2011 wrote:

Apples and oranges in my opinion.

Possibly you are missing the point.
It's about identifying and letting people know early if they can handle it or not, being fair

letting someone know in first year rather than 3rd year, also at that time many lads were in year 4 before the finished phase 4.
Plenty of people quit something after giving it one year. 3 or 4 is more difficult


The initial standards based apprenticeship was a huge improvements but weighted incorrect.

This has been recognised and a revisions board made some alterations to same.

The time based apprenticeship and the standards based one is closer to apples and oranges. In the old system you could practice without completing the course, on a junior trade.

Are you familiar with the standards based format? Have you seen the data on the failure rates over the different phases?

I agree that pass maths in the leaving certificate is fine for it.

I'm familiar with the maths on your course and others, content changes a lot faster in the colleges and universities. There are more routes into most things now bar medicine.

It's more difficult to change the format of trades with unions, employers groups, government and education input and concerns.
It's been a while since I was involved in any revisions of it, but it can be tricky and political as you can imagine.

Willy Speareshake

Stoner wrote: »

For what its worth, in a former life I looked after the apprentices in a company.

Over 20 years ago I changed the entry level to the company to requiring a leaving cert with a pass in ordinary maths and English.

I found that we were struggling to get lads through phase 4 on the technical subjects.

This nailed the issue,I kept a detailed database on it at the time, sent lads off with a junior cert and told them to come back when they had a leaving cert, a few did and we hired them, good lads.

My own experience in engineering we had a weeder year in first year, 60-70 percent failure rate a 150 class became 40 people.

Thing is you only wasted one year but it's hard to tell a 3rd year that they've failed and can't repeat.

Phase 2 should be the difficult year so people haven't invested so much time in it.

I got some way discussing same with the education body at time. Ground has been made up since, but people still struggle with the idea that you can fail in a trade.

You certainly can and your need to get your maths up OP.

Hi Stoner, thanks so much for sharing your experiences with this, it's good to know the realistic aspects of it all
So would you recommend to study for Leaving Cert maths and then try to apply for companies? Or perhaps a PLC to cover the maths required in apprenticeships?

Willy Speareshake

salmocab wrote: »

OP something that might be worth investigating is if he plans to move back to America how the qualification would travel and what he’d have to do over there to be recognized.

Very good idea thank you, he has been doing some research about this I believe, I think as far as he's told me that there is a large amount of classroom hours required, as well as the actual practical training in an electrical company

Willy Speareshake

2011 wrote: »

Quite a few of the larger companies have done this (as no doubt you know).



Apples and oranges in my opinion.

During my apprenticeship I can honestly say that the maths was nothing beyond what I had covered in secondary school for pass Leaving Certificate. In reality it was all revision. During my degree maths in week 1 of 1st year delved into new material (for me).

I must admit I always found maths a difficult subject and had to get a lot of help. I did pass maths in the leaving certificate, although I achieved a high grade I wouldn’t pretend to have a natural ability. I got there thanks to the help and patience of others.



I would suggest buying a maths book that covers honors Junior Certificate syllabus. If you can cope with that you are up to speed.

Okay so some differing opinions here I take it...
I have some fairly newish Junior Cert books lying around, maybe from around 5/6 years ago, I'd think that should be sufficiently up to date? Not sure if that's the "project maths" syllabus or not. Would project maths be helpful for apprentice do you think?
Either way, I will find some JC books and get him to take a look but I'm pretty sure he is mathematically capable at that stage at the very least

Willy Speareshake

Stoner wrote: »

Yes it's been mentioned. I was offering real information around why it was done.
At that time just two companies did it (at the same time) following discussions with FAS. I'd a decent database with some stats on same.



Possibly you are missing the point.
It's about identifying and letting people know early if they can handle it or not, being fair

letting someone know in first year rather than 3rd year, also at that time many lads were in year 4 before the finished phase 4.
Plenty of people quit something after giving it one year. 3 or 4 is more difficult


The initial standards based apprenticeship was a huge improvements but weighted incorrect.

This has been recognised and a revisions board made some alterations to same.

The time based apprenticeship and the standards based one is closer to apples and oranges. In the old system you could practice without completing the course, on a junior trade.

Are you familiar with the standards based format? Have you seen the data on the failure rates over the different phases?

I agree that pass maths in the leaving certificate is fine for it.

I'm familiar with the maths on your course and others, content changes a lot faster in the colleges and universities. There are more routes into most things now bar medicine.

It's more difficult to change the format of trades with unions, employers groups, government and education input and concerns.
It's been a while since I was involved in any revisions of it, but it can be tricky and political as you can imagine.

Thank you again for your in-depth knowledge about all of this Stoner, I really do appreciate hearing the reality of the situation. I understand completely what you mean about giving up after 3 years being extremely difficult, the more time you spend invested in anything will make it hard to accept a failure.
It is a pity there is no more junior trade as you referred to. Is there anything like this at all so lads can find out if this is a suitable trade for them or not?

Stoner

Willy Speareshake wrote:

Thank you again for your in-depth knowledge about all of this Stoner, I really do appreciate hearing the reality of the situation. I understand completely what you mean about giving up after 3 years being extremely difficult, the more time you spend invested in anything will make it hard to accept a failure. It is a pity there is no more junior trade as you referred to. Is there anything like this at all so lads can find out if this is a suitable trade for them or not?

It's not really a lot of info that you need willy. But yes that is the point.
It was more that you'd need a bit more maths than junior cert. As 2011 suggests a leaving cert book and look at complex numbers. YouTube.

