Many qualified electricians choose to build a career as a Fire Alarm Engineer
Whilst this initially sounds attractive, there are pitfalls.
Electrical contracting tends to be an industry where sub-contracting is common, so many people are self-employed.
Under self-employment you don’t get paid holidays, sick pay, paternity/maternity leave, or a company vehicle.
You need to keep your own accounts and submit a tax return annually so you need an accountant. You also have to and ensure you have the funds each year to pay your tax bill. You need to carry your own liability insurance, and have operating polices such as health and safety etc.
Then there are operational issues; contracting will put you into building, refurbishment and development sites much of the time, working in amongst other trades and having little or no contact with the customer. Working conditions can sometimes be harsh, particularly in the cooler months of the year.
Working in the Fire & Security Sector
Working in the Fire and Security sector can be very rewarding and interesting. You will rarely repeat any day as you will be working amongst many client types at differing locations within many types of business and organisations.
Our Fire Alarm Engineers are directly employed so the pitfalls suddenly disappear; a company vehicle is provided, tax is paid monthly directly from your earnings, eliminating the need for tax returns or an accountant, and you do not need your own insurance, operating policies etc.
The conditions are generally preferable to working on building, refurbishment and development sites.
If you would like to join us and support our goal to become the UK’s leading fire life safety and security service provider, take a look at our current vacancies on the Careers page.