New guy in South London looking for a career change

[Andrewm1981]

[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]Hi all,[/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]After working 17 years in retail (I'm 34 now), I think it's time for a career change. I earn decent money, but have zero job satisfaction and really dislike my job. I seem to tick all the attributed needed to be a domestic gas engineer ( problem solving ability, great customer service, great work ethic) plus I've always wanted to work for myself and this seems to be a good career move. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]So here I am. Thinking of quitting my job, embarking on a 6 month full time training course, then building up enough experience to go it alone. The experience building aspect will be the hardest, but with enough tenacity I hope I can find someone who will help me. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]Im going to post a longer thread on the gas forum/board, but in the meantime if there's any tips you can fire my way, I'd appreciate it [/COLOR]

Andrew

 

[Atouchofgas]

To many post on here with folk thinking of doing what you are thinking of doing.
If you are serious about this, then it will take you years to get up to being a decent gas engineer especially if you want to do breakdowns ( cust usually not happy at you throwing parts at the boiler ). Oh and you could end up doing the course and never find anyone to give you the experience

 

[jtsplumbing]

Hope you don't think that doing a 6 Mth course is all that is required ! have you been watching someone fix your boiler and thought that looks a nice easy job , 6 Mths you won't even begin to understand the different type of systems or controls, How long do you think its going to take you to become gas safe registered? You need to look at what is involved, if your lucky enough to get registered be ready to take a massive fall in earnings

 

[Andrewm1981]

Hi, thanks for the replies. I have been unhappy in my job for a while, and although I can tolerate working weekends, shift work, and 13 hour days I don't want to be doing that when I'm 65. So I need to make the change at some point. My strengths are a logical mind, great customer service, a strong desire to run my own business, a great work ethic and some capital behind me to get started.

Would the best route be to discuss with local businesses and tradesmen to see if there was anyone willing to help me with my portfolio in 6 months time. Then embark on the course, to make me qualified essentially. This would take 6 months it seems, including 4 months of on the job training. Then develop my practical skills with the local tradesmen earning not very much at all for 18months-2 years, before I start to think about getting a paid job with a firm for 2-3 years. I would then look to become self employed when I've got 5 years experience behind me.

I know in theory things can be very different to reality, but in your experience would you say I'm fairly near to the mark?

Thanks in advance, this would be a massive change in my life, and I want to be 100% sure I'm making the right decision

Andrew