Yosef — Self-employed electrician

How it started

Yosef worked 6 years in a fashion store after the army. He wanted something physical, stable, with higher income potential. The Madrasa course in Beersheba was an obvious option.

The course — 9 fully-subsidized months

100% subsidized by the Ministry of Labor for community members. Tuition ₪0, basic tools free, living grant ₪3,000/month (Yosef lived with his parents so it was enough). The course: 5 days/week, 8 hours/day.

After the course

Ministry of Labor license received October 2024. 3 months apprenticing under a veteran electrician (₪50/hour). Post-apprenticeship — a UJIA-KIEDF loan of ₪80K (professional tools + an electrician's vehicle + liability insurance).

Where he is today

Self-employed for 14 months. ~₪22K net per month on average (depending on workload). 2 large repeat clients (a construction company + a chain of stores) that account for ~60% of his income. Optimistic.

Recommendation

> "If you don't like office work — go into trades. The money's higher, you're your own boss, and there are no managers to please. Just take the subsidized course — don't pay private. It's a steal at the price."

Programs used

Stories are composite portraits based on aggregated reporting from partner organizations. Names and identifiers have been changed for privacy. · 2026-05-01