advice on what to do?

[ozbod1]

hi guys, long story but i really need some advice, i took and passed city and guilds 2330, 16th and 17th edition, 2391 and part p at college about 2-3 years ago while i was working as a driver, i have only done a few bits of electrics in houses and favour jobs and the like so im unexperianced as far as it goes! im a self-employed courier with my own van etc but as you know things are grimm of late, my eca cscs card is up soon so i will be taking it again my question is should i just call it a day and try and move in to electrics or does anyone know if there is such a job? as still being a courier and maybe installation of the electrical item? any advice greatly received as i really am at a loss...thanks in advance

 

[Modernelectric]

Hello ozbod1, have you tried speaking with any companies that provide electrical appliances to see what kind of services they offer with regard to delivery and fitting? They most probably use outside companies to do this work so maybe you can get a foot in the door? If you have limited experience its best you either stick to simple jobs (is there such a thing?!) or try and find a couple of hours a week working with an experienced electrician to build up your skillset.

 

[ozbod1]

hi thanks, nice dog too by the way, thats my company name {bluestaffs couriers} anyway yeah youre right, i thought about approaching appliance centres but i didnt thing there would be a lot of stuff which needed to be fixed equipment? most stuff is just a plug-maybe a cooker but i couldnt think of much else? ive only worked for an electrician for about a month doing domestic so i know im pritty-very unexperianced, problem is i spoke to a local electrician who was about to take me on for a small daily wage but every time he rang my other phone would ring for a courier job and i had to let him down, it was the last thing i wanted but the courier work has paid my bills and got me through college too. my jobs have all but dried up i can maybe last 2 months, i feel its time i make a decision but its hard when im not earning much anyway and moving into electrics as an inexperianced 38 year old wil most definetly be low to no wages? im really finding it hard to decide but to merge the 2 somehow would be great, i love being a courier{when its good} but i suppose every job is good when its good!

 

[jjjinx]

I've done the same as you, I did 2330 lvl 2 & 3, the regs 17th & 2391. To get my foot in the door I worked for a guy for 3 months for free. 2 years later I'm still on part time money as there's not yet enough work for me to go full time with him (most of the time there is but its a big ask for full time money).
I've gained enough experience to do most jobs by myself in the domestic inviroment but all certs have to go through his company as my part p is through his company (as he paid for it), once I've saved enough cash I will reg on my own.

I've bought my own van, own my own tools & the only thing that stops me from going solo is confidence to charge peps & regular work. I hope to build up a reputation over the next couple of years & then advertise but at the same time not tread on my bosses toes.

I'm a single dad so I was able to make the transsion easier than you would probably as I was receiving benefits at the time I started.

Now after all that waffle! I would suggest that you do electrical work outside of your courier hours. get back in with that electrician but under terms of free work on yr days off & in the evenings till you have enough experience to make it worth while him paying you enough for you to make the transition. After all, your wage is your experience!

Something along those lines.... if you value your place in the electrical trade then you'll do what ever it takes to make it happen.

 

[ezzzekiel]

its a nightmare to get a start,
I jumped in self employed (this is a confidence thing) and gained my own experience, did a lot of short subby contracts for agencys, then when confident took full time work (morrisons, fhm, british gas, local authority etc) now back self employed which is great cause its 9am and im having another coffee before work

the key is to stay in your comfort zone dont take on work your not sure about until youve gained experience.