Business Growth

[mstrant100]

Hi,

Just signed up to the forum, never posted before just looking for some similar minded trades advice.

I started my electrical contracting business 5 years ago, after woking for a company for 8 years before. Business is going well I'm busy, getting work for myself and have a steady flow of work from a local building on extensions, house refebishments.

Im looking at taking some one on but have a real worry about keeping the flow of work busy enough for an apprentice that im having to train and my self. Im meter of a couple of your generic online platforms that I can increase work load on but I have been working for many years just having to keep myself busy, im worried about having to pay an apprentice that doesn't know engh to be left on there own if I have blank days etc.

Jut wanted to hear if any one has any advise on there stories and whether you paid apprentice on a self employs day rate etc??

Im wanting to take the next step for my business but having hesitation, just wanted to hear how other people went about it??

Thanks for any comments, interested to hear,

Cheers

 

[richy3333]

Don’t know if any of these ramblings help:
I was in a similar situation a few years back. I took on a chap, mid 20’s as a labourer with a view to an apprenticeship if things worked out. So for the first year he subbed to me. It worked out well so we sorted out an apprenticeship for him. I’m in Scotland so don’t know if any of this is different in England. SECTT run the apprenticeship scheme here. I am required to pay him SJIB rates and he has to be an employee. His college work is block release so I can easily plan for it. I have a large contingent of very loyal (mainly commercial) customers and they have been so helpful/flexible with job scheduling. They’ve also followed him/us on the training journey. However sods law dictates that the urgent weekend/night work comes in when he’s at college!

He’s paid well, above JIB rates and I’ve looked after him with tools and the like. He’s probably kitted out better than a lot of qualified sparks. He’s now doing small simple and straightforward jobs himself and gaining confidence. That frees me up to do other work or paperwork. We had a couple of quiet weeks in the summer so he helped out on other stuff (non electrical) for me. Other than that get your apprentice delivering leaflets etc in quiet times. Mine appreciates that it’s in his interest to positively contribute to the company because it keeps him employed. I doubt he’ll leave once qualified, at least I hope he doesn’t. I’m now looking to take someone else on.

From an admin point I have a book keeper that does wages etc and keeps me right about law/pensions etc. It only costs me about £20 per month to do that. SECTT have also been very helpful with information.