>>2586714
Dunno about the UK. Apparently eurofags get sponsored for apprenticeships by companies. In the US you must get an apprenticeship from a company / union, do your hours on the job, do your classwork (if applicable), fulfill any other state requirements (find information with the state electrical contractors board), and test for your license. In order to get an apprenticeship you might want some sort of background in the field, take some classes, or work as a helper for a bit.
Bonus answer: All trades require a very high degree of practical experience, this is what makes them trades. Carpentry and masonry require the least book study. The most book study starts to push the boundaries of what is considered a trade. But perhaps things like controls, refrigeration, electrical, telecom / it, ect.
Bonus answer 2: Do what your interested and works well for you. If its just something on the side you do on your own maybe repair home appliances or work on cars for your buddies. If you wanna go from being an electrician to a different career you could be a lineman, e and e controls tech, hvac tech, low voltage electrician, ect.