Case Study: Daren

If you’re looking to escape the daily grind of working for someone else, maybe now is the time to make the jump to work for yourself with your own business.

Daren recently left his role as a retail manager of 23 years to set up his own handy man business. “I wanted a trade behind the business and thought electrics was a good way to go. I’ve done a bit of electrics before and enjoyed doing that sort of work, so thought it best to get qualified first.”

When it came to looking for a training provider, Daren had made sure to get a course suitable for those new to the trade. “I searched for beginners courses and EC4U came up first. I had my friend in the trade check over the course and qualifications, and then booked it and went from there.”

Daren completed our Domestic Electrician Package, which includes our unique, practical Experience Course. When it came down to choosing his favourite week of the course, it was easy for him, “The Experience Course without a shadow of a doubt, because the extra knowledge you get from it has far exceeded my expectations.”

During the week, our customers have the opportunity to utilise their practical skills within our 3 purpose built flats and are able to run through realistic scenarios, including a complete consumer unit change.

“The first week is where you’ve got a mix of hands on and theory, second week all in the classroom learning regulations, the third week is inspection and testing and the fourth week, the experience course, is where we’re all putting it together.”

“For me, it’s not just the electrical bits that we’ve done this week, it’s the knowledge that the trainers have got and passed on, how to work around plasterboard, how to chase out things, all the tools you need, and even the talk with Nigel at the end of the week about marketing and how to set up a website, those things are going to be invaluable and the things that really get the business going.”

Included in the week, is a marketing talk with our MD Nigel Best, which prepares you for your new career and covers a variety of business topics. “The marketing talk just opens your eyes!” Daren says.

We like to keep it small here at EC4U, so we can ensure you are getting as much attention and valuable learning time as possible. On average we have 2 to 3 trainers on hand to guide you through your practical training.

Daren says “all of them are brilliant, absolutely brilliant and down to earth too. The really good thing behind them is that they’ve got the experience, they’re not just teachers, they’ve got that experience of working in people’s homes, carrying out jobs and they have passed that experience on in a way that we can understand, with helpful tips too.”

After finishing his training, Daren plans to build on his electrical skills while undertaking a varied workload within his handyman business. “I would recommend EC4U; I travelled far for it but it’s definitely been worthwhile.”

EC4U would like to wish Daren all the best in the future with his new business!

Get a glimpse into what it’s like to train with us by reading more of our case studies!