Centre: Livingston

Years with OLCI: 3

What did you do prior to becoming a plumbing and gas tutor?

When I left school in 1978 I started working in the family plumbing business and continued working there up until about 4 years ago.

What practical tips do you have for a plumber or gas engineer working on-site?

My advice is when you finish a job, always stand back and ask yourself if you’d accept it in your own home.  I’d also recommend carrying and using your own dust sheets and vacuum cleaner because it can create a good impression with the customer.

What do you like most about being a plumbing and gas tutor?

Because the course is predominately practical-based I like being able to pass on to students the knowledge and experience that I have gained over the last 30 years.

Do you have any particular tips on how to pass the practical assessments?

Gain as much information as possible during your workshops, listen to your tutor carefully, and take notes and refer to them during your practical assessment.

What’s the best thing about being a plumber and gas engineer?

I think the best thing is the variety of work that you can carry out.  You have the opportunity to expand your skills and work on new things such as renewable energy which includes solar, heat pumps, rainwater, etc. Or unvented domestic hot water which you now have to be licensed to work on.

Do you have any funny stories or experiences from working as a plumber and gas engineer that you’d like to share?

This is a true story about an apprentice I knew who, after working outside cutting a hole for a boiler flue, came back into the customer’s house through the dining room, leaving muddy footprints as he walked.  He then picked up one of the customers good dining chairs and took it into the kitchen where he used it as a stepping stool.  When the customer asked him if he’d like a newspaper to go under his feet, he duly replied “no it’s alright, I can reach from here!”

Centre: Newcastle

Years with OLCI: 2

What did you do prior to becoming an electrical tutor?

I’ve 43 years experience in the electrical/electronic engineering field. During that time, I spent 23 years working as a lecturer. Since 2000 I’ve had several jobs in industry; the last being as an electrical tester working on the new Royal Victoria Infirmary hospital extension in Newcastle upon Tyne.

What do you like most about being an electrical tutor?

Passing on my knowledge and seeing students progress from novice to experienced and giving them an opportunity to become qualified electricians. The personal reward comes from seeing a student that I’ve been training successfully set up their own business or get a job with a company.

What tips can you give for how best to prepare for practical assessments?

Students should read the theory modules and make sure the relevant units and assessments are done prior to their practical workshops. They can then work well through their practical training which will stand them in good stead for their assessments.

What’s your best practical tip for electricians working on-site?

No-one knows everything so don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’ll need to continue learning skills so you can use this as an opportunity to gain some good practical experience.

What’s the best thing about being an electrician?

Electrical work can be incredibly varied so no two days need ever be the same.

Do you have any funny stories or experiences from working as an electrician that you’d like to share?

This is a true story. When I was a lecturer the classes involved working on basic electrical theory for various trades. On this occasion it was for a group of welders. I asked a student what resistance was measured in. The reply came back as Ohms. Quite impressed he got it right, I asked him what potential difference was measured in. The reply came back as Ohms. I then asked him what current was measured in. His answer was Ohms again. I told him that all three answers weren’t Ohms. He said that he knew one of them would be Ohms, but just wasn’t sure which it was! The moral of the story is when you get the correct answer, don’t push your luck!

Name:

What did you do prior to becoming an electrical tutor?
I worked as an Electrician for an eight year period in a range of industrial and domestic areas.

What do you like most about being an electrical tutor?
It might sound a bit corny but teaching people! It’s a great motivator for me as a tutor to see a student who starts their training with minimal previous knowledge, or is having a challenge with a particular part of their practical training, and helping them build up their skills and confidence until they can do it in their sleep.

Do you have any particular tips on how to prepare for practical assessments?
Prepare effectively and understand the tasks required of you. If you’ve done these two things then you can relax and actually enjoy the experience. You will have worked on the different areas and systems already so if you just relax then you can work through a circuit or task at a time.

What’s your best practical tip for electricians working on-site?
As learners, it’s important to look, listen and observe everything that is said by the electricians you work with. They have the working knowledge and experience you need to gain.

What’s the best thing about being an electrician?
The variety of work and locations is incredible. No two jobs are ever the same so, as an electrician, you can always find interesting work of new experiences.

Do you have any funny stories or experiences from working as an electrician that you’d like to share?
I was working in a machining factory with an electrician who was connecting up some circuits in the main panel. Whilst he was working, he didn’t notice two factory workers about to use probably the world’s biggest sledge hammer to remove a large steel roller from a lathe on the other side of a metal wall. As they removed the roller, it slipped and hit the metal wall with a loud crash like a clap of thunder. My colleague was so shocked by the noise that he jumped backwards and ended up somersaulting over the machine that was behind him, before landing flat on his face. Work was halted for about 20 minutes whilst we all tried to stop crying with laughter!

