There are a few options available to you:

• Shadow Work
• Agency Work (Mainly for Plumbers or Electricians Mates/Improvers)
• Permanent Work

Shadow work is quite simply shadowing a tradesperson for a couple of days a week on a voluntary basis.  Companies like doing this as they do not have to pay extra wages and they are getting some help on site and you are getting training.  This is  of particular interest to those students who are already working and want to gain further experience before deciding what path to take.

Agency work is going through the agencies and trying to find work as a plumber or electrical mate/improver.  Invariably, Mate work is geared towards the new learner and will be of invaluable experience.  Of course agency work is only short term because of deadlines and be warned it is hard graft!  In general, agency work pays between £8.50 - £10.00 per hour depending on where you are in the country.

Permanent work obviously as the name suggests, is where you will be working for a company on a permanent basis and regular wage.  Per annum the pay can range from £15,000 - £20,000 starting salary.  Some of you will think that this is not a lot of money but once you start learning new skills this will gradually increase.

You can contact Rachel Tamblyn, on 07889 365 742 or email her at rachelt@newcareerskills.co.uk. However, a whole abundance of information is listed on this website, but if you want to have a one to one chat then he will be more than happy to speak to you.

Should you wish to contact Rachel regarding CVs then you will need to email your current CV and it will be amended accordingly, sent back to you and sent to contacts throughout the country.  You can also leave it with potential employees at companies that you may find in your local area.

First and foremost click on the icon below to take you to vacancies to see if there is anything in your area.  If unsuccessful, get out and about!  Look in your local area, your local newspapers, the internet, pop into local firms (electrical, plumbing, Estate Agents, letting agents etc) and have a chat with the owner.  DON’T ASK FOR A JOB! Just have a friendly chat and get them to talk about themselves.  Below are some points to use when searching for a job.

• Use open questions when speaking (what, who, where, when, how)
• Be yourself
• Be polite and ALWAYS thank someone for their time
• Don’t ask for a job, ask if you can be of any help then leave a number
• Think positively, if you get turned down don’t worry – it’s THEIR loss.
• Look in local press, read the headlines and see if there is anything about local firms
• Think outside the box (clichéd I know, but it works wonders) where can you look for work that no one has thought of?
• Stay focused

The best advice I can give you is to ALWAYS BE PROFESSIONAL.  When you eventually start your own company this will become hugely apparent.

In my experience I would say the best answer to this question is to look for work when you have finished the course.  This way you have the qualifications and all the practical experience.  However, if you can find work while you are studying then please go for it!

NCS Search will do everything possible to find you work.  But it is also a two way process, look around your local area and see what is happening.

Whilst looking for work to give yourself a bit more practical experience, ask friends and family members if they need any help on their properties at the weekends, or have a look at your own house.  Is there anything that can be done on that?

If you’re currently unemployed, agency work is always a good option.  It will only be short term but you will gain experience and earn some money along the way. 

There is also the option of shadow working.  This is working alongside a specific tradesman for a couple of days a week, just to gain experience.  Unfortunately, it is not paid work, but completely voluntary.  The good thing about doing this is that it could lead to a permanent position within the company that you are shadowing with. 

Finally, when you do go out to work- always remember that if you are new to your chosen industry, you will be doing a lot of the ‘Donkey Work’ which will include some very boring duties.  Everyone has to start at the bottom and work their way up.  Bear with it and the rewards will be worth it.

Of course!  Setting yourself up as a sole trader is a great move at the moment as there seems to be a big trend in local people using local companies.  You are probably asking why this is.  There are various reasons, the housing market is in a slump and people are using local qualified trade’s people, the public is fed up with big corporate companies taking the money and not giving good service, larger businesses are not particularly interested in domestic work etc. 

Personally, I think there are plenty of reasons and the main one is recommendation.  If you give a good service you will be recommended to someone else.  People buy people.  80% of all business is recommendation.  I cannot stress this enough - the domestic market is very big at the moment and you can have a piece of it. 

Be Professional, Be Polite And It Will Work Wonders.

So in short, if you feel you are ready to work for yourself and you feel confident then go for it.  Click on the box below for information about promoting yourself

Let’s start by being realistic; you are not the only person in your chosen field.  There are thousands of other people out there that want to make money and you are going to have to compete with them!  Always bear that in mind.  So think about it – “What can I do that is different to other people?” There are some simple ideas like getting a CRB (criminal records bureau) check to show when you are working in someone’s house, join the local chamber of commerce, advertise in local parish magazines. 

