Name: Giovanni Asiedu

Courses taken: City and Guilds 2365 level 2 and 3 full diploma, City & Guilds 2393 Part P

Outcome: Working in industry

We caught up with Giovanni Asiedu, following his training with Trade Skills 4U to find out how he was getting on, and are delighted to hear that he was able to start work sub-contracting and working on commercial sites just one week after completing his course and is now working his way towards being a fully qualified electrician.

What did you do before your electrical training?

Before training to become an electrician, I worked in retail for many years. After a while it felt like I was going nowhere and I wasn’t doing anything to develop myself.

Why did you decide to train as an electrician?

I didn’t want to continue working in a job where I became comfortable in an environment that didn’t challenge me, so I started looking for work that was more technical. I wanted to do something that tested my abilities, and decided to go for a complete career change. I have always wanted to learn a trade and to have the ability and knowledge to physically carry out a skill, no matter the situation I was in, or where in the world I went.

Why did you decide to take the C&G 2356 L2 & 3?

I had no previous experience, skills or qualifications to get started in the electrical trade, and there weren’t a lot of opportunities available to gain the work experience I needed.

I thought it would be a struggle to get on the job training at an entry level and most places that offered apprenticeships had age restrictions, and to even start as an electricians mate I would need some foundation of theory, practical knowledge or experience.

I knew I had to start from the very beginning, so I looked online for courses that could help me get up and running. It wasn’t long before I was directed to the Trade Skills 4U website. The site had a clear explanation of what the C&G 2365 Level 2 & 3 was, in comparison to the other electrical courses offered. It stated it would be the best course for a beginner looking to get into the electrical trade, and on completing the course I would be employable.

And that’s exactly what I was able to do. I completed my Level 2 & 3 and had the qualifications to apply for work and start working as an electrician the next week.

What are your plans now?

Having completed the C&G 2365 course I set out to continue learning and adding to the knowledge and experience I had gained, and applying all of this to my current working environment in order to work towards an NVQ and AM2 as soon as possible.

What was your training experience like with Trade Skills 4U?

For me, learning the theory from scratch was one of the most difficult parts of the course. However, I had an amazing teacher, who was so patient and determined and taught me to understand so that I found a way to make it stick.

I went from not having a clue the first few times I heard a subject, to passing all my exams with merits or distinctions the first time, and later on in the course even being able to attempt and then complete detailed coursework at home.

What is the best experience you have had so far in your new career?

Since gaining my qualifications I have been sub-contracting and working on commercial sites; including new builds and refurbishments of schools.

At first I was nervous, and work seemed daunting outside of the Trade Skills 4U centre, however taking on everything I learnt and working alongside experienced electricians I have been able to put together my new-found knowledge and practical experience in many challenging situations.

Since then, I have been confident and capable enough to work alone and complete 1st and 2nd fix work in large areas and rooms of schools.

How would you describe the facilities and training at Trade Skills 4U?

The facilities at the Crawley Centre offered specific working areas that allowed me to gain vital practical experience that helped me understand what it would be like working in the electrical trade. From working at heights setting up towers to putting up a fuse board and wiring circuits in steel conduit, and even testing 3 phase boards and fault finding on different rigs. All of this mixed in with intense theory lessons helped me reach the level of understanding I have, and use today.

Finally, do you have any advice for others wanting to train as an electrician?

I was very lucky to have been part of a great class and to have had a dedicated and patient teacher. There was a range of experience and learning levels, some had years of experience and others, like myself, had none. My best advice would be to take in as much as you can during your time training as you can learn a lot from what different people and their experiences can bring to the time shared. And of course you have an experienced and well informed group of teachers, who themselves have their own experiences you can learn from. You don’t want to regret not asking those around you for help with how or what helped them already.

It’s because of the people and teachers I met during my time training that I was able to gain such an understanding of what it is to be, and work as an electrician before I even started as one. It is these tips and lessons I have learnt that I will keep with me going forward in my new career.

We would like to thank Giovanni for sharing his story and offering his words of advice to anyone thinking of becoming an electrician. We wish Giovanni the very best of luck for the future and hope he continues to have a successful career as an electrician.

If you are interested in an electrical training course, please visit our Course Finder page.

Name: Kelly Vincent

Company: Kelly Electrics, Female Electricians Ltd

Location: London

Courses: City & Guilds 2399 Solar PV Full-8 and previously City & Guilds 2330 L2&3

We caught up with Kelly to ask her why she chose to take the 2399 Solar PV Full-8 course and to find out what made her decide to become an electrician.

Reason for Training?

I worked within the NHS in an administrative role for almost 10 years and although I enjoyed it I didn’t feel like I was being challenged enough. I moved through various different NHS Trusts and Services, but I knew I didn’t want to be stuck inside an office everyday anymore and I wanted to learn something new. I wanted a job where I could choose my hours but still earn good money, so when I spoke to my parents my dad, being a building contractor with a successful business suggested electrics or plumbing. I looked into it and thought the technical side of being an electrician appealed to me more than plumbing, so I did some research online and TradeSkills4U stood out with the best reviews. I signed up to the 2330 Level 2 & 3, which meant I would be out of work for 9 months, but it was on a 2 week on 2 week basis which allowed me to do some temp work in between. That was 8 years ago, and even though you now offer shorter courses for Domestic Installers, which would have been perfect for me, having done the full 2330 (now replaced by the 2365 Diploma) I feel I have a more rounded and thorough knowledge than some of the students doing the Domestic Installer course, so am pleased I did it.

How long have you been working in the electrical industry?

When I first qualified I wanted to get a trainee job with a company so I could learn the practical knowledge and build my confidence. I applied to British Gas, local electrical firms and big electrical companies, but no one was employing anyone at the time. I almost gave up when I got a call from a new company looking for trainees to work alongside their senior electricians. It was fate, because the job was local, the hours where perfect, and the person I was teamed up with was a brilliant teacher. 6 years later I’m confident and competent and running my own business and training other females.

Tell us about your business and the staff you employ?

I have two full-time female electricians working for me, and a long standing part-time female, who is currently in her last year at university studying Architecture. When I first became self-employed and turning up for jobs, the feedback from my clients was that they opted for me not only because of my reputation and reviews, but also because I was a female. I didn’t know if people would take me seriously being a female tradesperson, but the response has been amazing. Since then I have tried to promote and encourage women to get into the construction industry and provide opportunities for them for training.

Why did you decide to take the 2399 Solar PV course and how will this help your business?

I’ve been a domestic and light commercial electrician for 7 years, and although site work has never appealed to me I have always been interested in renewable energy. Elly joined our team almost two years ago now and she has a background in solar power and is extremely passionate about green technology. My husband and I recently bought a house and have been renovating it, I thought it was the perfect time for Elly and I to get qualified in Solar PV installation and set up a solar panel installation on the property, which we could use for our MCS installer assessment.

What other courses have you studied with Trade Skills 4U and how did these help you?

In 2009 I booked myself onto the 2330 Level 2 & 3 (now replaced by the 2365 Diploma). I was nervous driving into the training centre, and as I made my way to the classroom I could feel myself shaking and I was on the verge of walking back to my car. But when I saw the other students, looking around as unsure as I was, and the big old smile on the tutors face beckoning me in and welcoming everyone, I took a seat and very quickly felt at ease. The other students where all very friendly and supportive, interested in my choice of career change, and learning a new skill with tutors that actually care about what they’re teaching, it gave me the confidence I needed to continue my journey.

Tell us about your training experience with Trade Skills 4U?

I really enjoyed the course as a whole, the teachers were all very knowledgeable and happy to give further explanations if you didn’t understand anything. The environment was warm and peaceful, we were able to concentrate when we needed to and test conditions were all very relaxed and calming. The workshops were as realistic as they could be for a training centre, and the rooftops for the solar course were fab, although I wish we had got to spend some more time on them.

What are your plans for your business?

We have designed the installation for solar panels at the house we own, and will be installing it in the next couple of months. I’m hoping to arrange for Elly to work with a Solar PV installer working around London on new build properties, so we can gain some solid experience in commercial solar installs and how they differ to domestic ones. It’s early stages yet!

What is the best experience you have had so far in your career?

Training newly qualified women and being able to help them grow in confidence, watching them learn and improve and eventually work unsupervised is very satisfying!

Do you have any advice for other women looking to retrain as an electrician?

Do it! If you’re not shy of hard work, you can dedicate yourself to it, and if you want a job that you can feel satisfied from at the end of every day, then do it. It’s got a perfect mix of technical and physical work, full of problem solving as well as working up a sweat! I’ve never looked back.

What has your experience been like working in a typically male dominated industry?

I’ve had a really positive experience, the men I have worked with onsite have always been very respectful, interested and supportive, and I’ve never had a problem finding work. I have very loyal clients, and have managed to build a good reputation. The feedback from clients has all been really amazing, and I think women have the ability to make an impact and bring a different experience to construction work in people’s home.

What opportunities do you think there are for women working in the electrical industry?

I feel like there could be more promotion and education for girls in schools at an early stage to encourage them into the electrical industry, I don’t’ feel that girls even think of trades as an option when they’re at school. I did find it difficult to find a job as a trainee when I first started, but I have no way of knowing if it was because I was a woman, or if it was because of the recession. I like to think it was because of the recession!

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about, ie any achievements/awards etc

Women in Construction Awards 2014 Finalist

Britain’s Top Tradesman 2014 National Finalist and Highly Commended

BEST Business Women Awards 2015 – Shortlisted and Runner up

We attended a careers event at Preston Manor School in 2014 for the ‘Challenging Perceptions of Women’s Work’ for year 8 students

We wish Kelly the very best of luck for the future and hope her business continues to thrive.

If you are interested in any of the courses mentioned in this post please visit our Course Finder page.

With a skill shortage in the electrical industry, there is always the need for more sparks to train and learn the trade. This is why Trade Skills 4U is dedicated to training electricians to the best of their ability so they are knowledgeable, able and ready to enter the workplace.

We recently conducted a survey on past students who took our C&G 2365 Diploma course, dating back to 2014 to find out if they had managed to find employment within the electrical field and what area they have chosen to work in.

The results showed an astounding 87.8% of our students have indeed found employment in the electrical field. 

Whilst speaking with the students we found the majority were working as electrician’s mates or had now worked their way up to working as an electrician for contracting companies on both employed and self-employed basis. We also discovered some were working in some more niche fields such as:

Smart Meter Installation

Electric Vehicle Charging Point Installer

Army Electrician

Maintanence Manager / Electrician

Theatre / Stage Electrician

Engineer at Network Rail

Domestic Installer

Kitchen / Bathroom Installer

Media Broadcast Electrician

Many have gone onto complete their NVQ and their AM2. 

Who are our students?

We have and still continue to see a mixture of students coming through the doors at both our Gatwick and Warrington centres, with ages ranging from 18 – 65 both male and female. Some have entered the field from school knowing this is the career path they wanted to take, whilst others have decided to choose a completely different career path and retrain as an electrician later in life. Others have also taken their qualifications across the pond to Australia to start a new life and career overseas.

Aimee Dalton is 25 and currently completing her 2365 while working for an electrical company. She is coming to the end of her Level 3 and said: “I’ve found the course really interesting and the things I’ve learnt in the centre I’ve then put into practice at work. I’ve been here since September and I would definitely encourage more women to come and train as an electrician. There’s a world of opportunity out there for electricians"

How can I get qualified and will I find employment?

If you wish to work on larger commercial projects, you can study the 2365 Level 2 &3. Most people will generally find employment with an electrical company alongside completing the course. Other avenues to explore once you have completed level 3 is to register to complete an electrical apprenticeship then the AM2.

There are a variety of electrical courses available for people to consider, for example the 18 day Bronze course will enable you to work in domestic properties. Your qualification will allow you to legally install, test and inspect electrical work in existing properties or new builds. With the government’s plan to build 1 million homes by 2020 across the UK you shouldn’t struggle to find work.