Do you need to be multi skilled nowdays?

[caterhamboy]

I have been doing my city and guilds 2330 for last 2yrs and work for a contractor (mainly domestic) but over the last yr or so a lot of our regular contacts that we worked for (plumbers and kitchen fitters) have become part -p registered and do the work themselves, So i am thinking if i stay just on the domestic side of things should i get some training in another trade as i cannot see there's going to be enough work to go round just doing electrical. Have thought about not doing my 2330 level 3 and doing a plumbing course,joinery or maybe brickwork, what are everyone's thoughts?

 

[rocker]

It all depends, mate. Do you want to be a jack of all trades but a master of none? Or do you want to build up a reputation as the best?

 

[roukel01]

Completely agree with Rocker, stick to one trade. One thing that really gets my back up is a van that goes past with lovely sign writing saying something like:...

MR HOME IMPROVEMENT
All aspects of home improvements undertaken
BUILDING - PLUMBING - ELECTRICAL - LANDSCAPE GARDENING

the list goes on.
To learn a trade properly takes time and a lot of experience, stick to one and get good at it, so you can leave a job knowing you've done it to the best of your ability.

Hope this helps
Lee
(electrician, plasterer, and flat pack specialist)

 

[wattsup]

Nope, nowadays you only need to be able to read a meter and write, hey presto sparky...thats 800 quid thank you very much...off you go

 

[kung]

Completely agree with Rocker, stick to one trade. One thing that really gets my back up is a van that goes past with lovely sign writing saying something like:...

MR HOME IMPROVEMENT
All aspects of home improvements undertaken
BUILDING - PLUMBING - ELECTRICAL - LANDSCAPE GARDENING

the list goes on.
To learn a trade properly takes time and a lot of experience, stick to one and get good at it, so you can leave a job knowing you've done it to the best of your ability.

Hope this helps
Lee
(electrician, plasterer, and flat pack specialist)

You forgot pizza's, sandwiches, etc

 

[flukey]

I have been doing my city and guilds 2330 for last 2yrs and work for a contractor (mainly domestic) but over the last yr or so a lot of our regular contacts that we worked for (plumbers and kitchen fitters) have become part -p registered and do the work themselves, So i am thinking if i stay just on the domestic side of things should i get some training in another trade as i cannot see there's going to be enough work to go round just doing electrical. Have thought about not doing my 2330 level 3 and doing a plumbing course,joinery or maybe brickwork, what are everyone's thoughts?

plumbing would be handy to know so you can offer the complete package when a customer wants a shower fitted

 

[Sanke]

The problem is that the Govt want to remove the "cowboy" element. which I would suggest all people on this forum would agree with However, to do this they have instigated so many regulations saying you must be qualified to touch this that we now have to be multi "qualified" (note not necesarrily skilled to do a job For example as as plumber changing a boiler you must have Gas Safe Registration to change boiler AND part p (Elecsa/Nic) to do wiring or coordinate two seperate tradesmen
Perhaps a more sensible answer would be for different trades in the same area to work together to find jobs and work on their respective parts at the appropriate time ? This way as well you could gain an appreciation of the other trade from someone that you can trust

 

[roukel01]

plumbing would be handy to know so you can offer the complete package when a customer wants a shower fitted

I'd rather give the plumber I work with a job than take it away from them, if you know and trust people in other trades, you can still offer the 'full package'

 

[flukey]

I'd rather give the plumber I work with a job than take it away from them, if you know and trust people in other trades, you can still offer the 'full package'

good for you, i would rather pocket all the money myself