Name: Sergeant Sean Williams McDowell (RAF)
Course: 20 day Bronze course plus PAT Testing.

After coming to the end of a 30 year career in the RAF, having served in many different countries and taken part on several operations, Sergeant Sean McDowell decided to find out what he needed to do to retrain in a trade to prepare himself for when he leaves the RAF next year.

Sean contacted Trade Skills 4U and following a discussion with one our Course Advisors decided to take our Bronze Domestic Installer Course and PAT Testing Course. As part of his resettlement package Sean was able to fund his courses in part with the MOD’s Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC).

I spoke to Sean to ask if he would be kind enough to share his training experience with us and to let us know what his plans are for the future.

Why did you decided to retrain as an electrician?

After 30 years of being in the RAF, I wanted to move into something I enjoy doing and as I’ve always had an interest in DIY I thought I’d take the plunge and get properly qualified in a trade.

Why did you decide to take the Domestic Installer Course and how has this helped you?

I chose this course as it fitted not only with what I could use my Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) for, but also what I wanted from a course.

What are your plans now you have completed your course?

I’m due to leave the RAF in December 2018, and now that I’ve completed my course I can start to ‘cut my teeth’ on doing domestic work. Coupled with a bathroom installation course next year I should have a good extensive skillset to take me forward in future ventures.

Please tell us about your training with Trade Skills 4U. What were your best bits, difficult bits, interesting bits?

The course was full of interesting content; made all the better by the course tutor who has such an extensive knowledge of the trade and all its intricacies. The mix of students was good also, with many varied backgrounds and different aspects they all brought to the course.

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

In a word – excellent!

What would you say to someone thinking about training with Trade Skills 4U?

I would say don’t even hesitate! Get online or ring Trade Skills 4U and get enrolled – do it now!!

What are you planning on doing in the future?

In the future I would like to set up my own property maintenance business serving my local villages and towns, and enjoy every challenging job that comes my way!

I also intend to use my ELC’s coupled with my resettlement entitlement next year to do further courses and am interested in taking the Solar PV course with Trade Skills 4U.

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

Have lots of Post-its! Be willing to listen and apply what you’re shown but don’t ever be afraid to ask.

We would like to thank Sean for sharing his training experience with us and wish him the very best of luck in his future ventures.

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