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Original poster

Would it be crazy to retrain as a female electrician?

73 replies

WollyParton · 14/10/2023 05:54

The gov. Skills bootcamp are offering this as a course.

I’m 44 years old and have been working as a singer/band leader for the past decade. Sexist as this seems most women in my industry won’t be on the stage past about 50, mostly due to looks, but also due to travel and heavy lifting of speakers etc.

I really need to get a wriggle on with figuring out what my next career will be.

I definitely don’t want to be a tutor, teacher or music agent/booker.

I’m technically minded, love figuring out how things work but I prefer practical/physical to desk/office work. I would also have a ready-made client base for PAT testing (legal requirement for music electrical equipment which needs updating yearly) and might easily transition in to working in a theatre/music venue situation.

I’d be open to working in a normally male-dominated environment, but not sure I’d be cut out for building site type jobs as I’m aware they can be very male-only and not great places for women.

Is this a crazy idea? Any ideas?

OP posts:
borntobequiet · 14/10/2023 09:17

Female tradespeople can do very well, but as others have said, it’s a physically demanding job. As well as the crawling around in cramped and dusty spaces, there are bags of tools to lug up and down stairs and ladders…if you find lifting speakers difficult, you might have a problem.

mindandsensespurified · 14/10/2023 09:24

There's a female painter and decorator in our area and she's absolutely inundated with jobs - 6 month waiting list. I think in addition to being very good at her job a lot of women feel more comfortable having another woman in the house with them. I'm assuming the same would apply for a female electrician so sounds like a good plan!

Startingagainandagain · 14/10/2023 09:28

Having just had to hire someone to rewire my new house I can tell you that it is a very well paid trade and very much in demand! so are plasterers, plumbers, handymen and carpenters.

I think there is a real demand for females tradespeople too.

The only concern I would have as people have mentioned is the level of fitness as it is still quite a a physical job.

Three people worked on rewiring the house and did different bits of the work so there is always a possibly you could work in partnership with someone else for the big jobs and/or specialise in a specific part of the role.

Original poster
WollyParton · 14/10/2023 09:51

Definitely something to take in to account. Thanks for the advice

OP posts:
Original poster
WollyParton · 14/10/2023 09:53

WollyParton · 14/10/2023 09:51

Definitely something to take in to account. Thanks for the advice

That’s really helpful thanks. Will head over there and check it out

OP posts:
hellohellothere · 14/10/2023 09:54

Go for it! You possibly have decades left of work so it makes sense to do something you enjoy.

Original poster
WollyParton · 14/10/2023 09:55

Natsku · 14/10/2023 09:06

But go for it OP, there's always work for electricians, its not that rare for women to be electricians in my country at least.
I'm 37 and just started retraining in aircraft maintenance, also male dominated field but there's 4 other women on my course, one of them is around 50, and one in the teenagers class as well.

That’s amazing! Did you already have an engineering degree? I’m starting from scratch, so need to get all my ducks in a row re which route to take

OP posts:
Original poster
WollyParton · 14/10/2023 09:57

Fahbeep · 14/10/2023 08:59

Brand yourself as the singing spark, available for weddings and rewires, prices on request! Grin. Good luck!

In true creative style, I’d already decided the company name:

‘She’s Electric’

😆

OP posts:
DRS1970 · 14/10/2023 10:01

From personal experience in the industry it sounds like you would be more suited to electrical servicing or repair work, rather electrical installation. Go for it if that is what you want to do.

WeightoftheWorld · 14/10/2023 10:03

Sorry to hijack your thread OP but can you give me some pointers on what to Google to find more about training routes for this?

Natsku · 14/10/2023 10:04

WollyParton · 14/10/2023 09:55

That’s amazing! Did you already have an engineering degree? I’m starting from scratch, so need to get all my ducks in a row re which route to take

Show quote history

Nope, I have zero relevant background (I studied politics, and worked in kitchens and as a cleaner), some of the other women also have no mechanical/technical background either so we're starting from scratch and its a steep learning curve but the teachers said its not unusual at all for people to come there and retrain without any related experience. Passed my first practical exam the other day in fact!

