age,benefit or not

[headsander]

hi guys

just joined and would appreciate your feed back. did my 2330 and 2381 in 2006 and just done the 2391 for which i am waiting the result of. ive had a years experience working for small companies on mainly domestic installations. would this be a good cv that would get me a regular position with employers.i have thought is it better to wait for my result of the 2391 before sending cv`s. i know at 44 im a late starter to the trade but hopefully this will be an advantage and not a hindrance as i am very keen to work and learn.would love to know if thats what employers are looking for.

 

[Pensdown]

I can't see your age being a problem so long as you can live on about £150.00 a week as a trainee

 

[DESL]

If you're succesful with 2391 I reckon you'll be more than a trainee.

Depends on what your previous job was and whether that can add value to your cv.

Have you considered the self employed route I did at the age of 53 after redundancy and haven't looked back since

 

[Pensdown]

I'm old school, 1 years experience in one aspect of the trade in my book makes him a trainee, regardless of qualifications.

But that's just my opinion.

 

[DESL]

Pensdown

I see your POV but we don't know the guys background.

I was trying to sweeten the pill having had a career change forced upon me I know what's it like

 

[Slynxx]

Have you considered the self employed route I did at the age of 53 after redundancy and haven't looked back since

Oh good, there's hope for me yet. I have my assessment for Part P with Elecsa on the 15th Jan

 

[Pensdown]

I was trying to sweeten the pill having had a career change forced upon me I know what's it like

That's why I pulled the post up (with zero relies) from the bottom of the list because I also know what it's like. Not first hand like you but trust me, I understand what it’s like.

I also know that from an employer’s point of view the main stumbling block in taking on middle aged "trainees" is money. They can't send them out on their own so they have to be treated like mates, often only for a short time but never the less they can't charge the customer what some of them want to be paid.

And to be fair, at 44 Headsander will probably have financial commitments which may exceed what and employer can afford to pay.

So from what I’ve read on here the best route seems to be self employed and you’re better placed than me to advice on how he breaks out because you’ve done it.

I’ll shut up.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Have you considered the self employed route I did at the age of 53 after redundancy and haven't looked back since

Hi DESL. Me too at 52 after a career in IT. Then the DotCom bubble burst... been self-employed spark since then, no regrets - except for paying the taxman

 

[headsander]

cheers guys for replies. so going self employed ,and with what ive already got,what would be my next steps ?

 

[plugwash]

you need to get yourself into one of the part P self certification schemes.

Then comes the tricky bit, actually finding customers

 

[headsander]

many thanks plugwash

ive had a look at napit and niceic on internet.firstly which one would you recommend and secondly what does their assessment consist of.at the moment im not doin any electrical work but am searching all avenues.

 

[djrichie_t]

Part P is only necessary if you want to work in houses (or anywhere classed as a 'dwelling') - my advice to anyone looking to do electrical work is to offer services to commercial properties, factories, that sort of thing.

1) theres more money in it

2) youre not having to feel like youre 'intruding' on someones property

3) you can more often take your time doing the work youre doing, and bwe proud of the job youve done

4) youre more likely to get paid what youre worth and not having to argue with customers about time taken etc.

plus loads more - yep theres a few downsides to doing more industrial work but overall, the money is better, and people are friendlier to work with.

Another avenue is theres always lots of work in the entertainment/stage/theatre industry, again its commercial so more viable.

 

[RF Lighting]

The one HUUUUGE disadvantave with factory work or specialist installations such as theatres is the fact you need a much much much better understanding of things, and ALOT more experience of that sort of installation, as opposed to domestic work where there is not as much to learn.


Can you imagine a not long out of college domestic installer working on three phase distribution or a 500 channel theatrical dimmer system?

 

[Pensdown]

...and to add a few more, 99.9% of commercial clients want full NIC registration as a minimum, proof of financial stability, (often 5 years accounts) a trading record, the list goes on.

Then there’s cash flow. 45-90 days before being paid.

Sorry dj but that's a really daft suggestion

 

[djrichie_t]

its never been a prob for me. im just speaking from experience, thats all.

I spose its who you know at the end of the day, i mean do a decent job for some1 on an industrial estate and u soon get work from their fellow businesses.

NIC registration means naff all. I have seen horrendous work carried out by NIC and Part P registered people it makes me chuckle how people think a registration number can prove electrical work is sound. it doesnt.

Its just how you approach companies offering to carry out work, its much easier than you think. paperwork aside!