Case Study: RAD Electrical Services
Electrician Rob Dixon has a new mission to turn households in his home city into champions for renewable energy, through residents enjoying potentially big savings by installing solar panels. That is because Rob, 22, from Marfleet Lane has also achieved one goal nine years early, setting himself up in business with RAD Electrical Services.
Electrician Rob Dixon has a new mission to turn households in his home city into champions for renewable energy, through residents enjoying potentially big savings by installing solar panels. That is because Rob, 22, from Marfleet Lane has also achieved one goal nine years early, setting himself up in business with RAD Electrical Services.
Wanting to make sure he had a trade behind him, Rob originally thought about becoming a plumber but changed his mind after some work experience and decided to pursue his trade as an electrician. He knew a practical career, doing something hands-on and getting messy, would be his vocation, recalling a childhood of assembling Airfix models. He left the then Archbishop Thurstan School to become an apprentice for four years with Hull City Council, later becoming Kingstown Works Ltd. Through this period, he gained an NVQ3 and City & Guilds qualifications in electro-technical technology.
After that time, he was laid off, then joined Paneltex on Hedon Road but suffered the same fate. After taking ad hoc agency work, Rob, who was already job-hunting through the Probe Direct service in East Hull, decided to take the plunge and become his own boss, pursuing his ambition early because of the job situation. Since this time, he has also achieved various other qualifications including part “p” domestic installers’ certificate, PAT-testing and Rob has obtained his Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) accreditation.
He was referred to the Probe Pre-Enterprise Team for help with business-planning, training and finding key contacts. He successfully applied for £1000 grant from Hull’s Acorn Fund to help with setting up the business.
He now spends his time handling domestic and commercial electrical work rewiring houses, wiring fuseboards and PAT-testing. One job he did was to wire up the PC display cabinet at a Dixon’s branch at Stansted Airport, a job he picked up through Universal Solutions. No job is too small i.e. moving a single socket or changing a light bulb.
“My dad has found work for me through his contacts but many of my jobs so far have come through word-of-mouth. When I started, I had 1500 leaflets and distributed them throughout the area, picking up work in various places.
“It was a bit surreal at first when I started out by myself. It felt a strange being my own boss. It’s great to run your own business but it can be a little scary when business is quiet. I have friends in other trades such as central heating and plumbing, so we can recommend each other.”
For Rob, solar panels are the next big thing and he has gained funding through Hull’s Grow project: “Solar panels can be costly but the financial return could be five-fold on the investment.”
Tel: 07966 066455
Email: rob@rad-electrical.com
After that time, he was laid off, then joined Paneltex on Hedon Road but suffered the same fate. After taking ad hoc agency work, Rob, who was already job-hunting through the Probe Direct service in East Hull, decided to take the plunge and become his own boss, pursuing his ambition early because of the job situation. Since this time, he has also achieved various other qualifications including part “p” domestic installers’ certificate, PAT-testing and Rob has obtained his Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) accreditation.
He was referred to the Probe Pre-Enterprise Team for help with business-planning, training and finding key contacts. He successfully applied for £1000 grant from Hull’s Acorn Fund to help with setting up the business.
He now spends his time handling domestic and commercial electrical work rewiring houses, wiring fuseboards and PAT-testing. One job he did was to wire up the PC display cabinet at a Dixon’s branch at Stansted Airport, a job he picked up through Universal Solutions. No job is too small i.e. moving a single socket or changing a light bulb.
“My dad has found work for me through his contacts but many of my jobs so far have come through word-of-mouth. When I started, I had 1500 leaflets and distributed them throughout the area, picking up work in various places.
“It was a bit surreal at first when I started out by myself. It felt a strange being my own boss. It’s great to run your own business but it can be a little scary when business is quiet. I have friends in other trades such as central heating and plumbing, so we can recommend each other.”
For Rob, solar panels are the next big thing and he has gained funding through Hull’s Grow project: “Solar panels can be costly but the financial return could be five-fold on the investment.”
Tel: 07966 066455
Email: rob@rad-electrical.com
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