GunboatDiplomacy · 14/10/2023 10:05

Definitely talk to your contacts in the industry about the career structure of working theatre/music electricians. Your plan to work in that area sounds like a good one: find a friend of a friend who does it already and buy them a drink.

WhatWillIWear · 14/10/2023 10:09

I would be delighted to hire a company called She’s Electric, @WollyParton.

The name and concept might even allow a slight premium on your prices. And glamorous photo shoots in Weekend newspapers!

Fahbeep · 14/10/2023 10:22

Bad news. She's Electric is already taken 🫣. If you use the Singing Spark, I'd like a small commission.

Would it be crazy to retrain as a female electrician?
Brewdug · 14/10/2023 10:24

WeightoftheWorld · 14/10/2023 10:03

Sorry to hijack your thread OP but can you give me some pointers on what to Google to find more about training routes for this?

Look on council websites as they may have some partnership apprenticeship portals. They do round here.

snurtifier · 14/10/2023 13:00

There is a big shortage of people who can repair musical equipment such as keyboards, mixing consoles, etc. If you wanted to keep one foot in the industry that might not be a bad path to choose? Not sure where you are in the country but Soundgas in Derbyshire offer apprenticeships and training in the field.

SkiingIsHeaven · 14/10/2023 13:05

@WhatWillIWear I think people like you would probably not do well in construction if you have to ask that question.

WhatWillIWear · 14/10/2023 13:10

People like me?

🤷🏾‍♀️

Barrowgirl · 14/10/2023 16:54

SkiingIsHeaven · 14/10/2023 13:05

@WhatWillIWear I think people like you would probably not do well in construction if you have to ask that question.

And people like you probably struggle to form long lasting close friendships

Original poster
WollyParton · 15/10/2023 02:55

Natsku · 14/10/2023 10:04

Nope, I have zero relevant background (I studied politics, and worked in kitchens and as a cleaner), some of the other women also have no mechanical/technical background either so we're starting from scratch and its a steep learning curve but the teachers said its not unusual at all for people to come there and retrain without any related experience. Passed my first practical exam the other day in fact!

Show quote history

Congratulations! Really inspiring

OP posts:
Original poster
WollyParton · 15/10/2023 02:56

snurtifier · 14/10/2023 13:00

There is a big shortage of people who can repair musical equipment such as keyboards, mixing consoles, etc. If you wanted to keep one foot in the industry that might not be a bad path to choose? Not sure where you are in the country but Soundgas in Derbyshire offer apprenticeships and training in the field.

Really like this idea! I’m in Portsmouth though

OP posts:
Original poster
WollyParton · 15/10/2023 02:59

Fahbeep · 14/10/2023 10:22

Bad news. She's Electric is already taken 🫣. If you use the Singing Spark, I'd like a small commission.

Aw, damn. Electric Ladyland? Meter Maid?

OP posts:
Original poster
WollyParton · 15/10/2023 03:12

Barrowgirl · 14/10/2023 06:13

What’s your personal circumstances? Ie children?

No kids…just a fur baby. My current work situation is on a gig-by-gig basis as a sole trader, which makes it doable to gradually cut down my current career while retraining.

OP posts:
Original poster
WollyParton · 15/10/2023 03:15

cryinglaughing · 14/10/2023 06:33

I started out as an apprentice electrician in 1988 but gave it up after 18 months.
Even though I was young, so fit and healthy, it was a really physical job.
I am not girly but my nails and hands just looked grim all the time.

Sounds really shallow but I just didn't want my hands looking like that.
I went down the electronics route after that.

I work as a Dolly Parton tribute act so would def have to say goodbye to the nails. I wouldn’t mind though…I find them really annoying, and they look really odd cos I mostly wear baggy jeans and sweats in real life

OP posts:
Original poster
WollyParton · 15/10/2023 03:18

Barrowgirl · 14/10/2023 06:14

Have you determined whether there is one near you and availability?

No, not yet. Still just throwing random ideas about right now

OP posts:
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