Bradley Newport

Electrician

For some people, spending a Saturday helping your dad rewire the house would be a day lost. But for 17-year-old Bradley Newport, the experience helped him decide to become an electrician. 'I also helped wire our holiday home and I really enjoyed it. It was good,' says Bradley.

Once Bradley had made his choice, he went to the City Of Bristol College, which carried out a few tests on his suitability. 'The tests were all about electrical stuff, but it was really basic,' explains Bradley. 'A bit of science, a bit of maths and so on. It was just making sure you thought in the right way to be an electrician.'

Currently working on City & Guilds NVQs in Electrical Installation, Bradley's well on his way to becoming fully qualified. While studying, he's working for an electrical and mechanical manufacturer in Bristol, Altoroute Ltd. 'I wire up the frames of the signs and do more general work as well,' explains Bradley.

The working day starts at 8.30am and finishes at 4.45am. In between, there's a chance for lots of varied tasks and a good laugh with his workmates. 'I go home satisfied most days,' Bradley explains. 'I have a laugh and a good time at work. The money is pretty good and it goes up when I qualify. It goes up when I'm 18 as well, and there's a £40 pay rise every six months. The job isn't back-breaking but it's challenging. You're not always doing the same thing so it makes you think about it.'

Bradley spends two days a week at college as part of his three year course. He prefers the practical side of the course to the theory. 'The theory is more waiting and listening and writing whereas the practical is like doing a hobby, something you enjoy,' he explains. But Bradley says it's the mix of practical and theory which helps you understand the job more thoroughly.

In fact, for anyone wanting to become a bright spark, Bradley would thoroughly recommend his course. 'The City & Guilds course gives you the chance to do a job where you've got a chance to earn real money,' says Bradley. 'You can also make a lot of new friends. The teachers treat you like adults. And you're learning something you really want to rather than having to learn things when you're at school!'