Hey all, im 16 years old, i live in new zealand and ive been interested in the world of electronics for a long time but have yet to do anything about further study of the topic. I currently work at a transport engineering workshop (Truck trailors, Boats) which i am not to fussed about, so i decided that i am going to move to Australia with my girlfriend in 6 months time to do a course in a learning institute over there called T.A.F.E. The first course is 5 months long, full time and it covers all the basics of electronics, plus you do some on site work for companies around the area all threwout the course. After that course i then have to find a company to take me on and put me threw an apprentiship.

Coming to my point, i was just wondering what kind of apprentiships are on offer in electronics. I've been told you can do a general electrician apprentiship in which you cover everything, from commercial, industrial and residential, and do not specialize in anything until after the apprentiship is over. But i have also heard that you do an apprentiship in something of your choice like, Refridgeration and Air conditioning (which i am interested in), systems electrician, commercial, industrial, residential (all seperate).

I'm pretty confused haha, and also, i have been looking threw all different parts of the e-book on this website, i have found it all very interesting and i have gained alot of knowledge already from it, im just wondering what parts i should study the most, and if i have a study book for my own use, should i just write down the review part at the end of every topic or print/ write the whole thing (which would take a while :S).

Thank you if you took your time to read all this, most of it was probably pointless but im just not sure, so if someone could point me in the right direction i would appreciate it.

Thanks

 

Since you are only 16, i would recommend you look at a more broad-based approach, i.e. go for a course that focuses on general electrical/electronic training. At this stage it is better to have a wide knowledge base, and then look at specialising a couple of years down the line. You will also find that what you are interested in now, may not interest you in several years time - think how miffed you'd be if you had to start retraining 5-6 years down the line because you are too "specialised" to go into a particular field.

As for apprenticeships in Australia, I cannot comment, but I will say that as someone from an apprenticeship background, it is a worthwhile way to commence your career and gain a grounding in a subject. Several years down the line you will find yourself having a better grasp of the practical aspects than your peers.

The AAC e-book should be looked at in its entirety, i.e. the review sections will provide a revision summary, but you need to read the main articles to get the most out of the subjects. You will find there are parts you don't need as part of your apprenticeships, but you are advised to tackle these as you go along - electronics is a highly-interrelated subject and tackling the many overlaps is part of the learning process. You might like to know that the e-book can be downloaded for off-line reading (ref. http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/electricCircuits/), however you are advised to check AAC at regular intervals since the e-book is updated regularly.

Thats my take. Hope it gives you some ideas.

Dave

 

hi,

dave have covered pretty well the question.

i would just like to add about apprenticeship. eversince i really like the idea of apprenticeship. it teaches you so much in general, that it gives you a down to earth view of what is really happening in contrast during your school days which is based on many ideal factors. it also gives you an edge when it comes to looking for a job.

moz

 

it also gives you an edge when it comes to looking for a job.

Forgot to add that one, and is probably the one key factors in many people taking apprenticeships. Also don't be put off by the idea that it limits your ability to "climb-the-ladder" - 20% of ex-presidents of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in the UK are ex-apprentices.

Dave