Becoming an Electrician at 40 

Changing careers at 40 can feel like standing at the edge of something big. Maybe you’ve been made redundant. Maybe you’re just sick of staring at spreadsheets. Maybe you’ve spent the last decade w ondering what it’d be like to work with your hands instead of a keyboard. Whatever the reason, the question always lands in the same place: is it too late? 

Short answer? No. Retraining as an electrician at 40 is not only possible, it’s increasingly common. The UK needs around 104,000 additional electricians by 2032 to meet demand from housebuilding targets and renewable energy projects. That shortage means training providers, employers, and the industry as a whole are actively looking for people who can commit, learn fast, and bring a bit of life experience to the table. At 40, you’ve got all three. 

Here’s what the routes actually look like, what you’re signing up for, and whether the trade suits the version of life you’re trying to build. 

The Two Main Routes In (And How Long They Actually Take) 

1. Adult Learner RouteFast Track

This is the most common path for career changers. It starts in the classroom, moves through workshops, and ends with on-site assessments that prove you can actually do the job. The structure looks like this: 

Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installations (C&G 2365-02) – Covers the foundations. Basic science, wiring principles, safety, how circuits work. Usually takes 4-6 weeks full-time or around 6 months part-time. 

18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) – The industry bible. You need to know BS 7671 inside out because it governs every electrical installation in the UK. This course covers all the regulations, amendments, and how to apply them on site. Takes 3-5 days intensive, then you sit the exam. 

Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations (C&G 2365-03) – Gets into the detail. Inspection and testing, more advanced theory, proper job planning. Another 8-12 weeks full-time or up to a year part-time. 

NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Installation (C&G 2357) – This is where you prove you can do the work, not just talk about it. You need to build a portfolio of real installations, assessed by a qualified supervisor. Takes 6-12 months depending on how quickly you can gather evidence. 

AM2 Assessment – The final practical exam. Three days of timed tasks that simulate real-world electrical work. Pass this and you’re qualified. 

Total time? 18 months to 2 years if you’re moving at a decent pace. Some people stretch it longer if they’re balancing other commitments. Some people cram it faster if they’ve got the time and the drive. 

To be fair, the classroom phases are quick. It’s the NVQ portfolio that slows most people down, because you need actual site work to gather evidence. That’s where having an employer or a training provider with guaranteed placements (like Elec Training’s partnerships with 120+ contractors across the country) makes all the difference. 

2. Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA)

If you’ve already been working in electrical installations but never formalised your qualifications, this route might suit you better. It assesses what you already know and m aps it against apprenticeship standards. 

You’ll need at least 3-5 years of verifiable site experience (depending on whether you’re going for Installation/Maintenance or Domestic Electrician). You’ll still complete an NVQ Level 3 portfolio, but it’s based on work you’ve already done rather than starting from scratch. And you’ll still sit the AM2 to prove competence. 

This route’s faster if you qualify for it (6-12 months), but it’s only open to people who can prove the experience. If you’re coming from a completely different career, this won’t apply. 

The Reality: Why 40 Isn’t a Disadvantage 

Here’s what no one tells you when you’re panicking about being “too old” to retrain. Maturity is an asset in this trade. Customers trust tradespeople over 40 more than younger sparks. A consumer study by Watersafe found that 41 was considered the most trusted age for a tradesperson, with the 36-49 bracket getting 50% of votes. 

Employers notice it too. By 40, you’ve learned how to show up on time, manage your own schedule, deal with difficult people without losing your cool, and take responsibility when things go wrong. Those aren’t skills you get from a textbook. They’re transferable from every job you’ve ever had, and they matter more on site than people realise. 

The training structure itself is designed to accommodate adult learners. Courses run evenings, weekends, and intensive blocks so you can keep working whilst you train. Payment plans exist. Skills Bootcamps (free for 19+ learners in England) and Advanced Learner Loans (repayable once you’re earning over £27,295) reduce the upfront cost. 

And let’s be honest, younger apprentices might have energy on their side, but they also lack the focus that comes with consciously choosing a career change. At 40, you’re not here because your mates are doing it or because your parents pushed you into it. You’re here because you’ve weighed it up and decided this is the move. That clarity makes a difference when the coursework gets tough or the site shifts drag on. 

