Rank: Forum user 
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So I have been offered a job working as the HS&E Manager for a Solar Energy company.
Basically they install solar panels to commercial and domestic properties. This is also government funded so you can get paid for the amount of electricity you generate as a very brief description. They also install micro wind turbines.
The salary is very good but I am not sure about moving to this industry. I am currently employed by a national company and my job is secure.
Whats every ones thoughts on this industry ? Is it a growing market ?
The salary will pay me an additional 16k a year.
Whats the thoughts on the health and safety side of things for this role ?
Any advice or opinions will be greatly appreciated.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Any change in government policy regarding financial support for such technologies/industries could leave you vulnerable to redundancy?
Seems rather a limited area to work in.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hi
Will the green deal not affect commercial properties where external wall insulation wii considerably cut down heating costs when this comes into effect in April and reduce the need for solar panels.
Any thoughts
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Rank: Forum user
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Some good points here. Thanks
Derek - I will need to enquire with the company if they have been registered as a green deal provider. This could work in favour of the company as they would be able to install the solar panels.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Yes it maybe work in your companies favour.
On one of our refurbishment sites it had the totally opposite effect as all the properties were getting EWI and solar panels were going to be installed as well the client realised the reduction in fuel costs of EWI out benefitted solar panels and they were omitted from the rest of the project.
I think it would depend on the type of properties your company is targeting residential would be the better option but you never know
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Rank: Super forum user
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9yally,
Unles you are on serious money, a £16k raise would presumably be a large percentage increase over what you are already getting (if not, congratulations :-) ). If you're worried about job security, bank / invest half of your take-home raise for a rainy day!
If I were you, I'd take the job. Assuming the company is not imminent danger of collapse, I'm sure it's a risk worth taking.
If the worst should occur a) you've got greater experience so more likely to easily get a new job and b) will have earner much more over the period of time than you would staying put.
(the above assumes you don't have to relocate to a more expensive area of the UK!).
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Rank: Forum user
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Morning Jake. Thank you for your reply.
Sorry my mistake the actual rise would be for 11k.
I will also be carrying out H&S work for his two smaller company's which are a roofing company and a fencing company.
I have worked for the fencing company before.
I have someone having a look at their accounts today if they can get hold of them and will also be speaking with the Director.
I am unsure of the career progression from this company though, maybe I should move into something with more scope such as a large construction company rather than a contractor ?
Thoughts ?
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Rank: Forum user
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Update on the company.
They have 4-5 warehouses, Sales offices and call centres based in Scotland and the UK
They have fitters and also 30ish self employed sales rep who use their own cars.
They plan to make merge this into a national business and hit a turn over of 20 million within a few years.
They literally have no H&S in place at present.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Are you going to take the job.
Sounds like you will have your hands full
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Rank: Forum user
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I am not sure on this one.
If the company does well there is a real chance for career progression, maybe even leading to Directorship with a team beneath me.
If it doesn't go so well it can lead to me leaving a secure job and being unemployed for a length of time.
I kind of like the idea of having a blank canvass though, but essentially this also does mean a lot of hard work.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Strange company if they have no H&S in place.
Installing solar power panels is a nightmare. WAH, working with LIVE electricity (DC and and possible AC) Make sure that you understand the switching and operation of the units - The panels are live when exposed to daylight and do not have on-off switches. Manual handling - getting the inverters into attic spaces and units onto the roof. Not easy and then the chasing people all over the place to see if they are doing as asked...don't forget that the installers may be on bonus etc.
The good side is the 16k and the possibility of on-going work. Sounds fun
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Rank: Forum user
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Ziimmy - Thanks for the excellent post.
There certainly are a lot of issues H&S issues which will have to be dealt with as they literally have nothing in place.
It will all be new to me so you insight into things for consideration has been great, certainly things which I will have to pick up and learn. Have you worked in this field yourself ?
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Rank: Forum user
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I stepped out of my comfort zone five years ago to take up a similar position to the one you describe.
It was a real challenge, a great learning curve and i got to work with some very good people & the odd idiot!
However, due to the recession and other factors the company no longer exists and i moved on & a couple of times afterwards and benefited from each subsequent move.
At the end of the day its your call but if you want to broaden your horizons sometimes you need to step out of the comfort zone and just go for it, i for one have no regrets about doing so.
Dont burn your bridges and leave on good terms (as i did) as you never no you may just go full circle and end up back were you started (as i have done but in a more senior position).
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Rank: Super forum user
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