UKH

I figured there's a sizeable overlap between climbers and those working on ropes. I've been considering getting my IRATA level 1 for a while, but I met a bunch of guys at the crag the other day who are in the industry and it's spurred me to think about it more seriously.

Those of you who are working in the field. Would you recommend it? I can't say it's something I'm "passionate" about, but it seems like a good way to earn money for now, with quite a few different avenues to pursue and specialise in.

The travel and time away aspect doesn't bother me, as I'm living in a van at the moment anyway, and working self-employed and picking up contracts as I choose fits well with my lifestyle - at least in theory.

But obviously everyone has a different experience, so it'd be great to hear from others about whether it was worth the time and money put into it, and how difficult you found getting work as an IRATA level 1 without other certificates. Much appreciated.

Do it!  Absolutely loads of work across multiply industries, all over the world. Don't listen to negative nelly's that will no doubt bang on about needing a trade.....ye u get the big bucks quicker but there's tons you can do without one. 

I don't now, but once upon a time I did.

Unless you become a L3 (which may take a few years) essentially, roped access isn't a job, it's just a means of getting to a job site. IRATA L1 isn't actually a job/skill in itself. No end client is going to pay for people to swing about their building (etc), they pay for access because need some work being done. Don't think that people will be impressed because you climb, they just want to know what work you can do and how hard you work

So if you're thinking of getting into access my question would be what work/skills do you have? Because if you have a skill (like weld inspector, dye pen, MPI, chainsaw ticket, paint) then you are way more likley to get work. If you are an unskilled-grunt you will be on unskilled-grunt pay and find getting the first jobs way harder. Traditionally there were a lot more people with IRATA L1 than IRATA L1 jobs, maybe with all this cladding panic that's different, I'm out of touch.

There are also other tickets that join up nicely with IRATA that don't require previous experience: example https://www.twitraining.com/home/programmes-and-courses/bgas-cswip/painting... might help you get your first painting job (or first wind turbine maintenance job?). Confined spaces ticket was also a good one

It might suit your circumstances, but continue doing your homework on jobs/skills

EDIT: The overlap is probably between IRATA and caving, rather than IRATA and climbing, back in the day... it was basically caving SRT (even with a petzl stop) with a second "shunt" rope added to the system. Even today the link is there with cavers and access

I got in to rope access due to caving and climbing at uni. And I’m still doing it 15 years later so can’t be too bad.

Pros

Quite flexible, allowing large periods of time off to travel

Fairly well paid as a start with quick progress if you chase the L2 and L3.

Interesting work and often like minded folk to do stuff with outside work.

Cons

You will work away a lot. This does feel like fun as a young man but not so good for your girlfriend etc.

Job insecurity. Always hunting for your next paycheck. (Not true of all jobs and less so as a well know L3 but certainly a pain to start with)

Its not great on the body in the long run. Yes it does keep you fit, but depending on the job it can be pretty tough.

It really helps to know some people in the industry. Having a mate vouch for you is still generally worth much more than a flashy CV.

Finally it has a pretty quick ceiling. I got my L3 at 24. And I’ve not really had a promotion since. Good money at 24, but starting to feel left behind these days. (I’ve moved a little sideways in recent years to structure examination on the rail which does still pay pretty well if you can get it) 
 

I guess this is my trade now, but I didn’t find it a problem learning this on the job etc.

Good luck

I’d definitely recommend giving it a go. I’d say knowing some people in the industry is way more useful than having a ‘trade’ myself. There’s a vast amount of work out there which requires no special skills (beyond being able to use a spanner/power drill/paintbrush etc.)

Being a climber definitely still counts for something, certainly in my company and a few others that I know of. It won’t guarantee you a job, but it’s a head start.

Worth giving a go but also worth remembering it is purely a ticket to access the basic level of an industry. For example PTS is an easy ticket to get that will let you do agency work on the railway, but you'll still be earning minimum wage whilst grafting harder than everyone else until you get more qualifications and experience.

Some good points on here already here's my tuppence 

* As a new level one getting an intro from someone already in the   company is probably the only way to get a start unless the company is desperate (then ask yourself why!).

* Have a bit of a career structure, you don't want to find yourself 45 years old on a rock job with a f*&%ed back and white finger.  things to consider Inspection, rigging, GWO. Stick too it, don't let a company force your career direction if a company says they want you to train to be a painter or whatever its because that's what they need not what you need, but don't let this stop you taking advantage of a good opportunity.

* Be prepared to move companies, don't flit around companies as that will give you a bit of a bad rep but don't get stuck in a low paid rut either, choose jobs that will give you experience and help your CV, five years window cleaning is not going to help you move into a well paid career.

* Have an exit strategy even if its a sideways move within the industry, you'll thank the younger you when you've got kids and a partner and months away on suddenly not so great money.

* Oil and gas is dying slowly, get into renewables if your tempted by offshore or look at decommissioning.

* Become IT and Microsoft proficient as this will help you later if you want to move on into supervision/management.

Good luck