IRATA Level 1

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 Alf Owen 18 Feb 2021

Have recently completed IRATA Level 1. Has anybody got any advice on finding any sort of work please? Am based in London.

 koolkat 18 Feb 2021
In reply to Alf Owen

phone phone phone and keep doing it what other skill set do you have no one will pay you to abseil to work if you cant work when you get there 

 Luke01 18 Feb 2021
In reply to Alf Owen:

Facebook groups are a good place to start, loads will come up with a search. Emailing/phoning companies is a good idea. Don't be disheartened by people saying you need a 'trade', if you can use tools and learn quick then there's work around, especially in London. Would be worth getting a cscs labourers card though, you need that to get on most sites.

Good luck. 

In reply to Alf Owen:

One word. CAN 

https://www.can.ltd.uk/

Le Sapeur 18 Feb 2021
In reply to Alf Owen:

What are your skills? Trade? Certs? Quals?

Having IRATA L1 is a bit like saying 'I can take a taxi to work, any jobs going?' The IRATA qual takes you to your workplace. You then need the skills to do the job. It could be basic skills like painting. However I would rather hire a painter who has L1 than an L1 who can wield a paintbrush. 

The link above to CAN is a case in point. They are looking for skilled people who also have an IRATA cert.

10 years ago I would have advise you obtain offshore and NDT certs, but those days have gone. There are dozens of people chasing each post and many of them well qualified. The offshore (and onshore) wind farm industry seems to be looking for people, but with the huge amounts of ex-oil and gas workers I imagine it's a tricky industry to get in to.

First you need to work out what job you want to do on the ropes. 

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 Mr Lopez 18 Feb 2021
In reply to Alf Owen:

Type 'London Rope Access' in google and phone every company that comes up asking if they are looking.

Be prepared to tell them what experience or skills you have that can be relevant. Any construction work, handy with tools, DIY, etc. Doesn't have to be professional experience. If you have done some brickwork at home for example tell them you have done some brickwork (Climbing experience doesn't buy you any brownies.).

Buy a decent window cleaning kit (i.e. not a cheapo from the poundshop) and practice cleaning your windows, your neighbour's windows, local shops' windows, etc. (Probably there's tutorials on youtube). Do several hours through a few days and when you call companies you can tell them you know how to clean windows.

The most important thing is that when you do get some work you are keen to learn and put the effort in. If you do so the companies won't care how inexperienced you may be. A good worker can learn new skills, a shit worker rarely learns to be a good worker (They just get quals, certs and tickets ).

On the admin side of things, you got to be registered as self-employed, apply for your UTR number, and register for CIS (The later is not for all jobs/companies, but many). Also if you don't have one, you will need a CSCS card to have more chances to work.

You'll be also expected to have your own kit with most companies btw, though some may loan you short term if you are lucky.

Good luck (and ignore CAN until you get really desperate. Plenty of work in London so no need to pull the wild card too soon)

Post edited at 18:59
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Le Sapeur 18 Feb 2021
In reply to Mr Lopez:

>  A good worker can learn new skills, a shit worker rarely learns to be a good worker (They just get quals, certs and tickets 

Really? A shit worker takes the time to study, learn and improve their skills? Build up an education? Have a chance to improve their working conditions and earn more money and have access to a greater number of jobs?

In real life I think you will find that employers are looking for qualifications and not just "oh, I'm a good worker'. Tell me Mr Owen, what are your qualifications for this job? None. I listened to a guy on the internet who's told me I didn't need any. NEXT.

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 Mr Lopez 18 Feb 2021
In reply to Le Sapeur:

Ha, ha. The real life practical skills and work ethics of people working in the industry are inversely proportional to the amount of tickets they have to an extent only matched by how many items of black 'tactical' kit they own. Fact.

"I'm glad to hear you have a degree in aeronautical engineering with a masters in quantum physics Mr Owen. Unfortunately i'm looking for somebody to clean bird shit and fit glazing units with a bit of bricklaying on the side and running some lighting conductors, which has to be all completed by yesterday."

