Posted By Philip Cook I've just finished my NVQ4 and i currently work in a manufacturing environment. I am interested in becoming a trainer and potentially setting up on my own. Any advice or guidance on this would be great. Thanks in advance Phil

Posted By Ian Cunningham I too am looking at this avenue and although you've tabled the query, I thank you as the response has given me food for thought. I would be interested in how you progress in this area. Regards Ian C

Posted By Linda XC Hi Our company has a combination of staff and associates. The associates are generally their own ltd companies so have their own insurances. With Sole traders (uninsured) we have to inform our insurance and provide their CV's with duties undertaken. We then have an additional premium to pay for these people - optional to back charge the associate. As for licenced work, sometimes it is a blanket licence for the company to deliver training, other times each tutor has to attend courses at a cost - usually we fund this and require the trainer to work for us exlusively on that particular work. Regards Linda

Posted By Craig Mills I think it would help to get a trainers qualification such as the City & Guilds 7303.

Posted By Linda XC Hi Generally we have a couple of people with fulltime (or nearly) H&S jobs, that like to practise in a consultancy capacity as well. They are set up as a sole trader for tax reasons, but as they only do work for us, we cover them on our insurance. With the Ltd companies, they practice in their own right - e.g. a fire risk assessing company, but like to ensure they are getting a variety of work, hence take some work through ourselves as well as other companies, they have to have insurance as part of their normal remit. Does that clarify? So if a new sole trader can get covered on some one elses insurance for the first year, it would give them the leeway to get themselves up and running at a lower cost. Regards Linda

Posted By Bill Hemsley Linda I too am a health and safety trainer who works as an Associate, and like another poster on this board do not operate as a limited company. I carry both Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance of my own. I have worked for myself for two years now having been employed as a H&S trainer in Central Government for many years. I wish the original poster the best of fortune in starting a business. I have delivered both IOSH and NEBOSH events, and given that you have indicated that your company do indeed use associate trainers from time to time I should be happy to provide you with my CV. Please contact me if interested

Posted By Linda XC Hi folks It looks as thought I may be getting in a bit of a pickle with this thread. Thankyou Bill for making your availability known, however, we may be both getting our selves into the realms of breaching the AUG here! I did not intend to reply to this thread to advertise for associates, merely to offer advice on the most economical way of setting up on ones own. I have been a business advisor in a previous life so know a little of the tax and self employment implications which am all too happy to share with you folks. Please accept this post by way of an apology if anyone sees it of a promotional nature, and I assure it is not. Best regards, and have a good weekend to you all? What’s the wine tonight Merv? Linda

Posted By Philip Cook Mornin All, Thanks to you all for your feedback. I now have some very useful guidance to work on.

Posted By Glyn Atkinson Philip, I reside in the Grimsby area. Please contact me via e mail off forum and I can give you the name of an established local safety trainer who could give you good local advice on what you are seeking in setting up a business. My brother in law could also have some useful contacts - no details on here so as not to bridge AUG conditions.