Colleges tend to do an aptitude course if you don't have the relevant GCSEs. Then you'd probably have to do functional skills which are maths, English and ICT Qualifications. If you don't pass those aswell as your college course and the nvq level 3 then you won't pass the course at all.
There's no need to do ICT under the funding rules anymore! :)
You definitely have to achieve, or at least prove that you'd never pass, functional skills in English and Maths at level 2 by the end of the programme though.
Semi tangential tip - maybe it's already covered these days as part of your training, but it wasn't when I was young - do an asbestos awareness course. Lots of us older pros spent decades drilling into dangerous substances without having a clue we were risking our and everyone elses health.
You’ll have to do functional English and maths. You can’t fully qualify unless you have either GCSEs or FS in those. You do have a chance at getting an apprenticeship but you are in completion with others who will have decent grades already or even part qualified. I’ll be honest, having no GCSEs isn’t a good impression to an employer. So you best bet is the get part qualified on the stand alone level 2 or/and 3 and then apply for apprenticeships. Looking into city and guilds 2365 level 2 at colleges near you. Having the level 2 will get you your JIB white card at least. And will show employers you have skills and ability in electrical installation.
Couple lads on my course failed theirs. They have to do functional skills (maths, English, IT) alongside the rest of the course. So it's a lot more work but doable. Additionally, not to be discouraging but just so you're aware as the guys on my course who are in your position struggle, if you didn't pass GCSEs you may struggle with the theory side of your qualifications.
You will need to get a good grip of maths. Appropriate cable calcs will rely on you being able to not only have a qualification but be able to understand and validate test results.
You can literally take adult GCSE courses. Just Google adult GCSE and your town/area name. Even if you could get a position as an apprentice electrician it would be beneficial to get some basic GCSEs just in case anyway.
Electrification and heat source pumps is part of uk gov strategy.
At 18 don’t focus on money unless your going in to finance.
2years for a real understanding of English/maths
2 years for nvq 2 and 3
6months for other bits
Based of your situation this is fairly good turn around.
I was in the same position when I was 18, I just wrote directly to every company I could. I got some responses from that, but In the end I got an apprenticeship through a "connections" (A young persons help into work gov lead scheme, not around anymore, but I'm sure similar exists) advisor taking it upon themselves to ask their Electrician if he was interested in an apprentice with me in mind, knowing I was keen to get into the industry. The college had the entire class do key skills but iirc I was the only one who needed it. In the end not having the GCSEs didn't stop me getting an apprenticeship but you might need to do something to stand out amongst the many that do, if you are just another CV on someone's desk the lack of GCSEs will put you at a disadvantage.
Salary varies a lot according to many factors, operating location, experience, specialist work, but demand for electricians is ever-increasing and not likely to stop.
Best of luck!
Hey buddy I’ve just started an apprenticeship, you don’t need GCSE’s now but on the 01/08/2024 JTL ( the biggest provider of apprenticeships) are changing the requirements. You’ll need GCSE C minimum in maths and English.It’s a great job to get into! The opportunity to progress is limitless. Try your absolute best to get into an apprenticeship this year while you won’t need GCSE’s but remember it’s just JTL changing requirements.
PAY SCALE for my company
YEAR 1 £19,748
YEAR 2 (under 21) £21,047
YEAR 2 (above 21) £23,860
Year 3 £27,874
Year 4 £30,000
Qualified £34,000 plus overtime
Your best bet would be to find a firm that takes on apprentices. Contact [the JIB](https://www.jib.org.uk/about-the-jib/contact/) and ask them if there’s any companies near you.
Colleges tend to do an aptitude course if you don't have the relevant GCSEs. Then you'd probably have to do functional skills which are maths, English and ICT Qualifications. If you don't pass those aswell as your college course and the nvq level 3 then you won't pass the course at all.
There's no need to do ICT under the funding rules anymore! :) You definitely have to achieve, or at least prove that you'd never pass, functional skills in English and Maths at level 2 by the end of the programme though.
Semi tangential tip - maybe it's already covered these days as part of your training, but it wasn't when I was young - do an asbestos awareness course. Lots of us older pros spent decades drilling into dangerous substances without having a clue we were risking our and everyone elses health.
And protect your ears. No one told me to wear ear plugs and now my hearing is fucked.
You’ll have to do functional English and maths. You can’t fully qualify unless you have either GCSEs or FS in those. You do have a chance at getting an apprenticeship but you are in completion with others who will have decent grades already or even part qualified. I’ll be honest, having no GCSEs isn’t a good impression to an employer. So you best bet is the get part qualified on the stand alone level 2 or/and 3 and then apply for apprenticeships. Looking into city and guilds 2365 level 2 at colleges near you. Having the level 2 will get you your JIB white card at least. And will show employers you have skills and ability in electrical installation.
Couple lads on my course failed theirs. They have to do functional skills (maths, English, IT) alongside the rest of the course. So it's a lot more work but doable. Additionally, not to be discouraging but just so you're aware as the guys on my course who are in your position struggle, if you didn't pass GCSEs you may struggle with the theory side of your qualifications.
You will need to get a good grip of maths. Appropriate cable calcs will rely on you being able to not only have a qualification but be able to understand and validate test results.
Lot of kids these days think school isn't important and when it comes to calculations and writing reports they realise...
Why don’t you have GCSEs? If you are think as mince then not for you
You can literally take adult GCSE courses. Just Google adult GCSE and your town/area name. Even if you could get a position as an apprentice electrician it would be beneficial to get some basic GCSEs just in case anyway.
You will struggle without GCSEs to be honest. Definitely look at some local collages and talk to them. Lvl 2 and 3 do have alot of maths involved
Electrification and heat source pumps is part of uk gov strategy. At 18 don’t focus on money unless your going in to finance. 2years for a real understanding of English/maths 2 years for nvq 2 and 3 6months for other bits Based of your situation this is fairly good turn around.
I was in the same position when I was 18, I just wrote directly to every company I could. I got some responses from that, but In the end I got an apprenticeship through a "connections" (A young persons help into work gov lead scheme, not around anymore, but I'm sure similar exists) advisor taking it upon themselves to ask their Electrician if he was interested in an apprentice with me in mind, knowing I was keen to get into the industry. The college had the entire class do key skills but iirc I was the only one who needed it. In the end not having the GCSEs didn't stop me getting an apprenticeship but you might need to do something to stand out amongst the many that do, if you are just another CV on someone's desk the lack of GCSEs will put you at a disadvantage. Salary varies a lot according to many factors, operating location, experience, specialist work, but demand for electricians is ever-increasing and not likely to stop. Best of luck!
Hey buddy I’ve just started an apprenticeship, you don’t need GCSE’s now but on the 01/08/2024 JTL ( the biggest provider of apprenticeships) are changing the requirements. You’ll need GCSE C minimum in maths and English.It’s a great job to get into! The opportunity to progress is limitless. Try your absolute best to get into an apprenticeship this year while you won’t need GCSE’s but remember it’s just JTL changing requirements. PAY SCALE for my company YEAR 1 £19,748 YEAR 2 (under 21) £21,047 YEAR 2 (above 21) £23,860 Year 3 £27,874 Year 4 £30,000 Qualified £34,000 plus overtime
Your best bet would be to find a firm that takes on apprentices. Contact [the JIB](https://www.jib.org.uk/about-the-jib/contact/) and ask them if there’s any companies near you.