B
blewards
Hello folks, new to this forum so hopefully I am not going over old ground here. Had a scan through some existing threads and I dont think my questions are answered elsewhere so hence i started this post.
Basically I am toying with the idea of possibly starting my own electrical firm - one man band sort of thing. I have already had meetings with the local goverment enterprise to get clued up about accounts/tax returns/ business plans etc but what i am unsure on is my current qualifications and if they will stop me from doing certain work.
I finished my apprenticeship and passed my FICA in 2000. I have my 16th edition and also inspection & testing and thats it. I left the company who put me through my apprenticeship in 2002 as the travelling all over the UK was not as good as it started out and my old boss was starting to muck me about over pay, anyway and I manged to get work as an electrical maintenance engineer for a local organisation. The thing is I have not looked at a regs book, on site guide or done any testing in over 6 years now. Had a flick through the books recently and most of it came back to me but i had forgetten a few test procedures. I still do some minor installtions/ upgrades and have carried out work in my own home so i have kept my hand in the hands on side of it.
Anyway to get to my points...
With the 17th edition coming out will i need to do some sort of refresher course? or can i trade as a sparky but with 16th qualifications. If i dont have my 17th can i carry out testing work? say periodic or installations? I noticed alot of posts about "Part P" is this an extra as well as doing the 17th? Basically there is the chance that i can take over the maintenance of over 150 flats but these will possibly require periodic testing to be carried out.
Does a firm need to be NICEIC or Select approved to be able to trade?
Sorry for the war and peace post but i really dont know where to get the answers. i may try and speak with my old college lecturers as well for advice.
Cheers in advance
Blewards
Basically I am toying with the idea of possibly starting my own electrical firm - one man band sort of thing. I have already had meetings with the local goverment enterprise to get clued up about accounts/tax returns/ business plans etc but what i am unsure on is my current qualifications and if they will stop me from doing certain work.
I finished my apprenticeship and passed my FICA in 2000. I have my 16th edition and also inspection & testing and thats it. I left the company who put me through my apprenticeship in 2002 as the travelling all over the UK was not as good as it started out and my old boss was starting to muck me about over pay, anyway and I manged to get work as an electrical maintenance engineer for a local organisation. The thing is I have not looked at a regs book, on site guide or done any testing in over 6 years now. Had a flick through the books recently and most of it came back to me but i had forgetten a few test procedures. I still do some minor installtions/ upgrades and have carried out work in my own home so i have kept my hand in the hands on side of it.
Anyway to get to my points...
With the 17th edition coming out will i need to do some sort of refresher course? or can i trade as a sparky but with 16th qualifications. If i dont have my 17th can i carry out testing work? say periodic or installations? I noticed alot of posts about "Part P" is this an extra as well as doing the 17th? Basically there is the chance that i can take over the maintenance of over 150 flats but these will possibly require periodic testing to be carried out.
Does a firm need to be NICEIC or Select approved to be able to trade?
Sorry for the war and peace post but i really dont know where to get the answers. i may try and speak with my old college lecturers as well for advice.
Cheers in advance
Blewards