I've been doing simple things like adding a socket to a ring or moving a socket. Replacing light fittings and switches, Wiring in a new cooker to replace a broken one, that sort of thing since I was 15 after I did my work experience with an electrician. Obviously not the cooker type stuff at that age. I'm 58. I did do a ton of chasing into walls and putting in capping with clout nails during work experience. Since I did that I set up my own Burglar alarm company (25 years ago) to put myself through college and I spent three years before that as a vehicle accessory technician. I've also been setting up my own computer networks LANs as well as wireless LANs (mainly using Ubiquiti gear). I've always been practical and always done my own DIY. I've even put a new secondary consumer unit in my garage (20 or so years ago) which is fine. I got an Electrician to test it all and connect it to my fuse box in the house. When I say fuse box that's literally what it was. It had repairable fuses. He also fitted an RCD next to the fuse box before the cable (armoured) went out of the house to the garage. So I have a lot of experience but no qualification. I always get an electrician to test stuff if it's complicated like for example running a new circuit. So I have been thinking about going for the Domestic Installer training and qualification. what do you think?

Another great video very interesting and informative

This is a great video, well done to the lad for wanting to learn. It is hard for a mature learner to get set on with no experience. I did a traditional apprenticeship like yourself and agree that there will be holes in his learning and experience, no fault of his own. The courses should be tailored better. I have subscribed to your channel, great work mate. Where do you teach please mate

this is very useful video. I was planning trades 4U route. I cant thank enough

I got onto NICEIC by just having my 18th edition. The main requirement was experience which I had 10 years working with an electrician. I have of course since done extra quals

I find these videos really interesting. At 32 I've just made the decision to start my 2365 in September through a trade school (Not TS4U). I'm stressing about the NVQ, there will be some opportunity for me to get evidence for my NVQ at my current work, but as it's a more an industrial environment I'm not convinced I won't struggle. If I could afford to take an apprenticeship I would, in a heartbeat, but I just can't take the pay cut. As an older worker, you've really to to WANT to make the change, as it's certainly not made easy or straightforward!

Practice in your own house first. That's what I do on level 2. I have done EICR, Installed some external lighting and added a few sockets to a ring followed with tests. Next is CU change.

I'm in a very similar situation to Lee. I took a domestic installer course back in 2013, the plan was I was going to leave my career as a chef and me and my father would be buying property to do up and I would do the electrics. Plans changed, house prices went up and I ended up staying in my job for another few years. When I finally left I wanted to use the qualification I had earned, but like Lee had no experience in DIY/ building so I started working with my father doing building/ maintenance where we undertook the electrical work too (non notifiable work mainly, unless there was an extension etc). My regs ran out so there was about a year where we kept the electrical side to a minimal. I decided to go back and do my 18th edition (not realising at this point how much the rules for registering had changed), my father was looking to slow down and retire and I wanted to move away from the building side and concentrate on the electrical side. I also took a course for periodic inspection too hoping to expand my skills. As my 17th edition on the installer course was so rushed, I took a few months to study sparky ninja's online course so I really understood the regs and that along with my periodic gave me the confidence that I was competent enough to start on my own. Then I tried to get registered and found out about the August 2020 and Sept 2021 changes. Absolutely gutted. Felt I'd been scammed. I was told after my domestic installer and periodic course that I could go out and start working immediately. This was NOT the case. I went back to my training centre who basically shrugged and said it wasn't their fault. The kick in the teeth being if I had applied fresh out of training where I had 0 experience I would have got registered straight away, but because I knew my limitations and took the time to gain experience, now I'm not accepted! I could have done the NVQ years ago and been sorted now! So I applied to Napit a few days before the Sept 2021 deadline only by chance. I had been doing work on my own property for the last 6 months that was supposed to be for my assessment (another 6 months wasted!) It's taken them all this time to get back to me and tell me my domestic installer course isn't valid (they had a huge backlog of entries before sept). Now they are offering me the 2346-03 Experienced worker course. Apparently I have the 5 years experience according to them, do you think this is a good idea? Obviously it's a fraction of the price (was quoted £7500 for lvl 3 NVQ at my nearest college, the 2346-03 is only £1500), but what I don't want is to pay a load of money again only to find it's not going to be enough or I don't meet the minimum requirements. Feel completely stuck, I'm not a beginner but does my installer/periodic cover the scope I need to complete the 2346?! The last few months have been nothing but stress. I was ill for a week after finding out that everything I had been working for, for years, had been for what I thought was nothing. All I want is some clarity and how I can move forwards, building on what I have, without starting again from scratch. Any advice?

