Page 1 of 2
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:33 pm
by sbhoy1
hi, just looking for some advice. i would like a change of career from electrician into hard landscaping, just wondering wot quals are needed or courses that would be usefull and if there are adult training schemes etc.
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:43 pm
by ilovesettsonmondays
if i was you .i would stay as an electrician(better wages in general if working for a company ,less heavier work etc) buts that's just my opinion .
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:49 pm
by ilovesettsonmondays
quals arent really needed .gaining on site experience is the key getting on site or working with a paver who does private work is .start from the bottom and take in everything a paver does .ask questions .nvq in paving is a waste of time.just a money spinner .not worth having in my opinion. i would say it would take you at least two years to be paving to an aqverage standard at least.
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:00 pm
by sbhoy1
I know i would be droppin money but ma heart aint in it. decided that im def gonna jack it in and hard landscaping is somethin that interests me.done a few diy jobs over last few years and really enjoyed it. i realise it would be different doin it day in day out , any info on getting started would be apprieciated, its more gardens ie patios etc im interested in
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:18 pm
by ilovesettsonmondays
i think you need to try and get a labourers job with a paving company first or civil engineering company and learn the basics for a while .i went to college on day release over 25 years ago. i learnt more from working the other 4 days of the week to be honest.do you have any friends who do paving who you could learn from.how old are tou bye the way .20s,30s 40s etc
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:29 pm
by ilovesettsonmondays
2 day paving course 300 quid www.ableskills.co.uk
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:39 pm
by sbhoy1
im 30,dont know any1 in this line of work but might phone round local companies, see wot they have to say. thanks for the replies mate
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 10:17 pm
by GB_Groundworks
are you sure, nice cosy job inside fitting down lighters as opposed to this
4 hours of it this afternoon, its bloody june. proper p*ssing it down hard wetting rain, i have a degree in computer science used to work out in munich for a $120bn dollar it firm, managed 2 years didn;t like being in an office all day, missed the hard work. now run my own firmor work for my dads building firm.
rain today
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 11:02 pm
by matt h
great weather for the ducks,lol just managed to brick up the gable on the house i was working on today before the deluge began..carried on inside plumbing in the central heating system...great when you can get two jobs done on the same day..with weather ideal for both...after all who wants to be fitting central heating when the sun is shining...rather be diggin trenches or laying slabs then. Am I hearin right..a sparky who wants to graft?...The union will want to have somat to say about that...lol:D 
Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 7:09 am
by lutonlagerlout
you must be crazy dude to want to swap from sparks to this
we get 1 month spring 2 weeks summer and 6 weeks autum the other 9 months is winter
most of us here do this work by default
I.E. our dad's did it or we didnt put the effort in at school
try a DIY project first and see what you think then
LLL
Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 8:40 pm
by seanandruby
I can see where your coming from. i love the work personally, you have to, to put up with the rigours of our weather. I would advise you keep your job for now and try to gain experience when and where you can, save up, do some courses and read up on it all. good luck 
Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 8:45 pm
by ilovesettsonmondays
wise words :;):
Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 9:30 pm
by sbhoy1
like i said my heart aint in it and dont want 2 be sittin in 5 or 10 years wishin i had done somethin about it. im in the middle of doin a patio round the back 30m2 , built a retaining wall then back filled compacted it then 100mm type 1just got to choose the slabs now and build the wall up a bit higher. got a fright at the cost of slabs right enough
Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 9:38 pm
by seanandruby
We've all been there, wanting to do something different. But i can honestly say ( hand on heart ) that i have never wanted to be a sparky. When our game is good it is great. Okay, i agree we have a bit of rain now and again, some snow etc: But in the summer we ( at least i do) get satisfaction from getting up early and getting out amongst it. 4.15 might be early for some of you but i know a few of you are on here when i sign in most mornings at that time. Testimony, i think, for your dedication to our game. know any sparks who would do that? :;):
Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 8:38 am
by henpecked
Could probably make a really good go of it as most landscapers dont have a clue about electrics. Most installs want up-lighters and posts , which calls for an outside sparks to come in.
I'd say do it, the momentum create by doing something you really want to do will carry you for a few years at least
Hp