New career

Andy1990 · Post by **Andy1990** » Thu Aug 05, 2021 12:46 pm

Hi,

Sorry if this is in the wrong section, but I'm just hoping for some general advice.

I initially trained as a joiner, NVQ level 3 approx 10 years ago. I decided to go down a completely unrelated route, and now have a n urge to go back to this line of work.

I was just hoping for a few pointers on how to make myself as employable as possible, and the best jobs/roles to be looking out for.

Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Thu Aug 05, 2021 1:58 pm

Would you not be better off finding a company you like the sound of and find out what THEY want?

Andy1990 · Post by **Andy1990** » Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:25 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 1:58 pm Would you not be better off finding a company you like the sound of and find out what THEY want?

Yes, I appreciate that, and have contacted a few companies for advice. As it can take a while to get a response, I’m trying other avenues for advice also

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Thu Aug 05, 2021 4:49 pm

I would consider kitchen fitting as a self-employed chippy. Okay, some start-up costs like a van and extra tools for site work. You will have to either do multi trade or have a circle of decent contractors to sub out bits of work to you can not do. There is a real boom in people doing home improvements with money saved from lockdowns and no holidays, so much so that there is a shortage of good workers around. Once you have done a few jobs, word of mouth will start bringing more work in (as long as you don't cods it up), you just need to take the first step and have confidence in yourself.

DWD

oz0707 · Post by **oz0707** » Thu Aug 05, 2021 7:08 pm

There was a kitchen fitter on site other week got talking to him. He had one of those dewalt power pack things which has about 5 flex volts in and gives him 110v for his saw and extractor.
Anyway he had only really taken it up last few years. He was something completely different a few years ago can't remember what it was. So it can be done. Contact symphony see if they take on improvers.

Essentially that's what you want to be touting yourself as. Get kitted out then look for an improved role

ahfix · Post by **ahfix** » Fri Aug 06, 2021 9:19 am

Odd jobs / handyman services are another avenue ... but just keep your skills list short and related e.g. Fencing repairs, Kitching fitting, flatpack furniture builds.

There is nothing more off putting than seeing "Grass Cutting, Roofing, Plumbing and Joinery" and more all on side of the same van (true example).

Job and Knock · Post by **Job and Knock** » Fri Aug 06, 2021 6:48 pm

If you have an NVQ then you can get a CSCS card. That allows you to work on site, although you do need to do the health and safety test, and you will need safety boots (SBP or S1P minimum), hard hat and a hi viz as well. Providing you have a basic tool kit and cordlesses you could then try the agencies for work. You will either sink or swim. TBH you can't be any worse than some of the absolute morons I have had sent to me in recent years.

If you are any good, moving through different jobs will let you gain experience as well as finding out what you are good at. Not sure that kitchen fitting is a good area to start simply because it requires a comprehensive tool kit and in most cases (other than on big sites or for councils) you will need to be able to do your own water and waste plumbing, have an understanding of electrics, etc

oz0707 · Post by **oz0707** » Fri Aug 06, 2021 7:02 pm

Yes agency is a good shout you will pick up loads of varied work. I have lads occasionally call me asking if any apprenticeships going I always say best advice I can give you is to do the cscs safety test get a card even if it's green then at least u can go on site.

fin · Post by **fin** » Fri Aug 06, 2021 7:33 pm

plumbing on kitchens is not difficult at all like. i do my own in copper just coz i can basically. end feed fittings and ive got benders to form any necessary bends and that. just feel as if it looks better than plastic push fit

Job and Knock · Post by **Job and Knock** » Fri Aug 06, 2021 10:21 pm

I wasn't saying it was, Fin, but it is another skill to become proficient at and yet more kit to buy. At the beginning surely it is going to be hard enough for the OP to build his kit to make a living installing joinery, let alone take on another trafe's skills and kit.

I don't know about you, but I found that to do kitchens you often need to be able to core out masonry for ductwork and pipework in addition to being able to cut, form and join water pipework (soldering or crimping), wastes (solvent weld) and extraction ducting. And I always found it worthwhile being able to do a bit of plasterwork repair, dot and dab (for where walls are ropey) and tiling (for splashbacks).

Job and Knock · Post by **Job and Knock** » Fri Aug 06, 2021 10:27 pm

oz0707 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 06, 2021 7:02 pm ...do the cscs safety test get a card even if it's green then at least u can go on site.

But only as a labourer (green card), and for the last 4 (?) years even that has required an NVQ Level 1 (?) in basic site skills to get the first time round - basically a day course and a couple of hundred quid.

We are no longer supposed to employ skilled trades on a green (labourers) card - they must now have a blue or gold card or they aren't allowed on. At least that's how the larger construction firms are playing it. It's to stop untrained trades, in theory...

oz0707 · Post by **oz0707** » Sat Aug 07, 2021 8:23 am

I turned up to new site the other month, been going over 2 years, building loads of homes. Realised I'd forgot my cscs. Site agent didn't even ask for it!

Job and Knock · Post by **Job and Knock** » Sat Aug 07, 2021 8:58 am

Question is, who was the contractor? I'm referring (from experience) to the bigger guys like Balfour Beatty, Keir, Interserve, Galiford Try, ISG, Bowmer & Kirkland, Russells, Renaker, McAlpine, etc. I've never worked for the house only builders, but I'm told by my timber frame colleagues that the bigger house builders generally adopt the same approach. Only got onto site maybe twice in the last 10 years without a CSCS card (and even got thrown off one Carillion job because I had the wrong card - a white Corian fabricator's card when I should have had a blue or gold carpenter's card).

If you have it and they don't ask, then you are on, but if you don't have it and they do ask, you can be barred until you have it - so loss of income.

oz0707 · Post by **oz0707** » Sat Aug 07, 2021 11:10 am

Yeh all the bigger ones will need it like you say.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sat Aug 07, 2021 11:25 am

It sounds like a nightmare working on sites these days and with this in mind would it be the right move for the OP to move into that arena of work given the expectation of speed and delivery plus all the tickets required. I would have thought a more measured pathway into the work would be lighter domestic tasks. It really is hard to find people to do a few basic jobs these days and a leaflet drop will get him work to get started.

DWD