Name:

What did you do prior to becoming an electrical tutor?
After completing a six year apprenticeship that covered everything from a plug top to a power station, I became a qualified electrician, carrying out work on all types of electrical installations. I then progressed through to becoming an electrical manager.

What do you like most about being an electrical tutor?
Having the opportunity to pass on my experience to the students, and teaching them the proper way to install the various installations. I enjoy watching them progress through their various exams and practical workshops to achieve the level 2 and 3 qualifications.

Do you have any particular tips on how to pass the practical assessments?
Watch, look and listen, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Read the task notes and follow the instructions. Working alongside a qualified electrician, gaining practical experience on various installations, is the best way to practise.

What’s your best practical tip for electricians working on-site?
Always be proud of the work that you do, achieving the sense of satisfaction from a job well done is priceless. Do it properly – you are a professional! Be reliable, arrive on time, do a good day’s work and abide by the relevant health and safety requirements. Be flexible in your approach and respect your fellow man.

What are the best things about being an electrician?
No two jobs are the same, they all differ in some way or another – the scope and variety mean you are never bored. Problem solving and fault finding give you a sense of achievement in your work, plus the potential to earn a good living. Also, some of the characters you meet on the job are priceless. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every day of my 47-year career and I have never been out of work.

Do you have any funny stories from working as an electrician that you’d like to share?
Hundreds of them! Here’s one but please do not try this yourself. When I first started my apprenticeship, the electrician I was allocated to said, “The first thing we have to do is see if you are suitable to become an electrician. We have to test your resistance so hold onto these test leads.” As they were connected to a meter you can imagine my reply. So he held them first whilst I operated the meter – nothing to it. So, me being the daft one, picked up the leads, and allowed him to operate the meter, not realising that it had a switch to take it from Ohms to mega Ohms – generating 500 Volts! I nearly jump out of my skin, to which he comments that “we’ll have to think about career planning – you’ll never make it if your resistance is so low!”

Remember, I was lucky this had no effect on me – never mess around or play with electricity. Treat it with respect.

Name:

1. What did you do prior to becoming a plumbing and gas tutor?
I went into a plumbing apprenticeship straight out of school – completing 5 years of hard labour!  However, in my early twenties I did go and live in Spain for 5 years developing my plumbing skills, running my own business and generally enjoying life to the full.  I came back around 7 years ago and almost immediately found my way into a further education college where I obtained my teaching certificate and assessor’s award.

2. What do you like most about being a plumbing and gas tutor?
I enjoy the interaction with students and seeing people develop their skills.  We often have people coming into our centres who are either upgrading their skills or even completely changing their career path.  It is highly satisfying to see a student leaving after having completed one of our courses successfully and with the satisfaction that they have obtained skills that can then be transferred into the workplace.  We often have past students dropping in for a cup of coffee and a chat to let us know how they are progressing within the industry.

3. Do you have any particular tips on how to pass the practical assessments?
Preparation and practice is the key.  It is very important to read all of the instructions and prepare fully before starting any practical task as this is often neglected.  If you imagine building a house – you need to ensure that the foundations are solid – it is the same with doing a practical task.  Also, buy yourself a few tools and practice at home to perfect your skills, the more you do something the better you will become.

4. What’s your best practical tip for plumbing and gas engineers working on-site?
Be prepared to undertake all tasks within your field of work and quite often a few outside – it is the best way of gaining experience.  Having experience of the smaller, more mundane tasks can often help with your understanding of the bigger tasks.  Four absolutely essential skills to take onto site: make sure you are punctual, tidy in appearance and the way you work, and make sure you do a good job for the customer.

5. Do you have any funny stories or experiences from working as a plumbing and gas engineer that you’d like to share?
During my apprenticeship, on a lazy Friday afternoon, I had been left on-site to test three houses which had just been completed by my colleagues.  I was told I could go home as soon as this task had been completed.  I ran through all three houses turning the water on as I went, thinking ‘I will soon be out of here!’  Unfortunately my colleagues were not the best of tradesmen and by the time I had managed to get back to the first house there was water pouring through the ceiling.  The same happened in the second house, and at this point the ceiling fell down in the first house, quickly followed by the ceiling in the second house.  The third house was fine!  Sheepishly, I explained the situation to the site manager and left site having turned the water off and tidied up the mess.  At this point I might add it was around half past six in the afternoon and my Friday night out was seriously on the line.  As I drove home, my blood boiling, and trying to challenge the land speed record a rather annoying police officer stepped out from behind a bush to query my driving habits.  This did nothing to quell my anger in the slightest but the moral of the story is – less haste more speed!