One trick ponys in London would starve unless they diversify pretty damn quick. Even fully fledged electricians for example, which is the only qualification that can get you meaningful work in London, spend more time cleaning windows or fitting cladding than they do doing electrical work.

The most sought after abseilers over here are those who work hard and can adapt and learn new skills as required. Those are the ones that build the best networks, get the best jobs, work for the best companies, and gain enough experience and contacts to kickstart a more specialised career in the future if they wish to do so. £20000 worth of courses with no gained experience to go with it will get you nowhere.

Post edited at 22:19
 muppetfilter 19 Feb 2021
In reply to Mr Lopez:

20 years and I’ve only sullied myself working for Can once and I spent hours in the shower hugging my knees like Jodie Foster in the Accused.

To the original poster , the IRATA.Org and Rigg-access.com websites are the place to go to search for companies. Look through the past jobs for email addresses and phone numbers as well as the company lists. As has been said above Phone, Phone and email. Get a good looking CV drawn up as well. 
Also onto of the CSCS the ECITB safety passport can be a good ticket to get you in to Powerstations , refineries and incinerators. 
Expect to hear a lot of “no” before you get a Yes. Good luck , it’s a brilliant job aside from the bird shit and angry Middlesboro folks.

1
Le Sapeur 19 Feb 2021
In reply to Mr Lopez:

>  £20000 worth of courses with no gained experience to go with it will get you nowhere.

I know someone who did exactly that. Spend  (possibly) £20k on courses and walked straight into an API inspectors job in Qatar paying £80,000 per year, tax free. 
 

But no, you are right. He would have been better off scraping bird shit off windows. At least it would prove to you that he’s not lazy.

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 tehmarks 19 Feb 2021
In reply to Le Sapeur:

I'm long-term self-employed: having the right tickets might get you the first job with a client, but not caring about the job, or about your own professional development, will guarantee that you don't get the second job. Maybe in rope access it'll take a few more jobs to notice, but in my industry the results of bad work are immediately clear and obvious.

A good worker will be conscientious, punctual, invested in their own development and actually care about the work they're delivering. There's no one else to look out for you, and there are no barriers to getting rid of those who don't make the cut.

I think that is what Mr Lopez is getting at.

1
 Jenny C 19 Feb 2021
In reply to tehmarks:

> A good worker will be conscientious, punctual, invested in their own development and actually care about the work they're delivering. There's no one else to look out for you, and there are no barriers to getting rid of those who don't make the cut.

My other half has worked in rope access for many years and from what he says 'does the level three like you?' has far more influence than your to work attitude or competence.

I'm pretty sure one company he hasn't worked for for in excess of two years only keep him on their books in order to be randomly picked for drugs testing if required by a client.

Le Sapeur 19 Feb 2021
In reply to tehmarks:

> A good worker will be conscientious, punctual, invested in their own development and actually care about the work they're delivering.

That would apply to almost every industry.

My gripe with the Mr Lopez comment is that he is equating gaining qualifications to 'shit' workers.

Le Sapeur 19 Feb 2021
In reply to Mr Lopez:

> "I'm glad to hear you have a degree in aeronautical engineering with a masters in quantum physics Mr Owen. Unfortunately i'm looking for somebody to clean bird shit and fit glazing units with a bit of bricklaying on the side and running some lighting conductors, which has to be all completed by yesterday."

Why would someone with a degree in aeronautical engineering be looking for an abseiling job? It's a humorous comment but a bit off point. 

How about....

Mr Owen. I'm glad to hear you have a qualification in bricklaying and have done a joinery course and are also keen to learn and network and adapt.  I'm looking for someone who can lay bricks and fit glazing units. Window cleaning doesn't require much skill it can be learned in minutes. The job is yours.

