We catch up with Gary Alder, Electrical Lead at Tideway, to find out more about the inspiration and journey behind the launch of a new book that aims to clear some of the fog when it comes to a career in the electrical industry.
After joining the industry in 2006, Gary worked as an apprentice for a small-to-medium-sized electrical contractor who specialised in building and installing bespoke control panels alongside the electrical installations.
He’s since worked across a wide range of sectors, installing control systems – from the smellier water industry sewage works to clean food production lines in factory settings.
After running a few of his own jobs, Gary stepped up to become a Project Manager, overseeing projects from tender to handover. In 2018 the opportunity to join the super sewer project in London proved too great and he’s spent the last six years delivering the electrical, instrumentation and control systems for the tunnel across seven sites in London.
Taking the leap of faith
So, what would compel an individual with an already busy work and personal life to take the leap of faith and write his own book?
Gary explains: “I’d always wanted to write a book, so it was something that had been in the back of my mind for a while – it was simply a case of having an idea that was good enough.
“It then dawned on me that whilst there is a massive array of content with lots of great detail available in the electrical industry, there was no single quick and easy resource to get the information to point you in the right career direction. Hopefully the information in this book manages to achieve that.”
As per Gary’s original vision, So You Want To Be An Electrician? is aimed at those potentially seeking a career in the electrical industry, whether it’s an individual looking to become an apprentice, or an adult learner considering a change of career.
The book itself will take you through the journey of qualifications, what employers might expect, details of competent person schemes and how they operate and a look at the IET and professional registration, amongst other things.
“I like to think of it as the information my careers advisor at school never really gave me,” says Gary.
The process involved with self-publishing is by no means a cakewalk, with even the most prolific of authors finding that what started as a labour of love can soon turn into a longer term nightmare – whether that’s down to a case of the dreaded ‘writer’s block’ or a fussy publisher holding things back.
Talking about his own experience, Gary says: “From commencing my first draft to holding a copy in my hands took roughly two years. It was a surreal moment, making the whole journey seem real after pounding on a keyboard for 24 months with no end product to show for it. I’d read it back-to-front so many times to make sure I was happy with the content that just holding the book was a relief.”
Since its launch earlier this year, Gary has been thrilled at the feedback the book has received: “I’ve had lots of encouraging messages and posts of people sharing their reading journey. Some of the lovely reviews left on various websites have also been validating that the book has hit its mark.
“Lots of electricians have purchased the book already and so many have fed back that they’ve learned something, with many now considering professional registration off the back of that. For me, it’s fantastic that it can have such a positive impact.”
Get more details on how to purchase the book in paperback or audiobook format here
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