From Military to Gas Engineer? Is this a good Career choice?

[Welder]

Because there are not that many options on the military resettlement mate. Or there wasn’t when I left. I know this is not about me but for me it was the fact t wasstill a very manual job.

What I'm genuinely trying to ascertain H is the Why gas when there are so many other options to get into paid work which still require great skill...

 

[Harvest Fields]

What I'm genuinely trying to ascertain H is the Why gas when there are so many other options to get into paid work which still require great skill...

Because the army only works with certain providers

 

[pjjunior]

Hi PJ. Welcome.
May I ask a question? Why gas?

Hi,

I'm steering towards gas because of similarities between my current job and Gas Engineering -

• Both work under a strict set of governed guidelines and publications.
  
• Both requires proficiencies in fault finding, fault diagnoses, problem-solving, methodical and logical approaches.
• Both require, to some extent, engineering precision. Failure to do so could result in catastrophic failure and injury/death.
• Both require quality assurance and work completed to a high standard.

It's something I'm interested in, with the end game being self-employed and starting a small business.

 

[pjjunior]

What qualifications do you have already?

In terms of Plumbing and Gas- Nothing.

I have NVQ level 3 in General Engineering.

Along with numerous other qualifications, none of which are relevant, unfortunately.

 

[Welder]

Okay thanks.

My problem, on your behalf, is thinking about how you get to the point of earning a reasonable living quickest knowing how you are just one of many looking to achieve the same.

My thought process is, as a competent engineer, could you not simply set yourself up as a 'wet plumber' in the short term in order to keep your family and then over time do your gas - if in deed that was where you decided you wanted to go?

Why? Well frankly, by doing gas all you will be able to do initially, without any form of reputation, is compete on price for jobs. Never a good basis for a business.

Wet plumbers however are just as skilled (I'd actually say more so than you'll be as a new gas engineer) but with a much much broader remit. The other issue, for me anyway, is that as a wet plumber you can create a USP for yourself as presentable, caring, punctual etc which you are not really going to be able to do as a new gas engineer - IMHO.

Personally, I've never had a desire to do gas. I saw it as far too competitive and I was unable to create my niche of working for mainly older people.

Of course this view is simply that, a view. However don't dismiss other opportunities out of hand. You are used to assessing situations so look at this alternative view in the cold hard light of needing to keep your family.

Happy to chat further offline if it would help.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Sounds like you can hold your own from your response above. That is what an employer will want to hear. What you can offer and how you can earn them more money. I think you will do fine. You have the right attitude. You sound determined and not shy of hard work. The lads on here can sound a little harsh but that is because the gas “engineers” that are coming through are just after fast money and think it is easy and also do not want to learn. You sound like it is definitely a long term project. It isn’t easy but it is possible.

 

[Harvest Fields]

How are you getting on mate?