At Sheldrake Training, we’re always delighted to welcome industry professionals to our team – and we’re especially proud to introduce our new Electrician Coach, who brings energy, experience, and a genuine passion for both the trade and teaching.
With over 20 years in the electrical industry and more than a decade in education, he’s joining us with one clear mission: to help shape the next generation of electricians and make learning practical, relevant, and enjoyable.
From Football to Fault Finding
Believe it or not, his journey into electrics started with the beautiful game, football. Playing men’s football from a young age, he noticed that a lot of his teammates were electricians. They spoke about the positive aspects of being a Sparky, and Mike thought the job sounded rewarding financially, interesting, hands-on, and fun – so he decided to give it a go.
He began his career with NG Baileys, completed his apprenticeship, and quickly realised how important good teaching was. One moment really stuck with him: being taught by someone who hadn’t worked on site for years. That experience planted a seed – if he ever taught, he wanted to stay closely connected to real industry work.
After working with RF Webb and Sons, he went self-employed for many years, working on large contracts and loving the freedom and variety. But when his son came along, priorities shifted. Wanting more family time, he accepted a teaching role (initially very reluctantly!). That was 12 years ago – and he’s never looked back.
Since then, he’s taught at Southampton City College and Newbury College, eventually becoming Curriculum Manager for Construction and helping to build a brand-new plumbing, electrical, and renewables centre. Now, he’s firmly part of the coaching staff at Sheldrake Training, ready to bring his passion and experience to our learners.
A Teacher Who Kept One Foot In The Trade
What really sets him apart is that he’s never fully left construction site work. He still actively works as an electrician and even takes on jobs for some of his former apprentices, who now run their own businesses. This means his teaching approaches comes from his own experiences in real-world scenarios. He uses lessons learnt on tasks that have gone both well and poorly to influence his best working practise, unpicking what works and what doesn’t. Ultimately Mike is able so share a lifetime of insider knowledge that just cannot be gained from reading textbooks. Everything students learn is linked back to how it’s actually used on site, not just in a textbook. This means that, by the time they graduate from his course, they are more than capable of winning and delivering work from day one on the job.
Mike’s teaching style can be expressed in four words:
Energetic, Passionate, Adaptable, and Realistic.
Students can expect
- Lessons rooted in real industry scenarios
- Clear explanations of why things matter, not just what to do
- A big focus on soft skills – timekeeping, communication, professionalism, and teamwork
As he puts it:
“You can be the world’s best tradesperson, but if you’re the world’s worst communicator, you won’t be in work for long.”
Exciting New Opportunities at Sheldrake Training
He’s particularly excited about the freedom to innovate at Sheldrake. One standout example is our apprenticeship model:
- Traditional college route: 54 months
- Sheldrake Training route: 36 months for the same qualification
That’s qualified electricians entering the industry faster – exactly what’s needed in a sector facing huge skills shortages.
He’s also passionate about bringing back evening courses, making it easier for:
- Career changers
- Tradespeople who never fully qualified to train without losing income by taking time off work.
Why These Courses Matter More Than Ever
With growing demand for electric services and a nationwide shortage of electricians, these courses aren’t just training programmes – they’re long-term career pathways. If you love what you do you will be successful and with this type of trade you can decide at any time to specialise and take advantage of opportunities in the marker e.g. EV charging, solar panels, media systems, security systems (CCTV) etc. You also are stepping into one of the best paid trades out there with demand high, work will always be available.
As more industries move towards electric solutions, the need for skilled electricians will only increase. In his words:
“These aren’t just courses. These are careers.”
Name The Best Parts of the Job
Being On site
It’s the banter, the teamwork, and the sense of achievement. Yes, some days are long and tough – but the pay, the pride in your work, and that Friday pub trip make it all worthwhile.
In the classroom
It’s all about the students. Seeing that “lightbulb moment” when something finally clicks. Bumping into ex-students years later and hearing how well they’re doing. Nothing beats that.
Mike’s Advice for New Students
His top advice for anyone starting electrical training:
- Be patient – there’s a lot to learn.
- Stick with it – progress comes quickly if you apply yourself.
- Look back after a couple of months and you’ll be amazed how far you’ve come.
Mike’s Teaching Principles Reflect The Standards Needed to Thrive in the Workplace
More than anything, he wants students to leave with enthusiasm – for learning, for the industry, and for their future.
Learning shouldn’t be boring. It should be engaging, practical, and enjoyable. That’s exactly the environment he’s committed to creating at Sheldrake Training.
We’re thrilled to have him on board and can’t wait to see the impact he’ll have on our learners. If you’re considering a career in electrical – or looking to take the next step – you’ll be in very safe (and very enthusiastic) hands. ⚡
Want to sign up for one of Mike’s courses? Email 
mikemullen@sheldraketraining.co.uk or call 
07884 305097
Explore both courses here: Installation And Maintenance Electrician Apprenticeship or Evening Level 2 Diploma.