Electricians are in high demand in the UK, but with so many qualifications available, it’s important to choose the best electrical training courses for your chosen career path.
Whether you are considering an electrical apprenticeship straight after finishing school or are looking for a career change after working in another field, in this article we offer some pointers on the top training courses for aspiring electricians or to further yourself if already qualified.
Electrical Apprenticeship
One of the most popular traditional ways to become a qualified electrician involves getting into an apprenticeship soon after finishing school. If you’re under 21 and don’t mind learning on the job, an apprenticeship is probably the best and most cost-effective routes to becoming qualified.
An apprenticeship takes 3-4 years to complete, involving 4 days per week working for an experienced self-employed electrician or in a firm of contractors, with 1 day college-based training and some homework assignments. You’ll earn a basic wage and accumulate valuable on the job experience you won’t be able to replicate in the classroom.
Alternatives To An Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships prepare trainees to become fully qualified electricians, but not everyone can take this route. Some people start considering a change of careers when they already have a job or other commitments that are not compatible with an apprenticeship schedule.
Others may not have the educational requirements needed to get into an apprenticeship. In the case of electrical training, these include 5 GCSE passes, of which 2 must be in Maths and English. Plus, not everyone can commit to a 4-year training course.
In these situations, there’s an alternative. The recommended route to become a qualified electrician without completing an apprenticeship is by signing up for one of PTT’s accredited City & Guilds electrical courses.
These courses are available to candidates of all ages and levels of experience, since they’re flexible and can accommodate a busy work and family schedule. The goal of PTT courses is to prepare students to become competent and knowledgeable electricians in the shortest time possible, without taking away the learning experience, and at an affordable cost.
What Does PTT Electrical Training Involve?
Our professional courses are comprehensive and cover all the skills and knowledge needed to become a qualified electrician. Becoming a fully qualified electrician requires you to complete the following accredited courses:
1) City & Guilds 2365 Level 2 & 3 Diplomas.
2) City & Guilds 2357 (where students build a portfolio, assessed by their employer).
3) AM2 Assessment, which evaluates theoretical knowledge and hands-on performance prior to achieving Gold Card status.
This practical electrical training route features personalised training to suit individual needs, including evening sessions for trainees who don’t have time to attend college during the day.
Specialist Electrical Courses
Our PTT specialist and bespoke courses are also considered the best training courses for mechanical engineers looking to expand their skills into electrical installations, and for professionals who have previous electrical knowledge and experience but no formal qualifications, since they address specific applications, ranging from the installation of medical electrical equipment to testing and three-phase systems.
Find out more
For additional information on our electrical training courses, please click here to download a copy of our free guide, How To Become A Qualified Electrician With PTT.
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