What You’re Actually Signing Up For 

Becoming an electrician isn’t a desk job with predictable hours and air conditioning. It’s physical, sometimes messy, occasionally frustrating, and always demands your attention. If you’re coming from a corporate background, the shift might feel stark. But for a lot of people, that’s the entire point. 

The Good Bits 

High demand. The UK has around 230,000 electricians, but it needs significantly more. Nearly 10,000 electrician vacancies were unfilled at the time of recent studies, and the CITB predicts an additional 4,300 people will be needed each year in electrical installation trades between now and 2029. That translates to job security and bargaining power. 

Earning potential. According to the ONS, electricians earn an average of £33,495 annually, making them one of the highest-paid trades in the UK. Newly qualified sparks start around £20,000-£25,000, experienced electricians can clear £45,000-£52,000, and self-employed or limited company owners often push past £60,000-£65,000. In the South-East, sparks invoice at £45/hour, which works out to around £70,000 annually at 30 hours a week. 

Flexibility. You can work employed, self-employed, or as a contractor. You can specialise in domestic rewires, commercial installations, industrial maintenance, or EV charging points. No two days look the same, and you’re not trapped in a single office for the next 25 years. 

Variety. One week you’re rewiring a Victorian terrace in Birmingham. The next you’re installing LED lighting in a warehouse in London. Then you’re fitting an EV charger for someone who’s just bought a Tesla. The work shifts. The locations change. If you hate monotony, this trade delivers. 

The Challenging Bits 

It’s physical. You’ll be bending, lifting, working in lofts, crawling under floors, standing on ladders, and occasionally contorting yourself into spaces that weren’t designed for human access. If you’ve got a dodgy back or knees, this might not be the career for you (or at least, not full-time domestic work where you’re constantly in awkward positions). 

The hours can be unpredictable. Domestic electricians usually work standard 8-hour days, but commercial and industrial sparks often work nights, weekends, or whatever hours the project demands. Emergency callouts pay well, but they also mean your phone might ring at 11pm on a Saturday. 

There’s risk. Electricity can kill you if you don’t treat it with respect. That’s why the training exists, why BS 7671 compliance is non-negotiable, and why safe isolation procedures matter. It’s not a job where you can cut corners or drift off mid-task. 

It’s competitive at entry level. Getting that first NVQ placement or your first few jobs as a newly qualified spark can be tough. A lot of contractors want people with experience, which creates a catch-22 for new entrants. This is where training providers with in-house recruitment teams (like Elec Training, which actively places students with 120+ partner contractors) make the difference between qualifying and actually working. 

Skills You’ll Need Beyond the Qualifications 

The diplomas get you through the door. The NVQ proves you can do the work. But there’s a whole skill set that makes the difference between someone who’s competent and someone who’s actually good at the job. 

Technical skills. Maths (calculating cable sizes, voltage drop, circuit loading). Understanding BS 7671. Knowing how to read drawings and specifications. Inspection and testing procedures. These are the bread and butter. 

Digital skills. Increasingly, electricians need to work with compliance software, smart home systems, and automation tech. If you’re comfortable with computers (and at 40, coming from a corporate background, you probably are), that’s an advantage. 

Customer service. Especially in domestic work, you’re in people’s homes. They’re watching you. They’re asking questions. They’re worried about costs. Being able to explain what you’re doing, why it costs what it costs, and when it’ll be finished without sounding condescending or impatient makes all the difference. Life experience helps here. 

Problem-solving. Not every job goes to plan. Cables aren’t where the drawings say they are. The c onsumer unit’s full. The client’s changed their mind halfway through. Being able to adapt, think on your feet, and find solutions without panicking is what separates the good sparks from the ones who just follow instructions. 

The Practical Stuff You Need to Think About 

Funding 

Adult learners usually self-fund their training. The full package (Level 2, Level 3, NVQ, AM2, 18th Edition) typically costs between £9,000 and £11,500, depending on the provider and what’s included. That’s not pocket change, but payment plans exist. Some providers let you pay in instalments. Skills Bootcamps can fully fund some courses. Advanced Learner Loans cover tuition fees upfront and you only repay once you’re earning over £27,295. 

