The South African prepaid industry is a growing one, with men and women being given access to skills development and training, we are seeing more people considering careers as electricians and plumbers. Almost every building, whether residential or commercial, has basic utilities such as electricity and plumbing, therefore the demand for qualified installers is always high. If you’ve considered becoming an electrician or plumber, we’ve put together a list of things to help you understand what your career path will look like:
Get certified
Electricians and plumbers don’t need to have a university degree but industry-recognised training is required to become a qualified installer. If you are considering a career as an installer then we encourage you to make contact with the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA). Through professional partnerships and accredited training centres the ECA offers a variety of skills development and training courses to equip aspiring electrical practitioners. The Institute of Plumbing SA is a great start for those looking to become plumbers. They can advise on the different plumbing schools currently available. Read our next blog post on how to get certified as a contractor.
Consider an internship
You’ve just got your certification and keen to start your own business, however, sometimes the best thing to do is consider an internship. An internship gives you the opportunity to gain on-the-job training from experts with years of experience, so you can hone your skills in a real world setting. Many certification programs or trade schools will also help you connect with professional contractors who you can work with as an apprentice.
Professional Equipment
Once you start gaining ample experience, it’s important to invest in the right tools and equipment. Start off small and grow your collection of equipment before starting your own business. This ensures that your startup costs are low and that you feel confidently equipped to go out on your own. Apart from equipment, your main expense is likely to be a van or truck that you can take to jobs and use to transport all of your professional equipment.
Register your business
Once you’ve made the brave decision to start your own electrical or plumbing business, it’s important to sort out the different admin tasks i.e. business registration, legal and tax. To get your business up and running, speak to a professional from the onset about your best options. In the next few weeks, we will provide detailed information about registering your own business so make sure you visit our website regularly.
Market your business
It’s become more important than ever for small businesses to market themselves, especially in such a competitive industry. Most businesses understand the importance of creating a website, being active on social media and building a strong brand. These are important for electrical and plumbing companies as well. In our upcoming blogs, we will be providing more insightful tips and resources for marketing your electrical or plumbing business.
Note
If you are considering becoming an electrician or plumber, there are several pathways in which you can choose from and gain all the necessary knowledge and experience required. With an immense pool of expertise from which to draw, the ECA is well placed to provide members with excellent and accurate advice on all aspects of running a safe, efficient and profitable contracting business. For more information, visit https://ecasa.co.za/.
Citiq Prepaid Installer Series
- How to professionally run your electrical / water installation business
- How to become a professional registered electrician: An Introduction to the DOL Registration Certificate
- How to become a professional registered electrician: How to get your wireman’s license
- How to become a registered electrical contractor: The DOL registration
- I’m a registered electrical contractor, so now what
- 5 things you should know before registering your electrical / plumbing installation business
- 7 sales and marketing tips for installers
- Keep your customers coming back with a solid after-sales strategy
