Thread: Dual Trade

A very sensible approach, goodluck with your trade training.

John.

Thanks for the support.

Did some more research and the tafe that offers to course only provides block release, meaning either long travel for 3 days straight, or paying for accommodation in the area. And after speaking with my boss i would be required to make up the hours i dont work elsewhere. (turns out trying to futher your education isnt seen has a benifit by the employer ). Not looking good so far.

I don't know what happened to this thread.
The first post seems to be an answer to preceeding questions which I can't see.

From what I can gather you have questions regarding dual trade qualifications.

Namely Electrical / Refrigeration.

I am qualified in both of these and say go for it.

Cheers, Jack

Jack,

Thanks for the reply, how did you go about getting licenced in both?

I started a little bit differently.

I was A fitter first back when they were all under 1 hat ie. electrical and mechanical. Shortly after being awarded that trade it was split back into electrical and mechanical again so i went towards the mechanical side.

During that time I had the opportunity to do the refrigeration course at tafe, most of the modules I had recognition of prior learning so that left me only 4 months full time to do.

I was lucky enough to be able to consolidate my time as a fridgey while being employed as a fitter so after 4 years i was then awarded my fridgey trade.

Licensing is no problem when you have the appropriate tickets.

After working as a fitter for a few years, being a fridgey is a dream job.

Thanks for the replies,

I have spoken more with my boss, and am still very interested in trying to do the course. I realise there are a few obstacles in the way, but like others have said, you need to make sacrifice if you want to get anywhere.

So at the moment my best option for making up the time spent at tafe would be to forfeit my pay for that day. Also im seeing if the course is available by correspondence, if not i will make arrangements for travel.

I havnt given up just yet.

Hey I'm not really following this thread too well either ... but other things are definately available by corro ... such as electrical engineering? Or business (plenty of tradies could do with that ... whoop, sorry).

Something like eng would really be challenging but it is a huge amount of work.

I may be way off track ... but just a thought.

Hey I'm not really following this thread too well either ... but other things are definately available by corro ... such as electrical engineering? Or business (plenty of tradies could do with that ... whoop, sorry).

Something like eng would really be challenging but it is a huge amount of work.

I may be way off track ... but just a thought.

Thanks for the reply obob, engineering is something im considering also.

Did some more calculations and worked out how much money id actually be losing each week and im not sure it would be worth it in the long run, even though i may make it back if i worked for myself, but wouldnt if i continued working for others.

hmm, decisions... lucky ive got about a year left to work out what im going to do.

I guess the problem with eng is the cost also ... great that you are trying to come up with a plan. That already puts you way ahead.

Thats true, and i have to look at how useful and practical doing the course would be to me. The place i live now(and want to live for a long time) doesnt have a high or even moderate demand for electrical engineers.

Originally Posted by cross

how did you go about getting licenced in both?

I worked for the government at the time and completed both apprenticeships concurrently.

I have considered engineering but find it painful enough dealingwith the majority of them now, let alone becoming one

Like I said before, I missed the start of this post.
Are you just after a change or don't like being a sparky.

There are many aspects to the electrical trade and a change within the trade might be change enough.

Cheers, Jack

My Original Post:

Hey everyone,

Just after some advice. Im currently in the 3rd year of my electrical apprenticeship, and am considering doing the refrigeration and air conditioning course once i complete the electrical. My boss has the dual trade and we do both kinds of work. However doing the course would mean i would have to sacrifice holidays, money, or work weekends to make up the time i spend at tafe.

Anyone been in a similar situation or have some thoughts/advice?

Thanks,

Cross.

I have considered engineering but find it painful enough dealingwith the majority of them now, let alone becoming one

Haha, Ive heard similar things from a few people.

Like I said before, I missed the start of this post.
Are you just after a change or don't like being a sparky.

There are many aspects to the electrical trade and a change within the trade might be change enough.

I am happy being a sparky, but has i said, our company does both which means im required to do both weather i like it or not. So if i have to do it i thought it made sense to get qualified. But at this point that is proving to be a fairly difficult option.

Originally Posted by cross

our company does both which means im required to do both weather i like it or not. So if i have to do it i thought it made sense to get qualified. But at this point that is proving to be a fairly difficult option.

If you are required to do both then your boss would be silly not to do everything he can to have you qualified.

Once you are a qualified sparky he would be able to put you on as a mature age apprentice to do the refrigeration trade.

He would get government rebates and it probably wouldn't end up costing him anything at all.

Cheers, Jack.