Time Commitment 

Balancing training with work or family life isn’t easy. Part-time routes exist (evenings, weekends, block weeks), but they stretch the timeline. If you’ve got a mortgage, kids, and a full-time job, you’ll need to plan carefully. Some people keep their current job whilst doing diplomas part-time, then switch to full-time electrical work once they’re doing their NVQ. Others take redundancy payouts or savings and go all-in on a fast-track route. 

There’s no single right answer. It depends on your financial cushion, your commitments, and how quickly you need to be earning as an electrician rather than in your current role. 

Career Goals 

What do you actually want to do once you’re qualified? Domestic rewires? Commercial fit-outs? Industrial maintenance? EV charging installations? Specialising in renewable energy? Each path has different demands, different earning potential, and different work-life balance implications. 

If you want to run your own business eventually, you’ll need to think about CPS registration (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA), insurance, van costs, tools, marketing, and all the admin that comes with being self-employed. If you’d rather work for an established firm, you’ll have more stability but less control over your schedule and income. 

Either way, it’s worth having a rough idea of where you’re aiming before you start training, because it shapes which courses you prioritise and which specialisms you focus on. 

Why This Trade Rewards Career Changers 

The electrical industry is evolving fast. EV charging points, solar PV installations, battery storage systems, smart home tech, heat pumps. These are all growth areas, and they all need electricians who can adapt, learn new tech, and communicate with customers who don’t understand the jargon. 

Mid-career entrants often excel in these areas. You’ve got the communication skills from previous roles. You’ve got the discipline to study regulations and keep up with CPD. You’ve got the customer service experience to explain why an EV charger installation costs £800 and not £200. These aren’t skills you can teach in a classroom, but they’re skills employers and clients value. 

And here’s the thing. The trade needs people like you. The UK’s electrician workforce is ageing. Many sparks are hitting retirement age, and not enough younger workers are entering the trade to replace them. Post-Brexit, a lot of EU workers left, widening the skills gap even further. At the start of 2021, the skills shortage in construction was 29%. By the end of the year, it hit 55%. 

That shortage is your opportunity. It means training providers are motivated to support adult learners. It means employers are more willing to take on newly qualified sparks. It means wages are rising. It means the trade is accessible in a way it wasn’t a decade ago. 

Is It the Right Move for You? 

Only you can answer that. But here are the questions worth asking yourself: 

• Can you handle physical work, awkward positions, and long days on your feet? 

• Are you comfortable with irregular hours, callouts, and project deadlines? 

• Do you have the financial cushion (or access to funding) to cover training costs and a potential dip in income during the transition? 

• Are you willing to start at the bottom again, even though you’re 40 and have decades of work experience? 

• Do you actually enjoy practical, hands-on problem-solving, or are you romanticising it because you hate your current desk job? 

If the answers lean towards yes, then retraining as an electrician at 40 is realistic. If they lean towards no, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it. It just means you need to go in with your eyes open about what you’re signing up for. 

Retraining as an electrician at 40 is possible, increasingly common, and often successful. The UK has a massive skills shortage, structured training routes designed for adult learners, and strong earning potential for qualified sparks. Yes, the hours can be tough. Yes, the training requires commitment. Yes, you’ll need to self-fund most of it. But for many people, the opportunity to leave a job they hate, work with their hands, and build a secure future in a respected trade makes all of it worthwhile. 

At 40, you bring maturity, focus, and transferable skills that younger entrants don’t have. Employers know it. Customers trust it. And the industry needs it. 

If you’re ready to take the step, start by mapping out which route suits your situation. Talk to a training provider about timelines, costs, and placements. Work out your funding options. And be honest with yourself about what you’re willing to commit to. 

Call us on 0330 822 5337. We’ll walk you through the adult learner route, explain what’s involved in the NVQ portfolio, and help you figure out if this is the right move for your situation. No pressure. No hype. Just practical guidance from people who’ve helped hundreds of career changers make this exact transition. 

Want more detail on the qualifications pathway? Check How to Become an Electrician.