What Could I Do Next?

[securespark]

I have posted this here as I want the opinion of everybody, including the "resident" sparks.

As some of you know, I am a domestic spark of 20+ years experience.

As the sparks will know, the human skeleton does not withstand much more abuse (my knees are creaky, as is my spine), so I am thinking of getting off the tools within the next few years.

All suggestions as to what I could do next gratefully received!

I don't necessarily have to stay in this industry, although it might be a shame not to use the skills and knowledge I have gleaned in that time.

I have C & G 236 parts I and II & the 17th update. I don't have 2391.

I'm hopeless with electronics (Mrs Secure's suggestion).

As RF knows, I've done many PowerPoint presentations for my current employers and these have been delivered by me to brief my colleagues on various topics such as supply types, EFLI etc.. but I'm not sure I have the confidence and UPK to succeed as a full-time trainer

I also have a BTEC in food technology but have not practised in that industry since 1988. Many changes have happened since then, as in most industries!

 

[mattylad]

Teaching, NVQ assessor etc.

Council planning officer

 

[RF Lighting]

LABC inspector

 

[DeadJoe]

Don't let lack of confidence stop you - the more training you do, the easier it becomes.

 

[ColJack]

part C, or whatever the equivalent is nowadays, then get yourself a desk job doing the designing for a company with lots sparkies...

 

[ricicle]

Forum advisor

Or self-employed with a lad to do the donkey work

 

[Spark123]

LABC inspector

Nah, certain forum members would never leave you alone

Seriously though - have you looked at something like maintenance work for factories? No crawling through loft spaces etc, just a lot of head scraching brain work and number crunching.

 

[RF Lighting]

I would think maintenence would be a good thing to look into.

Either in a factory as mentioned above, or something like reactive commercial maintenence?

Just trotting round town relamping fluorescents, and doing general repairs, with the odd bit of fault finding to boot.

Nice steady work, plenty of cups of coffee, no crawling in voids, and you'll go home clean at the end of every day.

 

[oharaf]

Lecturing at college, the fellas who lectured me were all off the the tools.

Explained stuff brilliantly, in plain terms, couldn't have wanted better!!

We had one academic bloke, he was absolutely sh1te, covered stuff that never needed covering.

Oh i'm on interview tomorrow for 1 days lecturing at Leeds Colege of Building, wish me luck.

And typical no work for 3 weeks, took on a decorating job at a mates garage (huge task;rendering, sanding and the rest) phone goes this evening garden power request!!!! Wehey!!!

 

[DCC]

I have posted this here as I want the opinion of everybody, including the "resident" sparks.

Don't rule out the training option, from what I've read here your answers (and leading questions) come across well.

 

[ColJack]

if you don't want your job anymore SS, can I have it?

 

[Inky Pete]

Seriously though - have you looked at something like maintenance work for factories? No crawling through loft spaces etc, just a lot of head scraching brain work and number crunching.

Was going to suggest something like that, or even an "on the road" type maintenance job if you prefer more freedom. Driving from customer to customer fixing stuff. Could be anything from fork lifts to laser printers.

If you're coming from a self-employed background you might prefer being out on the road with no-one looking over your shoulder and timing your lunch break.

 

[jj4091]

I would have thought that it would depend on what is available in your area & whether you are prepared to re-locate or not( which I would have thought not ) according to the goverment the job centre plus offices are supposed to be full of info about changing career. If you are looking to stay in a related area, then you could do as I did & move into the service & repair of electro/mechanical machinery, there are plenty of options there ( office equipment, medical equipment, domestic appliances,fruit machines, kitchen equipment etc. etc.), but it can involve a lot of driving which becomes a bit of a ball ache after a few years. I would not be worried about the elctronics side of this as it is mostly just replacing PWBs. The best of luck, but I think in the current climate you will need to make it a fairly long term plan.

 

[bernardgreen]

Doesn't one of the sheds have TV adverts where the shelf stackers say things like

" I was a landscape gardener, now I work here "


implying they know about the things they sell.

I am sure one said, " I was an electrician and now I work here " as was handing out advice and a neon screwdriver to some keen DIY chap.....

OK only joking......

 

[securespark]

Thanks for all your suggestions, guys.

Already worked in B & Q in the 80's...

Cannot do too much driving around.

Pete: was S/E prior to October 2005, but have been PAYE since then.

Numerical, LABC sounds good!

Employed by council, should be secure.

And a role that uses my brain (knowledge of regulations), rather than my (rapidly depleting!) brawn.