I need to add some qualifications to my trade cert to broaden my options.

Q. Dear Caragh,

I am a self employed electrician with almost 10 years experience predominantly in domestic wiring. As I’m sure you’re aware work has considerably dried up in the area. I will certainly have enough forseeable work until Feb/March but I would really like to start planning other options now, even with a view towards part time work to compliment whatever work I can get in the domestic area.

Basically I need to add some qualifications to my trade cert to broaden my options and preferably through short term/part time courses, nothing fulltime. I have looked into CCTV installation courses and might pursue this as one avenue as I have quite a bit of experience in alarm installation already. I was also thinking maybe something along the lines of telecommunications, technical support, but haven’t a clue where to look for something that would compliment by existing qualifications and not be starting from scratch in a new area of expertise.

I would also be open to other suggestions as I really want to give myself the best possible future and chance to beat the recession.

I know Im posing a real head scratcher!!

Regards,

Johnno

A. Hi Johnno,

By no means a head scratcher- you are thinking along the right lines indeed.

Congratulations on being so pro- active - this attitude will carry you through.

Looking into CCTV and Alarm Installations is a smart way of building on your existing skills, there are vacancies for maintenance electricians available also, you are well positioned to look at roles as a service engineer or as a field installation technician. I would advise you to take every opportunity possible for up-skilling- getting in touch with FAS might be a good idea.

Keeping being pro-active, network like mad and up- skill and you’ll beat this recession. Any more queries let me know.

Good luck!

Caragh

If you have a career or work-related question for our Career Surgeon, you can email Caragh at editorial@findajob.ie