Really, really interesting.

Hi Adrian. These videos are very interesting - thank you so much. My contribution is as follows. Lee is now qualified to carry out domestic installations, currently, after a few weeks of college work (but must have 2 years experiencebefore registering with a CPS), fair play to him. However, I have been in the industry since 1995, C&G 236 Part 1&2 - equivalent to Level 3 NVQ, apparently, plus the C&G 2391and BS7671 - plus other C&G in PAT testing etc. Yet, from 1st September 2021, I won't be qualified enough to carry out domestic installation work, and certificate it, unless I do further training - Experienced Worker Qualification. According to the upcoming new (EAS), Electrotechnical Assessment Specification which comes in to force on 1st September of this year, 2001. Lee, from the video will be able to carry out and certify domestic work - based on his short course qualification. This seems a bit absurd - the disparity - especially considering the time differences working within the industry. What are your thoughts? I am not criticising - simply highlighting another crazy anomaly - and further confusion within the electrical installation industry. Many thanks.

I'm doing the exact same course of advanced domestic installer just got the last week to do myself. Would love to have a private chat on my experiences and life situation.

I was hoping that that a detailed review of Trades 4U will be given since this is one of the places I have shortlisted to start my Electrician journey. there is a small mention that their actual course is different to what is advertised but there is no further mention.

There are plenty of apprentice trained electricians out there doing shocking work. Some of it is down to attitude too. An apprentice trained by an old school electrician who doesn’t care and does poor work will also end up doing the same standard work.

Hi Adrian thanks for your response to my question on your previous video i really appreciate it. Also i have just replied to comment you made on a Facebook post so i hope I'm not repeating myself but what I'd like to know is should i continue with the level 3 course or can I get an apprenticeship? as a 33 year old i am told by several people that it would be almost impossible to get an apprenticeship at my age also i don't care too much about the low pay at this stage as i just want to get onsite experience which i could use to become a fully qualified electrician. Please can you advise me. Thank you.

Hi Adrian. I've found your videos very interesting and enlightening. I'm 42 with a 23 year career working in the IT industry and finally now in a position where I can look to re skill and become an electrician. Trades Skills 4u were honestly my first choice but i'm glad i've absorbed some of your content as it's made me want to understand if there's a more suitable route. I'd love the opportunity to have a chat directly with you and get some advice. Is that possible?

Hi, I have been looking at a domestic installers course lately. The part p defined scope takes five days, and the full scope takes another five days. After watching this video I'm now a bit reluctant to try these courses as ten days in total just seems a bit quick for those two qualifications. What do you think? Each course costs around £850. Cheers.

Glad I’ve watched the video, I’m 43 and and was about to apply for the domestic electrical installer course. The course is advertised as a win win, I.e you become qualified, can earn money from domestic installations and also do work for yourself and family, all after a 6 week course. Having watched this video, it seems the course really isn’t sufficient or doesn’t prepare you to a good or safe standard (if you have no previous experience)….with a family and responsibilities it’s not possible to train full time and I wouldn’t be likely to get job experience anyway….guess it’s time for plan B….

Some interesting points made about experience on site with the old fashioned 4/5 year apprenticeships being the most favoured quality route and training, but given circumstances and need to train men regardless of whether they are 16/18 year olds people need the opportunity to get a valid , city and guilds certificate or a qualification in some form of basic training in order for a person to even apply for half decent paying jobs to be able to learn and gain experience first hand , some of us just want to get better than minimum wage not do some quick courses and pretend to by experienced tradesman.

I think I may need some help as I am like Lee only I was sold the full Part P package and promised to be a Electrician at the end of it with a job, turns out no job and possible not an Electrician now, I paid around £5k for mine. The sales person also told me that I could do it in my own time and there is no time limit, that also was a lie as now I've had to pay another £165 to extend the course because there is in fact a time limit in small print on a contract that is thinner than a piece of toilet paper.

