Newly Qualified - what now?

[Gas safety guy]

Hi there

I have recently completed an intensive gas safe course and have my full ACS including portfolio having spent about 3 months on placement with a local gas company. I'm not sure which route to take now. I have been self employed for 20 years in 2 different industries (unrelated to gas). I have a fair bit of business know how and lots of contacts, including people who own property. I have a few options - 1. try to secure employment as an entry level engineer with a company 2. Get a job meter fitting which pays the bills whilst doing gas safety certs/servicing in the evening, gradually building up my clientele 3. Go it alone, employ an experienced guy who I can then learn from whilst developing the business and getting customers.

In in my position which of the 3 would you choose? I have approached a few smaller companies for experience but to be honest they seem a bit worried that I will form my own company and steal their work! I have already been approached by several people asking me to do installs for them but I'm not ready for that level of work on my own yet. If I go it alone and employ someone would I be able to subby servicing etc from the likes of home serve? Any thoughts much appreciated.

 

[mfgs]

Going it alone and employing someone is suicidal with no existing customer base. Get yourself a steady job for a year or two to gain experience and try and do private jobs on the side in the evenings and weekends. That way you will be building up your customers and also give you the opportunity to save some money to start up on your own.

 

[rpm]

No.1 Very difficult as you have found out for the reason you gave.
No.3 Possible but costly drain on the funds for months / years

 

[Gas safety guy]

Hi thanks for taking time to reply. Kind of what I'm thinking anyway. I have the money to start up and also have a back up income from property but it totally makes sense to get more hands on experience before going it alone. I have tools and am gas safe registered, just passed my first inspection. Myself and my wife do have a lot of business development experience so I think we'd be able to build clientele. The issues I'm coming up against when applying or approaching people for jobs is that they are wary of employing someone who has been self employed for so long. Will just have to keep at it! A bit frustrating when people are asking you to install boilers for them and you can't, hence I thought I could kill 2 birds with one stone by employing someone good to teach me at the same time! Would probably not be that easy though. Thanks again for input.

 

[Gas safety guy]

So number 2 seems sensible!

 

[rpm]

So number 2 seems sensible!

Well it`s an income and you might pick up other plumbing work along the way

 

[Riley]

Have you only done gas training? Do you have plumbing experience?

 

[Gas safety guy]

Hi Riley only gas for now. May look into doing some plumbing courses at the local college.

 

[rpm]

Hi Riley only gas for now. May look into doing some plumbing courses at the local college.

Good Q Riley. That changes a lot, my replies where based on you having at least a basic working knowledge and some experience.

 

[Gas safety guy]

This is a total change for me.