starting a new buisness

[lewjam]

I currently work as an Electrical Technician in a plastics manufacturing plant. I want to get out of the mundane task of shift work. Can anybody explain what i need to get i.e cg 2381 and 2391. I want to start it off on my days off and still do the shift work until i can see that there's enough work available. Also who do i need to speak to regarding tax and stuff. Any info would be most appreciated.

[Jimbo]

Lewjam, you must obtain 2381 first it is a requisite of the 2391 that you hold the qualification. So first things first, your local college will do a course it may be days or a night one. Normally it is about 25 hours attendance ie 10 evenings 2 and a bit hours a night the day one will obviously be shorter. You can buy the course on flea bay but I dont know anyone who has, there is also a very good chance that there are private trainers near you and they do the course in small groups. The course itself is quite straight forward, terminology is the hardest bit to get your head round, the 2381 is also open book ie all reference material can be used in the exam room. Get that one out of the way and then look at the 2391. Expect to pay around £350 ish I reckon although I may be a little out of date , should you live in Kent get back to me because I know a few tutors here. Regards Jimbo

[conductor]

Hi Lewjam,

You can get the 2381 quite easily. I downloaded some information and an exam simulator from electacourse and booked in to Lockwells training centre for just the exam. I had the highest mark in our group and all the others had paid (over £400 I think) for a weeks course. They give you a copy of the wiring regs which you can use in the exam but really you need a copy yourself anyway to get to know the layout.The exam simultr showed me I was capable of passing and I had almost exactly the same mark in the real exam.

You can go about the 2391 the same way but it's a MUCH more difficult exam and practical experience goes a very long way.

Hope this helps

[solo3uk]

Don`t worry about the taxman Lewjam. Once you become self employed it will be obvious to him you are not PAYE anymore and will be wondering what you are doing now...............so he will send you a tax return for you to fill without much rush. You fill it with perhaps zilch earnings or whatever you earned since you left full employment. He might give you a very high tax code thinking you suddenly became a brain surgeon and earn a lot of money, however you don`t have to pay any tax until you earn more than your allowance which will be above £4000, that means that you only start paying tax on earnings above £4000 +.
You are right saying that even becoming a fully qualified electrician doesn`t guarantee steady or living wage. Nowadays one has to be versatile, so if you have a ******** you should combine part time work with self employment to see how it goes.
Don`t worry about the taxman, he only wants what is rightly due.