Apprenticeships?

[Water skier 16]

Calling all business owners and current/ fairly recent apprentices.
I am trying to find an apprenticeship in either the welding and fabrication industry, the plumbing and heating industry, as an electrician or electrical engineer/ electrical fitter, and the mechanical fitting industry. The major question is i how woulld you accept an apprenticeship enquiry or if you are one how did you go about finding it?
I have tried online but no joy, it would be to start july/ september next year.
Any help greatfully recieved!!!
Cheers James

 

[madkayaker]

First thing I would recommend is make your mind up what you want to do! your current list smacks of just want a job but not sure what (which is understandable). I got my aprentership by starting at college full time to get my level 2 then get on the phone and ring everyone in your chosen field looking for a unpaid placement. Also hit the streets looking presentable and ready to go (no track suit and white trainers!) and try to talk to bosses don't get to disappointed by the large number of no you will hear but keep at it.


After you have done a bit of placement then you try to get the apprentiship by which time you have a bit of tools time, experience and a decent reference as well

 

[Water skier 16]

Thanks Madkayaker, I have limeted it to welding and fabrication, plumbing, and an electrician. I am at college doing a diploma in engineering level 3, but at the end of the day i would rather start down on the tools and work my way up than go in to the office tbh. Im leaning to the plumbing one only because i my dad is in the construction industry so i have worked alongside plumbers in the past.
Cheers James

 

[madkayaker]

Down side your going to have s once you have a level3 there will be limited funding for apprentership as you've had you bit. (Unless the rules have changed again) if you have access to the trades all ready then my advice would be use it even if your not wanting to do that for the rest of your life if you get a bit of experience and years behind you changing skill a bit is a realistic option if your prepared to get some time in where as you could be at a disadvantage of having lots of book training but no real on tools



If any of that makes sense! One of my roles when training sparks was trying to match lads to firms and the ones with degrees but no real skills struggled more than the lads with very little training but have been grafting since they were 12

 

[Water skier 16]

Thanks again! im guessing that funding it myself isnt allowed? I will speak to a local plumber I know about doing one day a week placement to help me along abit!
Cheers James

 

[madkayaker]

Funding yourself is fine but VERY expensive! Some colleges aren't interested in self funded students as its harder work than getting big buckets of money from government

 

[Water skier 16]

Whats expensive? I had about 3k a year in my head?
Cheers James

 

[biffa]

Considering you may only be on 2.60, an hour that works out at about 6k an year that would leave you about 50 quid a week left over and that only if the course costs a 3 grand

 

[Lewis Medlock]

Have a look here

http://www.alstom.com/uk/working-at-Alstom-UK/apprenticeship-academy/

 

[madkayaker]

The min wage as and apprentice is £70 a week! Alot of the funding depends on what the government are offering this year, your age and the college. Would be best to speed to them first. Full cost fees will be getting onto 3k by the time you have your technical certificate, NVQ and key skills (mopping up the bad work that many schools mad of teaching maths, English and how to use computers not to look for porn)

 

[Water skier 16]

Thanks all, the money isnt an issue, as im living at home and got zero to pay out and very understanding parents! I will go and speak to someone in the know in college today.
Cheers James

 

[F.J.]

There are some college's/training providers out there offering additional level 2 qualifications for those that have completed a level 3 in a different discipline. I used to work at a training provider delivering vehicle repair NVQ's, and for instance I might have a lad complete a level 3 qual in body repair and then go on to complete a level 2 qual in refinishing or mechanics.

Ask at the colleges you visit about additional quals, you may be in look and hopefully an employer will see the enthusiasm you have to progress.

Good luck

 

[Water skier 16]

I have spoken to the apprentiship liason officers at my college and they have said i can do an apprenticeship in plumbing without any cost to me or my future employer! All i need to do now is find an employer!
Cheers James

 

[madkayaker]

That's good to hear they change the rules a lot the learning skills council (or what ever there called this year!) lets remember that plumbing covers much more than copper pipe so if you have an interest in welding might be a good course

 

[Water skier 16]

Thanks for your help and advice, I will update this thread when there is a major development with my quest for an apprenticeship.
Cheers James

 

[Water skier 16]

quick update:
I sent around 43 letters to different plumbing and heating companies early last week and have had two replies so far, but no job offer yet. third time lucky?
Cheers James

 

[Josh0109]

http://careers.doosanpowersystems.com/careers/TGSAdvancedApprenticeship.aspx

Have a look on there applications start in February I think. I'm in my last year as a pipefitter.

 

[Water skier 16]

Thanks, but the whole point of me trying to get a plumbing/ heating apprenticeship is to stay in cornwall.
Cheers James

 

[Josh0109]

Most of the time I've stayed quite local to where I'm from, furtherest I've had to go is about 45/50 miles. Get good training aswell and engineering constructions a good trade to be in at the minute.