Hello to one and all. Spent most of this morning browsing this forum and thought why not stick my toe into the water and give it a try... I'd really appreciate any constructive feedback from any of the experienced members on here with regards to my current 'predicament'. Thanks in anticipation.
Quick snapshot of my situation - Did traditional electrical apprenticeship back in mid 1970's, qualified up to the old C&G 'C Cert' (later became Part 3) but by mid 1980's had re-trained and moved into Computer Maintenance industry. 22 years at that before jacking it in 2005 to start a residential property business of my own. Along the way I'd jumped back in and got my 17th Edition as had always done majority of my own electrical work (was mainly refurbing/reselling properties).
On the whole, things were generally good but post 2008 economic downturn put a bit of a dent in it all and after plodding along for a while I chucked that in about 3 years ago and went into semi-retirement and since then have just worked 3 days a week in a stress-free driving job that has absolutely nothing to do with electrics, computers or property! (my income is supplemented by property investments).
Having recently spoken with a couple of local sparks my instinct is telling me to jump back in and see if I can make a few quid even if it's just for a couple of years. I'd like to think there's still a bit of an entrepreneurial streak within me and whenever I hear and read of what some sparkys describe as 'problems' I often see them more as 'opportunities' (must be the salesman in me!).
I'd like to hang on to the driving job but drop it to just 1 or 2 days a week (employer ok with that) so I'm wondering should I simply try and tout between 1 and 3 days work per week off a local sparky or is it worth getting myself approved by Elecsa or similar and go it alone in my own local area?
I've been told that getting approved might be as simple as have them watch me change a CU in my own house?
Definitely don't want a full-time sparky job hence I thought the idea of having access to a 'flexi-man' might suit other sparky's who might need help but perhap's can't justify taking on someone full time anyway?
So what does the floor think? Say what you feel like saying I've got fairly thick skin! :bucktooth:
Quick snapshot of my situation - Did traditional electrical apprenticeship back in mid 1970's, qualified up to the old C&G 'C Cert' (later became Part 3) but by mid 1980's had re-trained and moved into Computer Maintenance industry. 22 years at that before jacking it in 2005 to start a residential property business of my own. Along the way I'd jumped back in and got my 17th Edition as had always done majority of my own electrical work (was mainly refurbing/reselling properties).
On the whole, things were generally good but post 2008 economic downturn put a bit of a dent in it all and after plodding along for a while I chucked that in about 3 years ago and went into semi-retirement and since then have just worked 3 days a week in a stress-free driving job that has absolutely nothing to do with electrics, computers or property! (my income is supplemented by property investments).
Having recently spoken with a couple of local sparks my instinct is telling me to jump back in and see if I can make a few quid even if it's just for a couple of years. I'd like to think there's still a bit of an entrepreneurial streak within me and whenever I hear and read of what some sparkys describe as 'problems' I often see them more as 'opportunities' (must be the salesman in me!).
I'd like to hang on to the driving job but drop it to just 1 or 2 days a week (employer ok with that) so I'm wondering should I simply try and tout between 1 and 3 days work per week off a local sparky or is it worth getting myself approved by Elecsa or similar and go it alone in my own local area?
I've been told that getting approved might be as simple as have them watch me change a CU in my own house?
Definitely don't want a full-time sparky job hence I thought the idea of having access to a 'flexi-man' might suit other sparky's who might need help but perhap's can't justify taking on someone full time anyway?
So what does the floor think? Say what you feel like saying I've got fairly thick skin! :bucktooth: