If you’re sitting there wondering, ‘Can I become an electrician at 40? ’, you’re not alone. Many people consider a career change to electrician around midlife, and many people will share the same concerns as you.
To immediately answer your questions about becoming an electrician at 40:
- Yes, you can become an electrician later in life
- Yes, you can do electrician training while working
- Yes, you can retrain as an electrician at 40 without doing an apprenticeship
In this realistic guide, we look at the electrician qualifications to succeed in the industry, how to train as an electrician and what that pathway looks like on an adult electrician course, so you have a clear idea about how to become an electrician at 40.
Am I too old to become an electrician?
You can become an electrician at 40, or 50, or 62, for that matter, as there is no inherent age barrier to an electrician career change. You don’t need to be a school leaver starting an electrical apprenticeship; you need the relevant qualifications and practical experience – Level 2, Level 3, NVQ, AM2, and 18th Edition. All of which can be done at 40. None of which has an upper age limit.
That said, due to the nature of the work, it can be physically demanding at times. It’s not an age restriction; it’s a practical consideration at any age.
Why retrain as an electrician at 40?
Life begins at 40, as the old saying goes, but all jokes aside, there are many reasons why people look to change careers at 40. It’s often a point where people reevaluate where they are in their career and how that lines up with their definition of success.
Money? Job security? Purpose? Regardless of the underlying driver, the challenges you might encounter when you start to consider retraining as an electrician are likely to be similar. Anyone embarking on a career change will be asking themselves: is becoming an electrician worth it?
Behind that question, there’s a lot of weighing up while you work out what’s involved in getting qualified, how long does it take to become an electrician, how much it will all cost, and how quickly you will find work in the industry to start earning.
Getting qualified: electrician training for adults
There are many training options to look at if you’re considering a mature student electrician course, but there are industry-standard qualifications and technical training to consider that form a pathway into the industry: Level 2, Level 3, 18th Edition, NVQ Level 3, AM2.
Electrician courses for adults need to offer flexibility. Adults are often juggling priorities with work, family life, caring commitments, and financial responsibilities, so a part-time electrician course or a home study electrician course could be the only viable option.
For new entrants (new entrants is the term for anyone starting from scratch), this example pathway shows a technical training and qualification route through to becoming an electrician.
Level 2
Start with a Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installations (City & Guilds 2365-02). This is aimed at newcomers who don’t have experience or qualifications yet. It provides the foundations in electrical theory, wiring regulations and practical installation skills.
Level 3
The next step is a Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations (City & Guilds 2365-03). This is where the training gets more advanced, covering electrical science, fault diagnosis, inspection and testing, and installation design,
18th Edition
Although you’ll already be working with and applying wiring regulations in your training, the 18th Edition Course (City & Guilds 2382-26) makes sure you have a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of the latest UK wiring regs.
NVQ Level 3
The NVQ Level 3 in Electrotechnical Technology (City & Guilds 2357) is a work-based competence assessment, so you need to be out working in the industry to complete this part of your training. It’s during this time that you’ll gather a portfolio of evidence of your work to prove that you have the skills and knowledge to work safely and competently as an electrical installation engineer.
The Level and Level 3 qualifications show that you’ve done the training. The NVQ Level 3 qualification shows that you can do the work.
AM2 assessment
The final step in the electrician training pathway is completing the AM2, where you’re assessed on a series of electrical tasks to make sure you can work in line with health and safety legislation and in compliance with the wiring regs.
How long training takes will depend, as there isn’t one fixed timeframe. A full-time or fast-track intensive course can be completed in a matter of weeks, but becoming fully qualified and competent involves workplace experience and work-based competence assessments.
Starting an electrical career at 40
When training to be an electrician, work experience is incredibly useful throughout, but when it comes to the NVQ section, you’ll need to be working to be able to fulfil the requirements. If you’re able to make the jump by starting to look for work early as an electrician’s mate or electrical improver, it could provide valuable experience and connections in the industry, as well as real work opportunities for your NVQ.
Employers will typically look for relevant training and work experience, practical competence and a good attitude. At 40, people have transferable skills from other industries to add to the mix.
It takes hard work and commitment to train as an electrician at any age, but once you’re qualified, applying for the ECS Gold Card is a next step before looking for roles in the industry, such as maintenance electrician or installation electrician, or you might consider working as a self-employed electrician.
FAQs about becoming an electrician at 40
Can I become an electrician at 40?
Yes, you can become an electrician at 40. There are no upper age restrictions when completing an adult electrician course.
Can I retrain as an electrician at the weekend?
Many electrician courses for adults have part-time and weekend training options. Able Skills in Dartford offers full-time courses, part-time courses and home study.
How do I find work experience as a 40-year-old trainee electrician?
Many trainee electricians begin by finding work as an electrician’s mate or electrical improver. While you don’t necessarily need a Level 2 qualification to start working as an electrician’s mate, holding the qualification demonstrates that you already have the foundational knowledge and skills.
How much does a newly qualified electrician earn?
According to recent Checkatrade salary data, a newly qualified electrician can earn around £36,000. This increases with experience and seniority, and location is a variable factor influencing earning potential in the UK.
How much does it cost to retrain as an electrician?
The cost of training will vary depending on the training provider. At Able Skills our prices are displayed clearly on all of the electrician training courses. If you are comparing different providers, check that you are comparing like-for-like qualifications and if everything is included to make sure there are no hidden costs. Some companies allow you to spread the costs, so you pay as you train.
Getting started: Electrical training at Able Skills
At Able Skills we offer a clear route to becoming an electrician. Level 2 and Level 3 fast-track or intensive electrician course, NVQ, 18th Edition and AM2. Level 2 and Level 3 part-time weekend courses or home-study – our distance learning electrician courses where you learn the theory at home in your own time, then come into the training centre for practical work and assessments.
“Able Skills didn’t just provide the qualifications — it provided clarity, confidence and a structured path forward that made the goal feel achievable from start to finish.” Find out how Paul changed his career from photographer to electrician.
Ready for your career change? Contact our team today by phone or email to find out how you can become an electrician at 40.
Electrician Training