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When I was at secondary school, I had three clear career paths in mind: become a Police Constable (now a police officer), become a Paramedic (a job role so new to the UK at the time that my careers advisor hadn’t even heard of it), or become a teacher.
Accompanying a good friend to a Youth Training Scheme (YTS) open day brought about a chance meeting with the then Construction Industry Training Scheme (CITB), who set the seed for me becoming an electrician, not at that time part of the YTS scheme. Forms were filled in, aptitude tests were undertaken, and interviews were completed, resulting in my 4-year JIB Indentured Apprenticeship and the start of my varied and diverse career.
At the time, I had not realised that my education would formally continue. I enjoyed my time at school but did not think sixth-form college was the right fit for me. I had been an average student to that point, and although I failed to secure any A’s in my GCSEs (the first year to transition from the old ‘O’ Levels), I had done well, which was a much-needed boost to my confidence.
My employer at the time was supportive of education and improvement. After completing my 236 Part 1 and 2, I was allowed to continue my education to my C (Technicians) Certificate before finishing the last year of my BTEC ONC and then on to HNC. By this time, electrical qualifications were coming online thick and fast. I took my Wiring Regulations exam and then my Design and Verification course while completing Inspection and Testing and Portable Appliance Testing.
Added to the mix was my Open University Degree in Engineering, IOSH Managing Safely, NEBOSH Certificate and then Diploma and then on to Teacher Training and Assessors Awards, along with many Continuing Professional Development training, leading to becoming a Duty Authorised Person and Authorising Engineer. Finally, my interests would be honing my pre-hospital emergency medical care skills as a responder and an event and incident manager.
It may appear that I have evolved several skills with little relevance to each other; however, by continuing my education, I have been able to develop skills and understanding that have put me in a unique position and helped me to get where I am today.
When dealing with clients, I can relate to their issues as I often have experience of their world. As a trainer, I can relate theory to real-life examples and offer guidance on the ‘what ifs’. I have been in pressure situations where I have had to manage a flood of conflicting information and make decisions rapidly that could have gone terribly wrong. I understand what forms competence and how to assess whether people meet the criteria set down. I can apply what I have learned, both in the classroom and out in the field, to a range of situations, with my health and safety training and my medical skills contributing towards education, assessing and advising the electrical industry at large, and clients who need an empathic solution to their unique circumstances.
Has my education and training now concluded? Not a chance! My learning journey continues at full speed, although how I achieve this might have changed. I am no stranger to distance learning, but the abundance of distance learning options now means that my studies can be completed on the move. Recently, I needed to update my understanding of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, and I completed my training in comfort whilst travelling the North East Rail Line, time which otherwise would have been spent looking out of the window of the train. Many online videos are available, with some excellent content to help me stay abreast of advancements in technology- the most recent development being a socket outlet that can detect temperature, possibly making recently introduced AFDDs redundant. This got me thinking about the rush to introduce Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) for energy reduction. This technology has since been entirely replaced by LED lighting, another area where ongoing training is required.
Becoming an Authorised Person enabled me to understand the necessity of a sound electrical safety management system. My existing health and safety background meant that I had a good ‘Heli view’ of how electrical safety management sat within good health and safety management, good management and good quality management. Of course, I understood the benefits of auditing. My medical training meant I could apply what I had learned to managing abnormal circumstances and ensuring that situations were adequately controlled and damage was limited. With my technical understanding, particularly of large and complex distribution systems, I was able to evolve into an Authorising Engineer role.
Returning to the start of my article, my career may have been a hap-hazard, which in some ways is true. Still, I have developed my career by continuing my education and taking the opportunities presented. I certainly achieved my original intention to become a teacher- I continue to educate those in the industry who are thirsty for knowledge. I also moved into the emergency services, often working alongside police and fire services and being an active Emergency Medical Technician- although there’s nothing better than providing first aid services at a summer fete with ice cream.
Why do I need to keep on top of my training and experience? The world is rapidly changing, and standards are consistently updated and re-aligned. There is a constant push from emerging technology to enter the market, and some tried and tested methods have become obsolete. For example, there have recently been tremendous changes with protection devices, necessary as we have moved away from being consumers of electricity and becoming prosumers. The use of direct current in our everyday lives is increasing, and there is a soaring need to protect sensitive electronic components embedded in our systems. Protective Earthed Neutrals (PEN conductors) have, in recent years, had to be reconsidered to ensure that existing potential issues regarding broken PEN conductors do not introduce electric shock risk, namely with regard to electric vehicles. RCDs have taken on a whole new life, with different types being introduced to deal with longstanding but often ignored issues relating to D.C. Interference. Fire, the contribution of electrical systems to the spread and consequence of fires and preventing the premature collapse of those systems has also introduce a new world of training to ensure that we remain current.
What might your training plan look like? Some may have a definite career path in mind while staying on top of the game is most important for others. Training could be centred around the technical aspects of the electrical industry or may be focused on mastering project management, honing leadership skills, or becoming a great teacher to pass on your knowledge to our future. Whether we are looking to progress or are content with what we are doing, continuing education is vital to ensure you are not left behind. Training might focus on maximising productivity or completing your job effectively, and it may develop your skills to solve technical problems and build your career path. Training may be required to meet statutory and mandatory requirements, improve institutional knowledge or enhance leadership and interpersonal skills. Your training could demonstrate how your employer invests in its workforce.
Knowing where you are and where you want to go and identifying training programmes that can help you get there. This must be discussed with your employer, with one-to-one meetings being an ideal time to raise what you want and the benefits of doing so. Your employer may be receptive to such planning and forethought and can incorporate your plan into their company or business development programme. Importantly, don’t forget the training you need to undertake to remain current, as technology and standards changes can affect your performance, and skills fade, which could bring about problems in the future.
Plan your training! Once your training needs have been identified, it is essential to ensure that they are addressed. Don’t plan to do everything simultaneously; this will quickly become overwhelming, and you will soon abandon the plan. Be realistic about what you set out to do and ensure that you make the best use of all the training methods that are available to you. Your training should be SMART- Specific, Measured, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound. Don’t be afraid to apply your learning; review its impact and refine your work.
What form could the training take? Training could be broadly separated into four groups: on-the-job training, classroom-based training, eLearning, and blended learning. Training could be theory-based or practical in content. Some training will be directly taught, whilst others will be directed, and you must undertake some element of self-study. Courses might be aligned to a national syllabus, often accredited by a professional body, whilst other training might be bespoke and delivered in-house. Training does not stop there. You should maintain your Continued Professional Development (CPD) by critically evaluating industry-relevant articles and technical papers and taking an interest in the available industry news. Social media and the internet can offer a great source of information; however, verify the credibility of the sources before accepting all of the information presented through these sources. Reflective practice is a good way of recognising your strengths and your weaknesses.
What about the law? Regulation 16 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 requires persons who work on or near electrical systems to be competent. Specifically, they must have the knowledge and experience to undertake work without introducing danger. Importantly, it is the employer who determines competence; the employee must ensure that they do not work negligently.