Mr Bowen. While I see you have years of experience in cleaning windows and are also keen to learn and network and adapt. You just don't have the qualifications for this job. Sorry.

Mr Lowen. I see you are keen to learn and network and adapt but as have absolutely no qualifications this aeronautical engineering job is clearly not for you.

2
 muppetfilter 19 Feb 2021
In reply to Le Sapeur:

I like the way you have turned a thread by a young lad asking for help finding work to being a bit of a pedantic rant about a non point. (sequential posting is a sign of a personality disorder)

3
Le Sapeur 19 Feb 2021
In reply to muppetfilter:

I thought that was the whole point of this forum? 

1
Le Sapeur 19 Feb 2021
In reply to muppetfilter:

> (sequential posting is a sign of a personality disorder)

Is it?

Le Sapeur 19 Feb 2021
In reply to muppetfilter:

> I like the way you have turned a thread by a young lad asking for help finding work to being a bit of a pedantic rant about a non point.

A young lad? He first registered on UKC almost 17 years ago. 

If you read the thread you will see that I offered advice and it was Mr Lopez who initiated the argument. Granted, he also offered advice. But I did bite.

It's difficult for rant about a non-point not the be pedantic to some degree. It's the very nature of the so called rant. Like this one.

(sequential posting is a sign of a someone with a short lunch break)

2
 tehmarks 19 Feb 2021
In reply to Le Sapeur:

> That would apply to almost every industry.

It doesn't apply anywhere near so much to people in full-time jobs, and as obvious as it, the importance to a newly self-employed person can't be overstressed. There are no barriers to not engaging the services of a poor contractor in the future. No disciplinary process, no convoluted hoops to jump through. People skills and investing in your own professional development are the single most important thing in self-employment, beyond any bits of paper. As said above, if you don't get on with your boss (PM for me, L3 in this case), you're knackered. The easiest way to make a good impression and start on the right foot is to not be shit.

Again, I think that is what Mr Lopez was saying - though I could be wrong.

1
 artif 19 Feb 2021
In reply to Jenny C:

> I'm pretty sure one company he hasn't worked for for in excess of two years only keep him on their books in order to be randomly picked for drugs testing if required by a client.

Had a couple of  RAT's turn up to site when we were carrying out full site D&A testing.

The tester was quite impressed, as the one driving the company van, from several hundred miles away, tested positive for everything, he'd never had a full house before.

The rope access company owner wasn't too impressed in having to send someone down to pick up the van and crew. 🤣

 Rick Graham 19 Feb 2021
In reply to Le Sapeur:

> Why would someone with a degree in aeronautical engineering be looking for an abseiling job? 

Not wanting to get involved in a bun fight

But according to the news, airlines and hence aero engineering are in pretty dire straights ATM and there is a big problem on high rise buildings.

 Phil baker 19 Feb 2021
In reply to Alf Owen:

Martin Daley at Accessrite has some big jobs coming up in London and is keen to contact you but has no access to UKC (password issue!)  so has asked me to ask if you can email him at martin@accessrite.co.uk

He’s a good guy 👍

Cheers 

Phil

 Hatty 19 Feb 2021
In reply to Alf Owen:

Hi Alf,

If you’re determined to find a start then you will find a start and after that it’s just a process of good decision making and having the ability to suck up s**t, I’m not being literal here. After a while it’ll be what you’ve made it. It’s just another job. There’s some cool folk that work in the industry and there are some very less cool folk. Give it a go and see what you think. You’ll get a start somewhere somehow. It won’t be as hard as it may have been portrayed assuming you dedicate a good bit of time to it. Good luck

In reply to Alf Owen:

I've been working in the industry for 15 years. I didn't have any trade when I started, just kept knocking on doors until someone gave me a job.

You'll get good jobs and bad jobs, it all depends on your team. Best of luck 

Removed User 20 Feb 2021
In reply to Alf Owen:

To add to what people have said, nock phone and keep trying, once you start and prove you can do it its self fulfilling. 


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