I want to be a electrician but have aspergers would it make a difference. I wanted to know if this would affect my me from getting an apprenticeship. I have completed a work placement as an electrician and got a glowing report and I have been going to army cadets for a while so I think my social skills have improved greatly. thanks

hi
Good on you for having the drive and asking here. I myself have a son who is autistic but must admit I don't fully understand your circumstance. but as far as being able to complete an apprentiship ,if you are clever enough then you can do it .as far as your social skill I for one know some horrible electricians who still hold down a job ,so the real thing to worry about is not so much if you will get on with people but can you give what you will need to provide.

I lecture at a college in electrical installation. Our college will provide you with any specialist learning services you may think you need, or dont need for that matter throughout your training. There are qualified persons to provide this service.

I would say that most other colleges around the U.K will operate the same system.

The problem I would see for you would be finding a work placement to suit. In my experience aspergers affects every single person ive ever met differently. Building sites can sometimes be terrible places to work with some not so nice people. though for the most part people are generally ok.

Basically its just down to yourself. if you feel you could handle it, go for it. i would certainly encourage you to enroll at your local college and try to find an employer so you could start your training.

GOOD LUCK

Without knowing you personally, I can only speak generally about how the general traits of aspergers may affect your job. I also know quite a few electricians with asperger-traits, so it's clearly a job that attracts.

If you're detail-oriented, you will find the mathematical, technical and regulatory sides interesting, but may struggle with doing things quickly (especially if you're a perfectionist).

If you have a good memory for detail, remembering different types of wiring, test methods and regulations will come in handy, however you must remember when talking to non-technical clients not to give them too much detail. If you find yourself offering to draw them a diagram, that's too much information

Don't be afraid to admit when you don't know something, asking is the quickest way to enlightenment. If you feel compelled to tell someone more experienced and senior to you that they are wrong about something, phrase it as a question, otherwise they may be insulted.

If you're a smiley friendly, attentive person, then you'll probably be fine with face to face client interaction. If you're not, try and find something away from them.

It's a great job, so if you're interested, go for it!

I have aspergers and just completed a beng telecoms degree which involved electronic engineering. Apparently people with aspergers are very suited to technical engineering vocations (in fact my doctor seemed to expect people with aspergers to be engineers) so I'd say go for it.

I can see nothing to bar you from a career as an electrician but, if you have a disability, you must develop the habit of being ABSOLUTELY certain about safety. Too many get-rich-quick lawyers about these days.

I started in the WWll BBC Sound Service; in those days the only microphone suitable for music was the ribbon mic and we could not rectify ac mains with sufficient smoothing. Every studio had its own Battery Room which held a string if 120 x 2-volt lead-acid cells connected in series. One mistake and you could fry an elephant. We were put through an exacting safety course - a feature that I believe doesn't appear in any electrical syllabus today?

My best wishes,

Ken Green