advice on going alone please.

[jamie_sparks]

hi all.. newbie to the site. my name is jamie and im 20 years old from the west midlands.

im looking for some advice as i want to go self employed but have no idea where to start and not sure if i have the right quals..

i have city and guilds 2330 level 2 and 3 and i have passed my am2 exam. also have level 3 nvq in electrical.. i am only currently trained to the 16th edition..

i no im only young but not too woried about my experience as ive been doing things electrical since school and am used to working on my own so believe i have the relevant experience industrial and domestic wise..

thanks guys..

 

[SirKit Breaker]

You aren't the first person to consider having a go. I could write a book on the pro's and con's, but i won't.
Have a good search in the forum on the subject, its been done to death and you will find tons of information and advice both good and bad.

Cheers..........Howard

 

[accordfire]

hi all.. newbie to the site. my name is jamie and im 20 years old from the west midlands.

im looking for some advice as i want to go self employed but have no idea where to start and not sure if i have the right quals..

i have city and guilds 2330 level 2 and 3 and i have passed my am2 exam. also have level 3 nvq in electrical.. i am only currently trained to the 16th edition..

i no im only young but not too woried about my experience as ive been doing things electrical since school and am used to working on my own so believe i have the relevant experience industrial and domestic wise..

thanks guys..

As Howard says - use the search functionality or read through the Business Related Forum - I know I've posted bucket loads of advice.

One thing I will say - self assessment of your skills is exactly the reason why qualifications are essential - none of us are always quite as good as we think we are, and that, I think is a function of age and wisdom.

Do yourself, and your future customers a big favour - consider taking a 17th edition updater, and your 2391 before you go self-employed. They're both pretty essential and likely to get more so.

Trust me fella - I thought I could conquer the world when I was 20 - and now I'm twice that, I realise I haven't even conquered my own home, much less the world.

 

[jamie_sparks]

yeah sorry about that i will search the forum..

thanks for your advice thou, i would have the 17th and 2391 included in a price i need to start.

struggling to find work in the midlands as i would much prefer to work for somebody and gain alot more experience..

 

[accordfire]

yeah sorry about that i will search the forum..

thanks for your advice thou, i would have the 17th and 2391 included in a price i need to start.

struggling to find work in the midlands as i would much prefer to work for somebody and gain alot more experience..

Understand - and good to hear you're putting costs for things like that into your sums.

Work is variously tight, and easy to come by depending on where and what you're doing. There doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to it right now.

All I can really suggest on the work front is keep trying, keep promoting yourself, and if you do end up going alone, there is a ton of genuine and well meant advice here - well either way there is.

You're doing the right thing though, discussing the options, and considering all angles, on each side pal.

 

[Darkwood]

Look up business link for your area on internet if you do go alone they do free courses to get your head around the financial side, marketing etc its part of a goverment scheme to assist new companies.

 

[jamie_sparks]

thankyou very much gents. much appreciated. just wish i signed up sooner.

 

[accordfire]

thankyou very much gents. much appreciated. just wish i signed up sooner.

Well, you found us all now

Generally a very helpful place mate - welcome along anyways.

 

[spsparks]

learning to fault find is an essential skill, the 2391 is the starting point for this. Consider local housing assoc or similar for experience and dont think about the money yet. You are obviously an adventurer and i am sure that you will find your own path in the end good luck

 

[jamie_sparks]

thank you.

 

[accordfire]

learning to fault find is an essential skill, the 2391 is the starting point for this. Consider local housing assoc or similar for experience and dont think about the money yet. You are obviously an adventurer and i am sure that you will find your own path in the end good luck

That's actually pretty good advice.

Electricians aren't only found in electrical contractors. It might be worth considering looking in industries like fire, HVAC, and so on as well to gain experience - many may still pay for training, and you gain broader skills too. Another option, if you're not feeling ready for self-employment.

If you are, though - spend some time getting business advice, especially - as someone said, Business Links run free courses, and the other key thing - start building up contacts anywhere you go. Names, ranks, serial (and phone) numbers, and never be afraid to sound people out tactically - i.e. don't tell all your current company's customers you're about to go alone, but ask them loaded questions over the cuppa - like "what would you really value in an electrician's service?" "What would make you choose one electrician over another".....these kinds of question are the basis of market research, and tell you, in sufficient volume, what it is your future customer are going to want from you.

Hang on in there with it all mate - some days are good, some not so much - but the highs, for most of us, well outweigh the lows sooner or later.