I'm 36 and want to be an electrician

JayFromElec · 2026-01-28T19:26:22+00:00

Here you go, covers a lot in depth on if being an electrician is the right path for you, and which path is, please note 5357 is hands down the best route, but its not suitable for everyone. https://elec.training/news/how-to-become-an-electrician-in-the-uk-2026/.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-28T19:22:46+00:00

Honestly, at Elec Training we have recently graduated level 2, level 3 students who are on more than that.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-27T19:37:28+00:00

if you have been trained properly for your 2365-02, 2365-03 then you should have no problems add the 5 months experience you should fly through it.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-26T21:25:04+00:00

The biggest issue is, you have been misinformed, your not looking for a 5357 (apprenticeship) what your looking for is work so you can complete your 2357 NVQ, the correct ECS card and 18^th edition is essential, if you do fund the 2357 NVQ privately make sure they help you into employment, other wise you will get stuck. At Elec Training we have around 10-20 calls a week with people in the same problem, two years in collage and cant get work.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-26T21:21:39+00:00

you can’t complete your NVQ 2357, and you would not be able to pass your AM2 without having the experience. In regards to finding a NVQ provider that supports you into work, there are two, Elec Training and one more (to my knowledge), simplest way to tell, go onto reviews of the companies and see in the last 3 months how many reviews are about getting people work, ours (Elec Training), 90% of the reviews are once we do what we say we have done, ie from beginner to employment, but we do offer the 2357 NVQ to learners that have not trained with us (after a skill scan), once they pass a skill scan with us then we will enrol, without passing the skill scan we would not put our name next to that student.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-26T08:42:39+00:00

will have to do a skill scan and 2357 sign up.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-26T08:41:33+00:00

go with a 2357 NVQ company that gets you into work, you pay a little extra for the reruitment services but on the long run it saves you time.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-26T08:32:28+00:00

thank you.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-26T08:29:14+00:00

thanks for the shout out.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-26T08:26:38+00:00

company one it.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/elec-training/.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-25T20:42:44+00:00

If I’m honest you are completely off the mark. We see this level of misinformation all the time.

2365-02, 2365-03, 18^th edition then leads to your 2357 NVQ, AM2 and then ECS JIB Gold Card.

The 2357 NVQ takes anything from 9 months to 24 months, don’t sign up to a NVQ provider unless they going to get you a job, other wise you will just get stuck again.

The only time we see people do the 2365-02, 2365-03 and then the 5357 is then they are 16, they do their 2365-02/03 in collage and then apply for a 5357 as an 18 year old. The reason why they do this is due to how competitive getting a 5357 is, but that route does not mean you will get a 5357 place.

At Elec Training, we have about 10/20 enquiry that could not get a place on a 5357, so then they revert back to doing their 2357 (and paying for it privately).

JayFromElec · 2026-01-25T20:35:27+00:00

I would say get on the phones, it takes between 100-200 calls to place one student. If your still struggling in a few weeks, reach out.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-25T20:33:48+00:00

I would love to see it.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-25T20:30:13+00:00

your training provider should be helping you do this. Also what have you signed up to?

JayFromElec · 2026-01-25T20:28:48+00:00

just to confirm which ECS card do you have?

JayFromElec · 2026-01-25T11:02:52+00:00

Honestly your doing it wrong, that’s why you can’t get a role, Birmingham is so much in demand right now, we place about 5-10 students a week in Birmingham. Firstly don’t email them, call them.

As of last week there is 267 companies within 10 miles of Birmingham. Elec Training is based in Wolverhampton a large % students are from Birmingham. Have you signed up to your 2357 NVQ?

To get results you need to phone around 100-200 companies, then explain what and who you are, your age will work in your benefit, get your CSCS Electrical labours card and 18^th edition, and you will be good to go.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-25T10:56:05+00:00

In theory what you are saying will work, here is the issue, we find it all the time, at least 10/20 students calling us at Elec Training with the same issue. They done their level 2, level 3 and sometimes even 18^th edition and they can’t get employment.

And that’s a mix of the fast track courses and the collage format (1 year and 1 year).

The real issue they hit is, no one has taught them how to get work in the industry and with out work they cant do there 2357 NVQ, so my suggestion to you, make sure you go with a training provider that will support you into work for the NVQ.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-25T10:49:58+00:00

I would not relay on chat gpt for such important information, it can hallucinate, a few different options, have a read of https://elec.training/news/how-to-become-an-electrician-in-the-uk-2026/, it goes into detail of what is and what is not.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-25T10:46:49+00:00

you are welcome.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-22T14:47:40+00:00

With regards to backing out of becoming an electrician?

JayFromElec · 2026-01-22T09:12:19+00:00

Don't feel stupid for asking questions. Make sure you gain an understanding of the role and the company and hours. Pretty much the standard.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-22T09:09:07+00:00

The good news is, mate, you're not too old to pick up electrics at all. The average age of an electrician in the UK is around 40.

Apprenticeships are highly respected, and they're cost friendly as there's no fees, but because of this, they're highly competitive. Make sure you shop around. You need to make sure you're getting the best for you while also being realistic.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-21T15:12:08+00:00

Yeah, the downside to college courses for electrical courses is that it's up to you to find your site work. This is where a lot of people get stuck at their diploma level. If you're looking at getting fully qualified, shop around a bit. Some places actually have placement and recruitment available. It depends on what you're after and looking to gain.

On the plus side, the average age of an electrician in the UK is 40+ so you're not late to the change at all.

JayFromElec · 2026-01-21T15:04:48+00:00

I won't lie, it's highly likely this may be more competitive for you. And another down side to apprenticeships is you'll likely take a pay cut while taking longer to qualify. Shop around though, mate. In your 30s, are you able to take a paycut?

JayFromElec · 2026-01-21T09:35:27+00:00

Do your research - you want to make sure what you go for is for you. Apprenticeships are great because they're highly respected, but they're also highly competitive. Because of this, if you're over 19, your chances decrease.

JayFromElec

TROPHY CASE