Electrician Training – How an Adult Apprenticeship Works

Electrician Training for career changers has evolved into the shape of a new adult apprenticeship from Options Skills.

We all know that apprenticeships are a great way to learn a trade. Traditionally an apprenticeship can take 3 years. They are targeted at young people, predominantly school leavers. During this time the apprentice will learn life skills as well as on the job training from his employer or sponsor. This is usually supported with day release at college for the young trainee. Many apprenticeships fail to complete for a variety of reasons such as young people deciding that their ‘first’ career choice is not for them after all. Who can blame them? Very few people really know what they want to do for a living for the rest of their lives when they are 18 years of age.

The benefits of the apprenticeship system are undoubted. On-job training supported by formal training at college with qualifications is a tried and tested approach and has worked for many years. But what about if you are a little bit older? A 3-year apprenticeship isn’t really feasible if you bills to pay and a family to support, is it?

At Options Skills, we’ve developed our Electrician Training and adapted it to deliver a new adult apprenticeship that combines learning, practical skills, on-site experience and qualifications. All the best bits of an apprenticeship are included but aimed at adults with life experience.

How it Works

Adult trainees will complete a Foundation Electrician Training course (either full time or on a part-time basis) – that incorporates induction, practical training, testing and inspection training. The trainee then must put his or her foundation training into practice by gaining further experience ‘on-site’ and building a portfolio of evidence. This portfolio will contain evidence of a variety of electrical tasks that must be completed. Certain aspects of portfolio building will be supervised by an experienced electrician. Once the portfolio is complete the trainee is ready to return to the training centre to undertake further training and assessment for industry recognised awards such as 18^th Edition Wiring Regulations and The Domestic Installer Award (formerly known as Part P).

Upon completion of the foundation programme, portfolio building and initial level 3 qualifications – you will have gained sufficient knowledge and skill sets to begin working in a domestic environment and may even consider applying for Competent Person Status with an approved scheme. *

Although not mandatory nor a legal requirement (at this time) we strongly encourage adult trainees to take their training to the next level by completing an on-site portfolio with an experienced electrician. This on-site portfolio is made up of a variety of different tasks. This will build your confidence and underpin learning to date. Portfolio building is also designed to further increase your knowledge in preparation for testing and inspection exams that will follow.

The portfolio building exercise need not be a full-time commitment. We recommend that you try and spend 1-day a week with your mentor. The duration portfolio building is completely dependent upon the time that you give it. This can be anywhere from 12-weeks to 12-months or longer if necessary.

Once you ready trainees will have the opportunity to return to the training centre to undertake Periodic and Initial Testing and Inspection Training and exams. These are Level 3 Awards and are highly sought after. Options Skills does not recommend that new entrants try and attain these awards too quickly as trainees need to develop a full understanding and appreciation of the industry. We recommend that trainees should attempt Level 3 only with the experience that the on-site portfolio brings to the table.

For all electrical courses on offer please see electrician courses.

* – Different Scheme providers will have varying entry-level requirements