What skills are required in the UK?
May 29th 2010, 6:41 am
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 99
What skills are required in the UK?
Hi guys,
I need some advice. Within the next 2-3 years, there is a very real possibility that I could be returning to the UK. It might be for as short as 3 years, but it could be longer. My dilemma is this. My original trade was a mechanical engineer, mostly to do with Rotary pumps. Then after being here for a few years I got a job with MAF doing a diploma in horticulture in the mean time.
Now I have no real desire to go back to engineering, and I feel it could be restrictive in where we could settle anyway (and the area WILL be dependant on my wifes position, which could be in a small town probably on the coast, not an industrial area). I've never really done horticulture, and don't really have any interest in it anyway (just did the course because I had to to get the job!).
And here lies my problem. I need to work out what trades or skills are in shortage, so I can skill myself up. I have never worked for myself, and I quite like the idea. I've thought about Electrician, but that could take too long to get qualified. I couldn't be a plumber....hate poohs!!
I'm open to any idea's (apart from Plumber).
Looking forward to your thoughts.
I need some advice. Within the next 2-3 years, there is a very real possibility that I could be returning to the UK. It might be for as short as 3 years, but it could be longer. My dilemma is this. My original trade was a mechanical engineer, mostly to do with Rotary pumps. Then after being here for a few years I got a job with MAF doing a diploma in horticulture in the mean time.
Now I have no real desire to go back to engineering, and I feel it could be restrictive in where we could settle anyway (and the area WILL be dependant on my wifes position, which could be in a small town probably on the coast, not an industrial area). I've never really done horticulture, and don't really have any interest in it anyway (just did the course because I had to to get the job!).
And here lies my problem. I need to work out what trades or skills are in shortage, so I can skill myself up. I have never worked for myself, and I quite like the idea. I've thought about Electrician, but that could take too long to get qualified. I couldn't be a plumber....hate poohs!!
I'm open to any idea's (apart from Plumber).
Looking forward to your thoughts.
May 29th 2010, 7:11 am
#2
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,013
Re: What skills are required in the UK?
Hi guys,
I need some advice. Within the next 2-3 years, there is a very real possibility that I could be returning to the UK. It might be for as short as 3 years, but it could be longer. My dilemma is this. My original trade was a mechanical engineer, mostly to do with Rotary pumps. Then after being here for a few years I got a job with MAF doing a diploma in horticulture in the mean time.
Now I have no real desire to go back to engineering, and I feel it could be restrictive in where we could settle anyway (and the area WILL be dependant on my wifes position, which could be in a small town probably on the coast, not an industrial area). I've never really done horticulture, and don't really have any interest in it anyway (just did the course because I had to to get the job!).
And here lies my problem. I need to work out what trades or skills are in shortage, so I can skill myself up. I have never worked for myself, and I quite like the idea. I've thought about Electrician, but that could take too long to get qualified. I couldn't be a plumber....hate poohs!!
I'm open to any idea's (apart from Plumber).
Looking forward to your thoughts.
I need some advice. Within the next 2-3 years, there is a very real possibility that I could be returning to the UK. It might be for as short as 3 years, but it could be longer. My dilemma is this. My original trade was a mechanical engineer, mostly to do with Rotary pumps. Then after being here for a few years I got a job with MAF doing a diploma in horticulture in the mean time.
Now I have no real desire to go back to engineering, and I feel it could be restrictive in where we could settle anyway (and the area WILL be dependant on my wifes position, which could be in a small town probably on the coast, not an industrial area). I've never really done horticulture, and don't really have any interest in it anyway (just did the course because I had to to get the job!).
And here lies my problem. I need to work out what trades or skills are in shortage, so I can skill myself up. I have never worked for myself, and I quite like the idea. I've thought about Electrician, but that could take too long to get qualified. I couldn't be a plumber....hate poohs!!
I'm open to any idea's (apart from Plumber).
Looking forward to your thoughts.
Painter/decorator
- I can't get one of either to even come by and give me a quote so if you just turn up, you'd be doing pretty well.
I think a lot of people need general basic handyman jobs done around the house too, but don't want to pay a joiner, etc., so if you have good general fixing skills and a decent set of tools you'd probably have plenty of business too. Because there isn't a lot of movement in the housing market, I think a lot of people are into the austerity/make do and mend mentality.
May 29th 2010, 7:52 am
#3
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 99
Re: What skills are required in the UK?
Carpet fitter
Painter/decorator
- I can't get one of either to even come by and give me a quote so if you just turn up, you'd be doing pretty well.
I think a lot of people need general basic handyman jobs done around the house too, but don't want to pay a joiner, etc., so if you have good general fixing skills and a decent set of tools you'd probably have plenty of business too. Because there isn't a lot of movement in the housing market, I think a lot of people are into the austerity/make do and mend mentality.
Painter/decorator
- I can't get one of either to even come by and give me a quote so if you just turn up, you'd be doing pretty well.
I think a lot of people need general basic handyman jobs done around the house too, but don't want to pay a joiner, etc., so if you have good general fixing skills and a decent set of tools you'd probably have plenty of business too. Because there isn't a lot of movement in the housing market, I think a lot of people are into the austerity/make do and mend mentality.
Last edited by kooga61; May 29th 2010 at 7:55 am.
May 29th 2010, 2:48 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 14,284
Re: What skills are required in the UK?
I have never heard, either in the media or through word of mouth, that there is a particular shortage or surplus of any kind of tradesperson to be honest. I did a major house renovation in 2008 and had no trouble getting trades people and on the other hand the tradies I spoke to seemed ot have enough work on. I dealt with builders, carpenters, plumbers, electricians..
I recommend you just chose something you want to do because you want to do it, not because of some perceived idea about shortages.
I recommend you just chose something you want to do because you want to do it, not because of some perceived idea about shortages.
Jun 7th 2010, 6:38 am
#5
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 21
Re: What skills are required in the UK?
