If an apprenticeship appeals to you as the next natural progression after leaving education you will most likely want to find out more about the various apprenticeships on offer. Many students consider this option as perhaps they no longer wish to stay in full time education but at the same time do not have the ability or experience to do the job they would like to do. They are unable to get a foot in the door without this previous experience. An apprenticeship subject entered into in increasing numbers every year is electrical engineering.
For an apprenticeship qualification in electrical engineering you will need to between the ages of 16 and 24. You will have the choice of taking the qualification at level 2 or 3, depending on if you want to take the advanced levels contained within level 3, this can last for up to 4 years if taken on a full time basis. Apprenticeships are usually free as they are funded by the employer and the training organisation.
You will need to be able to demonstrate basic maths, English and science skills. A significant proportion of the work will take place working within a team so you will need to be able to take instructions and have reasonable people skills. You will need to be good with your hands.
The usual pattern is to spend four days a week in the job, learning new skills and completing tasks. With one day a week at college. In the workplace you may be required to work alone or as part of a team assisting in the various stages of an electrical installation. You will occasionally be expected to travel with a colleague to various properties to carry out onsite work for customers.
As it will be a full time position working hours will be 40 per week. Being an apprentice you will be working with a qualified technician, or as part of a team. You will always be under supervision. The job of an electrical engineer will expose you to a variety of different projects and places to work, ideal for the sort of person who can get bored easily. As an apprentice your employer will sponsor you to attend college for one day a week in order for you to be able to get your qualification.
Your apprenticeship will be complete when you and your employer, and the training organisation can all agree that all of modules in the training programme have been completed. Subsequently you will receive a certificate to state that you have completed your training.
If you have found that the training is taking a little longer than expected this can be accommodated for as the training is flexible and there is no rigid time frame for it to be completed within. Once you have completed your apprenticeship you will be able to work as an electrical engineering technician, either on a self-employed basis or within a company.