Read about successful businessmen like Richard Branson, Bill Gates, James Dyson.  But the most important tool you should always have with you is a business card.  Wherever you go always hand these out.  You never know when an opportunity will present itself to you and you must be prepared.  Get some flyers designed (click on FAQs for advice) and distribute them in your local area.  Below are some tips for promoting yourself:

• Surf the net – See what is happening in your local area or nearby.  How can it help you?
• Look at Trade Fairs. Is there a local one near you or a city near you?
• Keep a record of your customers and mail shot them once in a while – and send them a Xmas card!
• Think differently! What can you do that your competition can’t?
• Don’t drop on price – If someone else’s quote is cheaper then don’t match it, sell your services – e.g. you will guarantee your work for a year etc

First of all, I would recommend that you use Vistaprint.co.uk it is an excellent website that covers all your needs (and it is also reasonably priced as well!) You need to look at a postcard sized flyer – that is probably the best size, any bigger and it will have the adverse effect. When designing the flyer, if possible, try to use white space. White space will attract the eye and stimulate your sub conscious into looking at it. Try and put a picture that is relevant to your business on it. For example a dripping tap for a plumber, a light switch for an electrician or a house for a DEA.

Don’t go for anything too jokey though, it can have an adverse effect. KEEP IT SIMPLE, there is no need to go over the top. People will tell you that flyers do not work and that most people bin them as soon as they receive them.  Strangely, this is true.  The idea of the flyer is to be read and to be seen.  The probability is that out of 100 flyers you will only get 3 maybe 4 calls.  Have the flyer made on cardboard and have a gloss to it,  this will entice people to keep hold of it.  This is due to the fact that a piece of paper is easily scrunched up and thrown away, whereas a bit of cardboard shows effort and professionalism and is more difficult to scrunch up. Remember, keep it simple!  Try and use white space with black writing.  Now I am not saying don't put any colour in it, but try to get some white space in the flier.  The eye is drawn towards white and it makes it stand out from the crowd.

The important thing to remember about advertising is to think of your target audience.  Who do you want to reach, how can you promote yourself and business with minimal fuss.  The best tip that I can give you is to look locally. Look at your local papers and magazines, local shop notice boards, some pubs even allow you to put business cards in them now. 

An idea that I liked was to advertise in a local church magazine – cheap, cost effective and bound to be seen. Yellow pages/Thompson local – On a personal basis, I believe that these once handy directories, have become nothing but a tool for cold calling and would yell.com instead.  In Hastings there is a little magazine that covers an area called St Leonards. 

The magazine is called The Bohemia and it has news articles about the area and anything new that is going on.  Have a look at your local newspapers.  If you have an interesting background or are doing something different phone them up and see if they are interested in talking to you. 

Think about the current economical climate could you use it to your advantage for a story?  You could tell them how you have re trained and are now doing plumbing or electrical work. Was you made redundant and have retrained?  Think about who you are and how you can sell yourself to a newspaper. Below are some tips

• Keep your advert simple
• All advertising is good advertising, NOT TRUE
• Think about your area – Start locally
• Think about yourself and how you can utilise your life experiences

Full time employment offers you the chance to improve on your skills and hopefully go onto do further training.  It is always worth remembering that when you start in your new job you will make mistakes. This is the process of learning, and your employer will expect this of you.  You will be doing a lot of ‘donkey work’ which is running around doing things that have nothing to do with your particular trade. Don’t worry, it is all about learning and when you finally feel confident enough to start up your own company you will realise how important it is.  Below are some points to remember when working for a company.

• Always ask questions if you are unsure of anything
• Take your time, think back to your training
• Be sociable – you can make contacts this way and it makes for a pleasing work environment
• ALWAYS BE SAFE – Your safety is paramount, use caution.

In conclusion, working for a company and going onto different sites is a great experience.  Not only will you learn more about your chosen trade but you will learn comradery, team building skills and loads of other life enhancing traits.

No problems click on the link below and you will directed to the New Training Courses area. Alternatively, click on the New Careers Skills Website icon or the Contact us icon.

Help is just a phone call away.

If you have a problem regarding your training or you are on site and need some advice, please call the relevant number listed below.

Head Office: 01424 773650
Practical Bookings Line: 01424 774596
Plumbing Tutor: 02380 278 660
Electrical Tutor: 02380 278 660
DEA Tutor: 02380 278 660

If you have any questions regarding employment or promoting yourself or if you are unsure about anything, then please do not hesitate to contact me, Rachel Tamblyn, on 07889 365 742 or rachelt@newcareerskills.co.uk and I will be more than happy to help.

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Yes, you can speak to Rachel Tamblyn, on 07889 365 742 or email her at rachelt@newcareerskills.co.uk. She can help you with any enquiries that you may have.