Employment for Electricians.

[graone]

Hello

I am planning buying a property in brittany and thinking of starting working self employed doing electrical work.

I am fully qualified to British Standards, speak very little French,

can anyone advise as to the prospects or of what procedures to follow so as to comply with the French regulations.

Thankyou

Graham

[Will]

This very topic has been aired many times in the past, but as the search facility is rather shaky at present I won't berate you for not finding the references.

The general opinion is that British qualifications or knowledge of British systems count for little, as French practice is very different, and being able to speak French to a reasonable standard is essential if you want to work as a tradesman here - even if you only deal with English clients, you still have to deal with suppliers, the authorities etc in French.

Do speak to the Chambre des Metiers in the area where you want to live, you will have to register with them and, before you can work in a trade, undertake a week's course (in French) covering mainly French business practices.