Initial Apprenticeship

[Ashtray]

I'm 24 and fancied swapping trades. I applied for an apprenticeship with Initial. I've been invited back to do their entrance test. I was just wondering if it's worth starting with them if I manage to pass a Maths, English and Electrical Principles test lol. There are a couple of small local Alarm/Fire firms who I have spoken with and both probably will take me on. With no Exams

So should I try and join a big national company or go with the smaller firms?

[arfur mo]

I'm 24 and fancied swapping trades. I applied for an apprenticeship with Initial. I've been invited back to do their entrance test. I was just wondering if it's worth starting with them if I manage to pass a Maths, English and Electrical Principles test lol. There are a couple of small local Alarm/Fire firms who I have spoken with and both probably will take me on. With no Exams

So should I try and join a big national company or go with the smaller firms?

Hi Ashtray,

my first thoughts are if a true apprenticeship rather than as a trainee, will the money be any good for a 24 year old? if so then to learn your trade properly that would be the best bet as you will be within a hopefully regulated enviorment.

good small firms can be fun to work for, it's on a more personal basis, usually praise wherE praise due will be given, but generally they have less time to spend on teaching you your craft. if you go with a smaller firm ensure they are registered with NSI and SSAIB that way you will/should be sure to be taught the regulations, should you later move on you will be more respected by any new employer later.

and i speak as a very small and 'unregulated' company owner

regs

alan

[mjw]

I'm 24 and fancied swapping trades. I applied for an apprenticeship with Initial. I've been invited back to do their entrance test. I was just wondering if it's worth starting with them if I manage to pass a Maths, English and Electrical Principles test lol. There are a couple of small local Alarm/Fire firms who I have spoken with and both probably will take me on. With no Exams

So should I try and join a big national company or go with the smaller firms?

Hi Ashtray

I agree with alan small companies are more personal but they may not have the time or money to fully teach you,and to be honest who ever you train with you may find the money a little low for your age,but on the flip side if you can survive on what they want to pay you its a good oppotunity to learn a trade...when i started some 18 years ago i trained with a large national conpany and we were paid quite well even though we were taken on,on the old Y.T.S scheme

but what ever you chose to do good luck

[stewymac]

I'm 24 and fancied swapping trades. I applied for an apprenticeship with Initial. I've been invited back to do their entrance test. I was just wondering if it's worth starting with them if I manage to pass a Maths, English and Electrical Principles test lol. There are a couple of small local Alarm/Fire firms who I have spoken with and both probably will take me on. With no Exams

So should I try and join a big national company or go with the smaller firms?

a national is the best place to be,even better when starting out youll get the best training etc etc..one question you will need answered tho..initial is up for sale,so where would that leave you when they get taken over???speak to some inital engineers on here..hopefully they will pm you and give you the insider info.....

ps..im not initial but they are a decent company from what ive seen...

[Stal.]

I'm 24 and fancied swapping trades. I applied for an apprenticeship with Initial. I've been invited back to do their entrance test. I was just wondering if it's worth starting with them if I manage to pass a Maths, English and Electrical Principles test lol. There are a couple of small local Alarm/Fire firms who I have spoken with and both probably will take me on. With no Exams

So should I try and join a big national company or go with the smaller firms?

I believe Initial have a highly rated and respected apprenticeship scheme with the training centre having won awards for it's apprentice training programme.

Not sure, but i think there is an age limit on when you can start.

http://www.ies.uk.com/text/pages/news.html

[darbeylad88]

I believe Initial have a highly rated and respected apprenticeship scheme with the training centre having won awards for it's apprentice training programme.

Not sure, but i think there is an age limit on when you can start.

HI IM AN APPRENTICE FOR INITIAL JUST GOING IN TO MY 3RD YEAR, WHEN I STARTED THE AGE DISCRIMINATION ACT NEVER APPLIED SO THE APPRENTISHIP WAS AIMED AT 16-18 YR OLDS

NOW ANYBODY CAN APPLY, BUT THEY STILL AIM FOR 16-18 YR OLDS, ALSO IN THE COLLEGE IN BLACKBURN ALL THE APPRENTICES ARE THIS AGE SO I WOULD SAY GO FOR THE SMALLER COMPANY FOR THE BETTER MONEY. I THING THE STARTING WAGE FOR OVER 22 APPRENTICE IS 5.35 AN HOUR BUT YOU CANT FAULT THE APPRENTISHIP REALLY ITS OK MONEY AND YOU ARE WELL TRAINED.

[Guest]

From my experience of the Initial Apprenticeship in two branches, I would say go for the local company. In my experience working as a subby for Initial the apprentices are treated like **** and basically used for surplus labour. Saying that one of the apprentices has gone through the storm and is now a fully fledged engineer and is a good bloke, there were three before him who couldn't stick it. Initial aren't the best payers in the industry either.

Working for a smaller company will give you better prospects IMO. I trained with a company in Gloucester called Gardner Security, when I began it was just the boss and his son and me!! I owe my career to the company as the training was second to none and principles I work to today some 20 years on.

When at interview with the smaller companies ask them if they have had other trainees and if they are still with the company. This may sound bizzare but do a credit check on them www.checksure.biz if they manage there cash well and are prospering, it is likely they will manage you well and be ethical.

Hope that is of some help.

Dave