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Changing Career from Police Officer to Electrician in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide

Changing careers is never an easy decision — especially if you’ve spent years serving as a police officer. Policing demands resilience, discipline, and a commitment to public service, but many officers reach a stage where the long shifts, the stress, or the lack of flexibility become overwhelming. I’ve met countless ex-cops who felt they needed a new challenge — one that still makes use of their problem-solving skills and attention to detail, but also offers stability, financial growth, and more control over their lives. That’s why more and more people from policing are retraining as electricians. And it’s no surprise why. The UK is facing a significant skills shortage across construction and especially in electrical trades. According to the Office for National Statistics, the construction industry had 13,000 more vacancies than pre-pandemic levels, even as other sectors saw declines

Introduction

If you’ve served as a police officer, you’ve already proven your resilience, discipline, and ability to handle responsibility. But maybe you’ve reached a stage where the long shifts, stress, or lack of flexibility are weighing you down. If you’re looking for a career that rewards your skills, offers long-term job security, and allows you to build something tangible with your hands, then retraining as an electrician could be the perfect move.

I’m Tolga Aramaz, CEO of Learn Trade Skills and Wire Now. Over the past decade, I’ve helped thousands of people — including ex-police officers, ex-teachers, and ex-military personnel — make the transition into the electrical trade. In this article, I’ll walk you through the realities of leaving policing for electrics, what the data says about pay and demand, and the clear pathways to qualification available through Learn Trade Skills.

Why Electricians Are in High Demand

The UK is facing a significant skills shortage across construction and particularly in electrical trades. According to the Office for National Statistics, the construction industry had 13,000 more vacancies than pre-pandemic levels, even as other sectors saw declines【source: ONS via Reuters】.

The government’s commitment to Net Zero 2050 means electricians are central to installing solar panels, EV chargers, and smart home systems. Plans to build 1.5 million homes and retrofit thousands more highlight the long-term opportunities for skilled electricians.

Simply put: if you train as an electrician today, you’re entering one of the most future-proof industries in the UK.

Police Pay vs Electrician Pay: A Data-Driven Comparison

One of the first questions ex-cops ask me is: “Will I earn more as an electrician?”

Let’s look at the data.

Police Officer Salaries (England & Wales)

New Police Constable: ~£19,164/year starting salary
After ~7 years: up to £41,130/year as a Constable
Average police officer salary: ~£30,700–£31,500/year

Electrician Salaries (UK)

Apprentice / Entry level: ~£19,000/year
Fully Qualified: median £38,800/year
Experienced / senior electrician: £42,500–£52,250/year
Self-employed / contractors: often £60,000+ with day rates of £300–£500 depending on region

👉 What does this mean? While the starting pay is similar between a new police officer and an apprentice electrician, the earning ceiling is higher in the electrical trade — especially if you go self-employed or specialise in renewables, inspection & testing, or EV charging.

Why Ex-Police Officers Make Excellent Electricians

I’ve seen first-hand how ex-police officers thrive in electrical training. The skills you’ve built in policing — attention to detail, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving under pressure — map perfectly onto electrical work.

Where policing often offers little control over shifts or workload, as an electrician you can eventually set your own hours, take on projects that interest you, and even run your own business.

Your Pathways to Becoming an Electrician

At Learn Trade Skills, we’ve designed three clear pathways depending on your experience.

1. Part-Time Electrical Courses – If You Have No Experience

If you’re starting from scratch, our Fully Qualified Electrician Gold Card Package is the best route.

What’s included:

Level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Electrical Installations (2365)
18th Edition Wiring Regulations (2382)
Part P Building Regulations (2393)
Inspection & Testing (2391-52)
NVQ Level 3 (2357)

Study options:

Full-time (15–17 weeks) in-centre training + NVQ portfolio.
Part-time (30 weeks) with 1 day + 1 evening per week + NVQ portfolio.

This is perfect for ex-cops who want to retrain while balancing family or financial commitments.

2. Fast Track Route – If You Have 1–4 Years’ Site Experience

If you’ve already done some site work (as a labourer, mate, or improver), our Fast Track Gold Card Package saves you time.

What’s included:

Level 2 & 3 Diplomas (Fast Track)
18th Edition Wiring Regulations
Part P Building Regulations
Inspection & Testing
NVQ Level 3

Study format:

Day-release (24 weeks): 1 day per week in-centre while you keep working.

This pathway gets you qualified faster without sacrificing your income.

3. Experienced Worker Route – If You’ve Already Got 5+ Years of Electrical Experience

If you’ve been working on the tools for years but never gained formal qualifications, the Experienced Worker Route is your route.

What’s included:

Online Level 2 Diploma
18th Edition Wiring Regulations
Inspection & Testing
NVQ Level 3 (2346)
Optional Part P

Study format:

Flexible online + in-centre
Up to 18 months to complete NVQ (average: 12 months)

This package recognises your real-world experience and gives you formal recognition with an ECS Gold Card.

Why Choose Learn Trade Skills

There are plenty of training centres, but here’s why ex-cops trust us:

Small class sizes (10–12 learners) → personalised attention.
Industry-experienced instructors → learn from people who’ve worked on real sites.
Flexible learning options → full-time, part-time, evening, or blended online.
Accredited courses → City & Guilds, EAL, LCL qualifications recognised nationwide.
Employment support → we help you find your first job once you qualify.

Learn more about our electrical courses here.

Practical Steps to Get Started

Book a free consultation with Learn Trade Skills → we’ll assess your background and goals.
Choose the right pathway (Part-time, Fast Track, or Experienced Worker).
Plan your finances → we offer flexible payment plans, and some career changers use savings or support schemes.
Begin training with practical workshops and classroom learning.
Complete your NVQ portfolio on the job.
Apply for your ECS Gold Card → the industry standard qualification.

Conclusion

Leaving the police is a big decision. But if you’re ready for a new challenge, becoming an electrician offers a stable, respected, and financially rewarding career.

I’ve seen countless ex-cops make the switch successfully. With your discipline and resilience, combined with structured training and support from Learn Trade Skills, you can qualify in as little as 12–24 months — and set yourself up for long-term success in a booming industry.

Your next step? Explore our electrical courses and book a consultation today.

FAQ: From Police Officer to Electrician

Q1. How long does it take to become a qualified electrician?
Between 12–24 months depending on whether you study full-time, part-time, or Fast Track.

Q2. Will I earn more as an electrician than as a cop?
Yes, once fully qualified. Median electrician pay is £38,800/year (ONS), compared to an average police salary of ~£31,000/year. Self-employed electricians often earn £60,000+.

Q3. Do I need experience to start?
No. Our Part-time Gold Card pathway is designed for complete beginners.

Q4. Can I retrain while still working?
Yes. Our part-time and day-release options are designed for career changers who need to maintain income.

Q5. What qualification will I end up with?
An ECS Gold Card, the industry standard for fully qualified electricians in the UK.

Tolga Aramaz

Director at Learn Trade Skills | + posts

Tolga Aramaz is the Director of Learn Trade Skills (LTS), a family-run training centre specialising in electrical installations. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the electrical industry, Tolga is known for their exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering outstanding results. They provide valuable insights and guidance to electricians, contractors, and businesses, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and safety protocols. Through engaging training programmes and consultancy services, Tolga empowers professionals to excel in their roles, fostering long-term relationships built on professionalism and customer satisfaction.

Changing Career from Police Officer to Electrician in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide