[bootneck02]

Hi, this is perhaps an unusal request for advice, but here goes. I retire within the next 18 months and looking for something productive to do in my retirement, and supliment my pension. I enjoy playing around with my PC, infact I built it, would you think it would be advisable at my age to take the A+ technicans course so that I would be able to make home visits and service and repair on customers PC's. Your advice would be most welcome. I have no previous or experience technical knowege only what I have picked up over the last few years.

Kind regards to all

Bootneck02

[Digerati]

I am in a similar situation. After 24 years in the USAF, plus 10 more with a major IT Defense contractor, I am now semi-retired. I do custom PC builds, consulting and repair out of my home. Certificates are great but you don't need any to work for yourself. If you already have the experience and technical background, all a certificate really is, is good resume material.

If you don't already have an established reputation and client base, then certificate logos and earned degrees on your placard may help attract a new customer - after that, it is up to you. Like a resume, all that piece of paper does is get you past the first screening.

I have no previous or experience technical knowege only what I have picked up over the last few years

I do think this is a problem. As a formally trained electronics technician, I've been doing computer and electronics maintenance for 35+ years, built over 300 PCs, yadda, yadda, and there are still surprises. What gets me past that is knowing how to troubleshoot electronics and years of hands-on experience. Plus my own personal desire to stay current with the latest technologies and advancements in the cutting edge - not an easy task!

And please don't take offense, but assembling computers, whether that be 1 or 300, does not make one a computer technician or expert. It makes them a parts assembler - something they get kids to do in China for $3/week. I recognize that actually repairing a motherboard or PSU, for example, is rarely done anymore. I can swap in a new PSU faster than it takes for my soldering iron to heat up! That saves costs in labor (but contributes to precious metals and hazardous waste in our landfills - ). But still, it takes a lot more than a few computer builds and OS installs under your belt to make money at fixing computers.

Since you are lacking the experience and formal training, I recommend you check out your local community/technical college for formal computer repair courses. Better yet, an AS (in the US, that's an Associates of Science or 2 year degree - so whatever the equivalent is in the UK) in Computer Technology may be better as it will encompass some basic electronics and related IT training. Certificates are pretty specific. I know it helps me to have an understanding of Ohms Law and how those electrons flow through circuits. Computer and Internet/network security and malware removal skills are a must these days, not only if you are hired to setup a small office network, but also because folks are (or certainly should be) worried about their own identities, and the safety and wellbeing of their children while using their home computers. Also, if you are planing on using these skills to supplement your income, rather than simply volunteer work, you MUST set up a legitimate business - incorporate yourself - and learn how to collect and pay the necessary taxes. You need insurance and/or bonding. Your community college should be able to help there.

Finally, you need more hands-on experience. One thing I do is build working computers from spare parts and donate them to various organizations. You might consider doing something similar. You might also volunteer your repair skills at churches or retirement communities to get experience. And of course, researching problems and helping posters at forums such as D-A-L is a great way to learn more.

One more personal observation - I don't like making house calls - of course, they are necessary if you are troubleshooting network problems or the user is unable to bring the PC into your shop. But for me, troubleshooting electronics starts with a good cleaning. If there is tons of dust, dirt, hair, dander, critters that eat dander, and their dropping blanketing the internals of the computer (and there way too often is - ), that all has to be blasted out. I have an air compressor at home for that purpose. Lugging 50lb computers, printers, and CRT monitors around can be physically demanding too. Something to think about.

[bootneck02]

Thanks for your Comments and encouragement Digerati most welcome.

[Digerati]

Well, I don't know if I really offered any encouragement, but I hope it gave you some good food for thought. Personally, I would love to see more honest, independent, qualified computer "technicians" out here. I encourage you to pursue this path, if computer technology truly interests you, and one of your primary goals is to help folks have a safe and enjoyable computing experience. Sadly, as in any service oriented business, there are many that are just out to make a quick buck, with as little effort as possible. And that reflects badly on the rest of us.

Good luck with your new career. As for your (semi) retirement - take the time to enjoy it. You've earned it.