Name:Giovanni Asiedu
Courses taken:City and Guilds 2365 level 2 and 3 full diploma, City & Guilds 2393 Part P
Outcome:Working in industry
We caught up with Giovanni Asiedu, following his training with Trade Skills 4U to find out how he was getting on, and are delighted to hear that he was able to start work sub-contracting and working on commercial sites just one week after completing his course and is now working his way towards being a fully qualified electrician.
What did you do before your electrical training?
Before training to become an electrician, I worked in retail for many years. After a while it felt like I was going nowhere and I wasn’t doing anything to develop myself.
Why did you decide to train as an electrician?
I didn’t want to continue working in a job where I became comfortable in an environment that didn’t challenge me, so I started looking for work that was more technical. I wanted to do something that tested my abilities, and decided to go for a complete career change. I have always wanted to learn a trade and to have the ability and knowledge to physically carry out a skill, no matter the situation I was in, or where in the world I went.
Why did you decide to take the C&G 2356 L2 & 3?
I had no previous experience, skills or qualifications to get started in the electrical trade, and there weren’t a lot of opportunities available to gain the work experience I needed.
I thought it would be a struggle to get on the job training at an entry level and most places that offered apprenticeships had age restrictions, and to even start as an electricians mate I would need some foundation of theory, practical knowledge or experience.
I knew I had to start from the very beginning, so I looked online for courses that could help me get up and running. It wasn’t long before I was directed to the Trade Skills 4U website. The site had a clear explanation of what the C&G 2365 Level 2 & 3 was, in comparison to the other electrical courses offered. It stated it would be the best course for a beginner looking to get into the electrical trade, and on completing the course I would be employable.
And that’s exactly what I was able to do. I completed my Level 2 & 3 and had the qualifications to apply for work and start working as an electrician the next week.
What are your plans now?
Having completed the C&G 2365 course I set out to continue learning and adding to the knowledge and experience I had gained, and applying all of this to my current working environment in order to work towards an NVQ and AM2 as soon as possible.
What was your training experience like with Trade Skills 4U?
For me, learning the theory from scratch was one of the most difficult parts of the course. However, I had an amazing teacher, who was so patient and determined and taught me to understand so that I found a way to make it stick.
I went from not having a clue the first few times I heard a subject, to passing all my exams with merits or distinctions the first time, and later on in the course even being able to attempt and then complete detailed coursework at home.
What is the best experience you have had so far in your new career?
Since gaining my qualifications I have been sub-contracting and working on commercial sites; including new builds and refurbishments of schools.
At first I was nervous, and work seemed daunting outside of the Trade Skills 4U centre, however taking on everything I learnt and working alongside experienced electricians I have been able to put together my new-found knowledge and practical experience in many challenging situations.
Since then, I have been confident and capable enough to work alone and complete 1st and 2nd fix work in large areas and rooms of schools.
How would you describe the facilities and training at Trade Skills 4U?
The facilities at the Crawley Centre offered specific working areas that allowed me to gain vital practical experience that helped me understand what it would be like working in the electrical trade. From working at heights setting up towers to putting up a fuse board and wiring circuits in steel conduit, and even testing 3 phase boards and fault finding on different rigs. All of this mixed in with intense theory lessons helped me reach the level of understanding I have, and use today.
Finally, do you have any advice for others wanting to train as an electrician?
I was very lucky to have been part of a great class and to have had a dedicated and patient teacher. There was a range of experience and learning levels, some had years of experience and others, like myself, had none. My best advice would be to take in as much as you can during your time training as you can learn a lot from what different people and their experiences can bring to the time shared. And of course you have an experienced and well informed group of teachers, who themselves have their own experiences you can learn from. You don’t want to regret not asking those around you for help with how or what helped them already.
It’s because of the people and teachers I met during my time training that I was able to gain such an understanding of what it is to be, and work as an electrician before I even started as one. It is these tips and lessons I have learnt that I will keep with me going forward in my new career.
We would like to thank Giovanni for sharing his story and offering his words of advice to anyone thinking of becoming an electrician. We wish Giovanni the very best of luck for the future and hope he continues to have a successful career as an electrician.
If you are interested in an electrical training course, please visit ourCourse Finderpage.
Course FinderCategories:qualifications,case study,employment,electrician
