Self-Employment- Electricians mate?

Sparkyticus · Nov 19, 2012

Hi

I'm trying to formulate a plan for next summer as I hope to be complete my 2330 level 3 by then.

I want to become an electrician but I understand that I need to get the basics right first. The majority of of my knowledge has come form the classroom but I have helped on few domestic installations.

The bottom line is I want to gain experience but not on apprentice wages. I'm 34, married and currently trying to start a family so hopefully you can see why £60 a week really isn't an option! The missus has a good job on a reasonable wage and I'm also working 16 hours a week in the evening to support my studies.

I'm looking to go self-employed as I will get to see a variety of working environments and hopefully be able to build up a relationship with a company or individual that might assist me if getting my full qualification.

Do you think that this is a reasonable idea? Have you worked with any self-employed electricians mates? I have helped to run a small business before and have many years experience in sales so i'm not afraid to drum up some business for someone.

Thanks,

Sparkyticus.

Marvo · Nov 19, 2012

I'm not sure how it works in the UK but if you've got transport and tools maybe you could offer your services as a freelance labourer and contact established local installers and medium sized companies and offer to do their first fix work for an hourly rate. If they're busy enough they might be interested. We often sub-contract sections of our installation programs out if we're flat out busy.

Paul.M · Nov 20, 2012

Hi and welcome to the forum and the trainee section

You need to obtain your UTR number from the inland rev so you can work unde the CIS scheme. Once you have that you can get self employed work but your are responsible for paying your own NI and book keeping your acounts at the end of the tax year.

Floody · Nov 22, 2012

Im currently a self employed mate.
Im working as a subby on Port Talbot Steel Works, also worked on a Hospital in Swansea and a power station in Cambridge.
Best way to do it, is to get a CV done, a good one. Ring up as many agencies as you possibly can and register yourself. When work comes up, they will contact everyone on their list to tell them theres work, and you will then contact them to say your interested and then your CV is submitted to the Employer. That is THE BEST way to get work as a Sub Contractor. you learn loads..and you earn

Im currently pulling cables in the Steel Works for £13ph, 70 hours a week with overtime on weekend. Its a good number where I am. But hard graft

But work is ALWAYS hard if you work hard at it.

Good luck

torrens75 · Nov 22, 2012

Floody said:
Im currently a self employed mate.
Im working as a subby on Port Talbot Steel Works, also worked on a Hospital in Swansea and a power station in Cambridge.
Best way to do it, is to get a CV done, a good one. Ring up as many agencies as you possibly can and register yourself. When work comes up, they will contact everyone on their list to tell them theres work, and you will then contact them to say your interested and then your CV is submitted to the Employer. That is THE BEST way to get work as a Sub Contractor. you learn loads..and you earn
Im currently pulling cables in the Steel Works for £13ph, 70 hours a week with overtime on weekend. Its a good number where I am. But hard graft But work is ALWAYS hard if you work hard at it.

Good luck

Floody, Im working right through Tata, not electrical, but civil engineering with the new road.

Got a few mates down on BF4 though, you probably know them lol!