Hi guys I’m adult learner looking to start an evening course at my local college. After watching your interviews I’m wondering if that’s the best route into the industry? The college trains you up to C&G level three in preparation for an apprenticeship. Is that a good route? I’ve tried applying for apprenticeships with no electrical experience and that has not worked. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks for the videos ch FYI I’m 42…

ts4u have banned me from their premises because I disliked my training experience of their EV course. The fact their Marketing Manager took that action told me all I need to know, I have over 20 years experience. When will industry step in? Never when £££ is all that matters. I feel for anyone taking these courses. I wish I could help help them.

I done my 2365 level 2 and 3 finished last year July 2021 I then got a few months experience with social housing I offered my services for free they took advantage I left and now I'm struggling to find a job I also have 2391, 18th edition and ecs labours card I'm annoyed because I can't get experience because I need a job to gain the experience I don't know what to do. 🤦🏽‍♂️

im confused as to why he did an experienced worker route coming from a sales background and wondering why he wasnt taught how to chase out walls and pull floorboards, i did the level 2 and 3 with trade skills and not once was i ever told or under the impression id be a fully qualified electrician after that

As someone looking to do a DEI course after the 2021 changes to the CPS qualification requirements, I'd be really interested to hear peoples experience of doing the 'new' Domestic installer quals. I'm looking at a: - LCL Level 3 - Certificate in Installing, Testing and Ensuring Compliance of Electrical Installations in Dwellings (which is listed on the NICEIC domestic installer required qualifications) - C & G 2382-22 - Level 3 18th Edition Wiring Regulations - City & Guilds 2391-50 - Level 3 Inspection & Testing - Initial Verification - City & Guilds 2391-51 - Periodic Inspection and Testing - City & Guilds 2919-01 Electric Vehicle charging This will be 2 nights a week and a Saturday a month over 6/7 months costing circa £4.8k out of my own pocket

What is the best route to become an electrician?

The six month blunder has been shortened to the one month blunder 😅 what could go wrong 😮

Any chance you could pass my details over to lee so we could have a chat as I’m just about to start the same course , cheers

What's this scheme he was on about with the council?

I would like a discussion from a slightly different stance if you have time.

Not convinced he has the right attitude at all to be honest, seems more interested in his route to earning a quick buck rather than as you pointed out working alongside an experienced electrician to gain the practical skills needed. Experimenting on someones property on your own isn't how it should be done. As for local authorities seemingly taking advantage of people who don't even meet the standards to get on a CPS.... I sincerely hope that this isn't a widespread issue

I think that adult learner will absorb knowledge more reliably than apprentice. Apprentice can be immature and unmotivated to absorb knowledge where adult learner will due to committments in his life.

city and guilds the most incompetent company ive dealt with

I see lots of comments from people who would also like to share their experience, I would like to share mine too.

The problem with apprenticeships is its not a living wage... its shocking (pardon the punn) what ever the age, £14,000 a year is not right, especially if you live on your own, and theres no guarantee you will get a job at the end of it. The apprenticeships need to change with the cost of living. Its understandable why people go on these courses.

This route doesn’t exist anymore!

All very well and good claiming people should go do 3 year apprenticeships. There are tonnes of us over the age of 25 wanting to do them. People don't hire us because of our age, it's that simple. The opportunity isn't there so i'm not going to blame a domestic installer who is trying to better his lot in life. You're also making the claim that those coming from these courses are the ones doing unsafe work. Have you got proof for that? Because from what i've seen unsafe work comes from bodgers and cowboys who certainly don't invest thousands into training. If you banned the short courses then you're saying 'didn't get an apprenticeship before 25? sorry mate, stay in your suit hating your job and your life'. There is NO scheme or incentive to hire older learners who need to be trained. If there was, people would do that. You don't really think people want to pay £10k to become qualified do you? We'd all rather do proper training but we often have no choice. I've offered TO PAY MY EMPLOYER to train me and still been rejected because i'm over 25. This whole video is just a spark with a chip on his shoulder putting down someone who has tried to do something in life. Someone at these schemes gets the exact same qualification as someone who does 3 years at college. Level 3 is Level 3. It's just condensed.

This is a great video, well done to the lad for wanting to learn. It is hard for a mature learner to get set on with no experience. I did a traditional apprenticeship like yourself and agree that there will be holes in his learning and experience, no fault of his own. The courses should be tailored better. I have subscribed to your channel, great work mate. Where do you teach please mate