I am not fully well-versed with MHE or RITIB in England because I am in Canada. What I can tell you is that I started off in the industry employed by a large forklift dealer in the country. I went off on my own as a self-employed individual back in 2000. I have been an independent consultant for the past 25+ years.
You have the knowledge, now you have to get yourself known. That is the tough part. Gaining clients is the most difficult part of any business. And even if you do, some will go and they have to be replaced. It is not easy. Always trying to figure out where your next dollar (pound for you) is coming from. You could build up a relationship with a person in the company and provide training faithfully for 5 years, and one day, the leave, a new person comes in and you are out the door. There is no loyalty, and even though you are confident that you are better than the competition, companies do not care. It is tough. Its sounds glorious to be an entrepreneur but there are ups and downs, and you have to learn how to budget yourself accordingly. You should have enough capitol to keep you going, not only at the beginning but during those dry periods as well. I have no back-up. Everything I present is all self produced. I rely on no one but myself. Manuals, certificates, permits, presentations, Records of Training, invoicing is all performed by myself. And like I said, I have been an independent forklift safety trainer for the past 25 years.
Good luck to you.
Becoming self-employed is a journey - not a one-time decision. It's about building skills, earning trust, and learning from experience. With the right mindset, certifications, and persistence, you can turn your independence into long-term success.
If you're thinking of going self-employed as an MHE trainer, here's a quick roadmap:
Set up your business: Register as a sole trader or limited company and get the right insurance (public liability and professional indemnity).
Build a portfolio: Use your current experience to show off your skills and past training work.
Market yourself: Set up a website or LinkedIn, and don't be afraid to network! Word of mouth is gold in this field.
Stay updated: Keep up with any new certifications or industry changes to stay relevant.
Track your finances: Keep on top of your money-either by using accounting software or hiring an accountant.
Once you've got your base set up, it's all about getting clients and offering great, tailored training.
Good luck! You've already got the qualifications, now it's just about getting out there!
Hi Josh
You might want to consider gaining duplicate accreditation with ITTSAR and looking at their website and the Instructor vacancies they have and consider the sub-contractor to an established company route.
That way you are "self-employed" but with the back-up of work being supplied rather than trying to do everything yourself.