If you wanted to be an electrician.

[19andrew59]

G'day all,
The young bloke's deciced he wants to be an electrician, sick I know 'cause I'm one. He wants to do his TEE (next two years) and see how that pans out. As it's been 30 years since I started, has anyone got an idea as to what subjects would be the best for him to study at school for years 11 and 12? I'm thinking English, Maths and D&T (Metal) plus ??? Bear in mind that should he get a decent TEE, he may decide to go on to further education, doing what he doesn't know. We've got an appointment with the careers counsellor next week, but I've never had a great deal of faith in advice from people who've never done it.
Thanks,
Andy

[shmoo]

I would strongly urge him to go ahead with some higher education if he does well enough in TEE. In 5 or 10 or 20 years when boom time has been and gone, he'll be well pleased that he did the commerce/medicine/law degree.

[Jedi]

Although it might not necessarily help him specifically in his career I urge you to talk to him about taking Economics, really will help him get a better understanding of the world.

Engineering wants to see Applicable maths, Calculus, Physics &/or Chemistry with a TER of 84 for UWA entrance, that's probably all my useful information.

[Danger Mouse]

husband did his electrical trade in the navy.... Math...english and science is the way to go I think..

[phildo]

Keep in mind that skills for work/career are good, but it's all going to be partly wasted if he doesn't understand money and how to manage it.

So, don't overlook economics and accounting. If he understands how money works and flows then hopefully he'll be able to do well at retaining some of the stuff (and not get conned by bullshitters).

[GSXR Girl]

I would think he should do maths/science subjects if he can. However I am not and have never been good at the electrical side of things... nearly failed that stuff at uni

But I would think do the highest level maths he can and physics if it interests him and whatever else he is keen on.

In my experience it seems that for a lot of guys the best way to go is to do the trade first get out and start getting money and the life and when you figure out what you want to do go back to uni and do it then....
The guys at uni that were mature age students and there were quite a few of them that were electricians first and then went to study electrical engineering. They were the ones that had the experience and commitment to do it and not waste a year drinking. But that is just my experience.

I wish him all the best. But whatever he decides it seems that careers these days only last five to eight years so, if he changes his mind after he has done if for a little while - no big deal

[g0zer]

math, physics and computer science

a lot of experienced electricians in industry end up crossing into maintaining process control systems as well. computer literacy is an advantage.

[Drach]

definitely recommend physics, just to appreciate how the world works.
Economics to understand how the economy affects him, and appreciation of money matters

Maths, if he is that way inclined would be applicable maths. calculus if he wants to go engineering (which i recommend btw )

[Maxo]

I'm thinking English, Maths and D&T (Metal) plus ???

???= physics.

Given the higher education option, whats he interested in?

[19andrew59]

Thanks to all for the input, gives me something to base it on.

???= physics.
Given the higher education option, whats he interested in?

Maxo, he doesn't know. He's talked about IT, but?
He's a bright kid, but the motivation is somewhat lacking, something
reflected in his current grades.
I've suggested to him that if he goes the electrician route, I'll train
him up in drafting (plus TAFE courses) at the same time.
At least that way, he'll come out the end with a couple of immediate options and he can see what he wants to do from there. If he does go for sparky,
it'll probably be up in Newman doing mining/construction/residential, so at
least he'll have a decent grounding across the trade. Plus, I'll be his supervisor
which'll give me more opportunity to annoy him.

[GSXR Girl]

If he is thinking of IT but isn't sure.... in my opinion not the best idea. I now have a brother who has a pretty much worthless IT degree because he did it but never worked in the field because he decided at the end of the three or so years that he wanted to be a diesel fitter so is now paying of HECs on a degree which he will more than likely never really benefit from.

That said I did engineering which I wasn't too sure about and love it (well sometimes).
So take my comments above with a grain of salt just my 2c.

[FireStorm]

A trade is a good thing. Sure enough this boom will end soon but once you have a trade you can go do whatever "higher" educational stuff you like and always have something to fall back on if you don't like it.

I used to help lecture electrical apprentices at Thornlie TAFE. He will need basic maths (the ability to use a scientific calulator and to transpose formulas easily), basic physics (understanding electron flow and conventional flow) D&T is very handy if he can use tools and know which tool is used for what purpose then he is way ahead of the pack already.

He won't need TEE level subjects to cope with his TAFE studies it is the highest trained trade but it's not electrical engineering level. Biggest thign he will neeed is the ability to do what he is told when he is told and not have to be told 10 times. Not having a smart mouth and an attitiude hepls aswell.

[sathid]

If he is capable of doing well in the TEE, then I'd suggest doing that. It would be better to do it and then decide he didn't want to go to uni, than to not do it and discover he no longer has the option.

When the boom dies off, the tradies will get hit the earliest and hardest. If it is of any consequence, walking out of Uni with an engineering degree can get you $70k working in Perth (depending on type), and $100k or higher working away, not incuding bonuses. Plus they say at the moment it is taking 5 years to start earning at a level it used to take 20 years.

It's tough going through uni watching everyone on the outside making money, but it's worth it in the end. Plus you can pretty much work anywhere in the world with an Eng degree from Australia, and earn good money doing it.

Am I biased? of course not.