Artificial intelligence isn’t going to be installing fuse boxes and rewiring solar panels any time soon. The stability of the electrotechnical sector and the prospects it offers as a long-term career path are just a few reasons why more people are entering the sector for the first time. Some are even retraining from other careers.
In this article, we talk to PTT graduate Nikolay, one of the career changers and now a practising, qualified electrician. He discusses his prior experiences with PTT, his former career, and what inspired him to make the change.
What Was Your Previous Career?
Before I decided to undergo training to become a professional electrician, I was a project manager for a company that refurbished houses. I did this job for more than 10 years in the UK and France, and although it was a rewarding job, it was also stressful, and I was becoming burnt out. I wanted a career change in order to concentrate on just one thing.
What Made You Want to Become a Qualified Electrician?
I had some involvement in electrical work through my house refurbishment projects. I had a friend and colleague in the business who oversaw the work we did and certified the electrical installations for quality and safety.
About 75% of our refurbishment projects involved us having to rewire the houses, changing all the wiring and adding new consumer units and appliances. It was this friend who inspired me to follow this career (thank you!), and PTT who opened the doors to me.
I’d also touched on some areas of electrotechnical work in my agricultural engineering degree, so I already had an interest in the electrical sector.
What Made You Choose PTT for Your Training?
I looked at a few training providers but ultimately chose PTT because they were personally recommended to me by someone who had trained there. A work associate who had trained at PTT reported that they looked after their customers and the electrical courses were delivered well, too, so I took this recommendation. He was right! I enjoyed my training and have been happier in my career ever since.
What Electrical Course Did You Do, and How Long Did It Take?
There were several courses I had to take to become a fully qualified electrician. These included the City & Guilds inspection and testing course 2391, Wiring Regulations 2382, Electrical Installation 2365 level 2 and level 3, and NVQ 2357. They provide you with the hands-on experience, practical knowledge, and skills required to start your electrical career.
Additional qualifications included PTT’s introduction to three-phase and fault finding. In total, the whole process lasted from June 2021 to December 2024, and NAPIT had already taken me onboard a month prior to completion.
I also attended a half-day thermal imaging training workshop and a seminar on smart home installations.
What Was the Most Useful Skill PTT Gave to You During Your Electrician Courses?
I learnt a lot about electrotechnical engineering during my courses, but for me, testing and inspection was probably the most useful skill. This was covered in level 2. I found this topic extremely interesting, and the course included a lot of core information and practical skills that I now use daily in my work – in every single job.
This is because whenever a problem occurs, you need to know what the problem is. And when you’ve done a job, you need to be able to test your circuits. When you rewire a house, for instance, every single circuit needs to be tested and validated.
A few weeks ago, I serviced a faulty boiler. A power supply cable was severed, and the boiler had stopped working. Through the testing procedures I had been taught, I quickly discovered what the problem was – and it turned out that a rat had eaten through the wires!
What Has Your New Career Been Like Since Training With PTT?
It’s grown quite quickly, and I’m now taking on a lot of electrical jobs, building a nice list of regular clients. There are so many opportunities now to develop a specialist career as an electrician, and it’s easier to earn the same amount of money with less labour and less stress involved.
I’ve also worked on some interesting projects, including festivals. Last year I was employed by the Winters of the Worlds festival in Finsbury Square, London, to erect the electrical system across all venues, commission it, put it into service, and decommission it at the end of the festival. It was about six days in total and a fantastic opportunity to gain experience in the electrical industry.
Thanks to being able to join NAPIT, a competent person scheme, I’m in control of my certifications and am able to run my business more effectively, and my clients have that extra reassurance in the quality of my work. It has also provided me with far more opportunities for work.
Why Would You Recommend PTT for Electrical Qualifications?
Mostly because of the positive experience. The company made me feel welcome and feel good about how I was treated as a trainee, so that was the main reason I recommend them to everyone else who wants to become an electrician. PTT just felt like home, so I hope they keep up the good work.
The way the course material was set out was also important. PTT gave me the right balance of support and flexibility that allowed me to qualify as an electrician in the shortest possible time. I also appreciate how practical and knowledge-based the material was. Everything I’ve learned I’ve been able to apply directly to my work.
Find Out More
There are various electrical training routes available for those starting from scratch or transitioning from other careers.
Electrical courses at PTT combine in-centre practical training with online learning, allowing students to study at their own pace. The assessment process typically includes both online exams and practical assessments.
Our training is suitable for new entrants and those with little or no electrical experience. The hands-on learning approach means you can develop practical skills and technical knowledge in a safe, supportive setting.
To discover the benefits of our comprehensive range of certified electrical training courses for your career, please contact PTT today by clicking here.