Its very very achievable, but back in the day people (some) didn't want the age and entry standard raised, but the standard and requirement to pass all the exams was. So that left covered over a bit of a route to getting qualified that the old system had.

2011

Willy Speareshake wrote: »

Okay so some differing opinions here I take it...

No, not really differing options. I think Stoner’s post (#33 above) explains it best. I agree with this position 100%

Willy Speareshake

Stoner wrote: »

It's not really a lot of info that you need willy. But yes that is the point.
It was more that you'd need a bit more maths than junior cert. As 2011 suggests a leaving cert book and look at complex numbers. YouTube.

Its very very achievable, but back in the day people (some) didn't want the age and entry standard raised, but the standard and requirement to pass all the exams was. So that left covered over a bit of a route to getting qualified that the old system had.

I will recommend this, thank you. Can I ask, I understand that a higher maths standard is required for the apprenticeship, but when you're fully trained and qualified as an electrician, is the maths applicable? Would this high standard of maths be required in the daily life of an electrician I mean?

Willy Speareshake

2011 wrote: »

No, not really differing options. I think Stoner’s post (#33 above) explains it best. I agree with this position 100%

Sorry didn't really mean totally different, further considerations of the same issure I suppose
But thank you for explaining the maths standard to me

knipex

Willy Speareshake wrote: »

I will recommend this, thank you. Can I ask, I understand that a higher maths standard is required for the apprenticeship, but when you're fully trained and qualified as an electrician, is the maths applicable? Would this high standard of maths be required in the daily life of an electrician I mean?

It really depends on the actual trade chosen and the role they want within thaty trade.

I know guys that qualified as an electrican.

That work in technician \ engineer rolls who focus heavily on robotics, automation, PLC's, etc.

That wire houses, shops etc.

That work on larger project's building and installing high-voltage panes.

All the same qualification but vastly different jobs.

Leaving cert Math's is very broad. He wont need leaving cert statistics, calculus etc but will need Trigonometry

To be fair Trigonometry is required for a lot of trades and should be a core requirement. Its not rocket science level but a decent understanding of the practical applications (which is the biggest failing of leaving cert math). its more than the actual math training though its a mindset, if he the "that type" of individual. Do they have the real interest in understanding and fixing stuff, will they put in the effort to understand the basic of Boolean logic and basic ladder and list programming of PLC's or will they just say, "I dont get that" and give up. None of it is rocket science, its a basic introduction and if you need more for your work then you lean on the job or you teach yourself.

Personally I think its a fantastic opportunity, its a trade that gives you an introduction to so much and the basic understanding to take it further if you want to. No one forces you to but its a qualification and a trade you can take as far as you want in any direction you want. I know sparks that ended up in technical sales, more than one who ended up as programmers or engineers, a multitude who ended up as senior management within organizations from Manufacturing, service and construction sectors. Plus the untold number that ended up setting up their own companies or as self employed trades people.


Its not "just" wiring houses,..

Willy Speareshake

knipex wrote: »

It really depends on the actual trade chosen and the role they want within thaty trade.

I know guys that qualified as an electrican.

That work in technician \ engineer rolls who focus heavily on robotics, automation, PLC's, etc.

That wire houses, shops etc.

That work on larger project's building and installing high-voltage panes.

All the same qualification but vastly different jobs.

Leaving cert Math's is very broad. He wont need leaving cert statistics, calculus etc but will need Trigonometry

To be fair Trigonometry is required for a lot of trades and should be a core requirement. Its not rocket science level but a decent understanding of the practical applications (which is the biggest failing of leaving cert math). its more than the actual math training though its a mindset, if he the "that type" of individual. Do they have the real interest in understanding and fixing stuff, will they put in the effort to understand the basic of Boolean logic and basic ladder and list programming of PLC's or will they just say, "I dont get that" and give up. None of it is rocket science, its a basic introduction and if you need more for your work then you lean on the job or you teach yourself.

Personally I think its a fantastic opportunity, its a trade that gives you an introduction to so much and the basic understanding to take it further if you want to. No one forces you to but its a qualification and a trade you can take as far as you want in any direction you want. I know sparks that ended up in technical sales, more than one who ended up as programmers or engineers, a multitude who ended up as senior management within organizations from Manufacturing, service and construction sectors. Plus the untold number that ended up setting up their own companies or as self employed trades people.


Its not "just" wiring houses,..

knipex, thank you so much for going into such depth about the diverse field of the trade. I completely understand the determined mindset that is required
Do you know if there is anything like a post leaving cert or something a step under to try out the trade first before having to commit to it?

knipex

Willy Speareshake wrote: »

knipex, thank you so much for going into such depth about the diverse field of the trade. I completely understand the determined mindset that is required
Do you know if there is anything like a post leaving cert or something a step under to try out the trade first before having to commit to it?

Nothing useful that I am aware of.

If he wants to do the trade then go for it. It takes 4 years and he will get paid during the training. No college debt.

If after a year it doesn't work out then it doesn't work out but unless he has a genuine interest then he is wasting his time and the employers time.

Find an apprenticeship in a field that interests him,

Willy Speareshake

knipex wrote: »

Nothing useful that I am aware of.

If he wants to do the trade then go for it. It takes 4 years and he will get paid during the training. No college debt.

If after a year it doesn't work out then it doesn't work out but unless he has a genuine interest then he is wasting his time and the employers time.

Find an apprenticeship in a field that interests him,

He does have a genuine interest however it is hard to decide what to do with the rest of your life when you're only a teenager, things change and you learn more about yourself as life goes on
It is definitely a trade that interests him, but as you mentioned the multitude of routes he could take with an electrician trade, this would probably be more suitable for him in terms of having further options after being qualified