When it comes to working as a tradesperson, there are no shortage of career avenues available. One popular option is to become self-employed; there are many benefits to being your own boss, so it's not hard to see why so many people are drawn to this route.
In fact, the opportunity to become self-employed is one of the main reasons why so many people choose to learn a trade in the first place.
If you're interested in training to become a tradesperson, you might be looking to find out a little more about what potential career opportunities will be available to you once you've completed your training. If so, this blog has relevant information for you.
What are the benefits of self-employment?
There are many reasons why a qualified tradesperson might want to be his/her own boss. Notable perks include:
Choosing Your Own Clients
Self-employed tradespeople can choose what jobs to accept and who to work for.
Increased Flexibility & Control
When you're your own boss, you can call the shots in every regard. The hours you work, how much to charge for each job, when you can go on holiday - in these and all other matters, you're the boss (literally!).
Earning More Money
Obviously this isn't guaranteed, but there's a good chance that you'll end up better off financially if you start your own trade business compared to working for someone else.
Building Something You Can Be Proud Of
Starting your own business from the ground up is no small feat; a massive amount of time and effort goes into making a business successful. Years down the line, when you step back and look at everything you've accomplished, the pride you will feel is unparalleled, and far beyond anything you're likely to feel while working for someone else's business.
Tips to help you succeed as a self-employed tradesperson
As you can see, there's no shortage of reasons to consider becoming your own boss. The freedoms and flexibilities described above are what makes self-employment such an attractive opportunity for many in the trade industry.
That said, some tradespeople - in their eagerness to enjoy these advantages - can overlook some important aspects of what it takes to run a business.
If you're thinking of becoming a self-employed tradesman or tradeswoman, here are a few tips and suggestions that you should consider before making the jump.
1) Get Experience
Before looking to go self-employed, make sure you have the relevant experience. It will make it easier to sell your services to new clients if you're able to establish a history of good work - especially if you can show case studies that display your competence.
2) Get Qualified
Most of your potential customers will want to see evidence that you're actually qualified - after all, shoddy plumbing or electrical work can be very expensive to repair. No matter how much experience you have, a qualification is essential.
Looking to get qualified? Access Training has a variety of courses in a number of trades. Whether you're a complete beginner or a qualified tradesperson looking to specialise, we're sure to have a suitable course for you.
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3) Get Insurance
There are a wide variety of different insurance policies available for self-employed tradespeople, and it's important that you select the best one for your business. Whether you're a solo trader, a limited company, or a partnership, it's important to make sure that you're covered for every eventuality.
4) Market Your Business
Even if you already have a solid client base, it's a benefit to your business to have a good reputation circling. Providing good services may help good publicity to spread via word of mouth, but as a self-employed tradesperson, it's in your best interests to help things along in any way you can. Whether it's creating a simple social media profile or hiring a website designer, you should take steps to establish a presence for your business - particularly online.
5) Ask for Help
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Look at YouTube videos and peruse online forums - you'll see there's no shortage of advice available online. If you know any other self-employed tradespeople, ask them for advice and about what challenges they faced when they were first getting started, so you can have a better idea of what to expect.
Bonus Tip: Do Your Research!
As you can see, owning your own business comes with a lot of responsibility. From taxes to insurance, business plans to marketing, there are many thinks to think about. As tempting as self-employment might seem, make sure you do your research first, and ensure that you're properly prepared to take on all of the challenges (and rewards) that come with being self-employed.
If you're interested in finding out more about the different career avenues available to tradespeople, contact the Access Training team today. We'll do everything we can to support you as you pursue your career goals.
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READ MORE: Becoming Self Employed