Did you know that taking up Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses could lead to a very flexible career later on? You’ve probably heard of the term TVET before – but what could it possibly mean?
Summary
- What’s Freelancing?
- TVET and Freelancing
- Hairdresser
- Welder
- Chef
- Consultant
- Where To Freelance With A TVET Certificate
What’s Freelancing?
You are your own boss, with your schedule and workload entirely up to you. You are in charge of your own taxes and finances as well. Freelancing entails working for yourself instead of an employer.
Independent contractors known as freelancers accept jobs as they become available.
What roles do freelancers fill? The simple answer is everything as they can fit in almost any position and industry. Writing, editing, consulting, marketing, designing, ICT, virtual administration, social media management, and other professions are among the many that you can choose from as a freelancer. Reasons most people opt to freelance include independence, career flexibility, earning potential and the freedom to have options in work.
Interestingly, you might also want to note that companies are keen to hire freelancers now more than ever. Taking into account that costs are rising across many sectors, outsourcing via freelancers has seen an incredible demand since the pandemic that occurred in 2020 as it decreases overhead costs and gives the employer more flexibility to work with their budget.
TVET and Freelancing
The TVET educational system is technical in nature and designed to enhance your entrepreneurial skills and social mobility. With this being said, you would find that most TVET courses can easily help you land freelancing gigs. Our list below explores some of the career choices you could examine for freedom and flexibility in your career path:
- Hairdresser
The beauty industry such as hairdressing is a good programme to consider among other TVET courses if you enjoy all things neat and pretty. Plenty of specialist colleges offer hairdressing and other beauty-related courses. Some colleges such as the London College of Real Beauty even have an in-house job market with hundreds of participating employers. However, hairdressing is not an easy field to be in when you take into account the type of clients you have to work with. You also occasionally have to adhere to specific training programmes and styles when working in salons.
As a freelance hairdresser, you can stretch your creativity in the direction you want it to go by working for yourself. Not to mention, you can be a beauty nomad as you’re awarded the freedom to move and work wherever you like. Luckily, there is a big demand for freelance hairdressers. Think weddings and endless glitzy events!
- Welder
Welding can be a lucrative and exciting path to take if you enjoy freedom and independence in your career. Welders are highly sought-after in a variety of fields and sectors, including manufacturing, construction, maintenance and repairs. Hence, it’s not unusual to find full-time welders who do side freelancing missions.
Nonetheless, being a freelance welder is not exclusively for experienced professionals. Instead, it’s common to find welders who are just starting out. With half of the nation’s welders expected to retire by 2027, the demand for welders in the UK will only continue to rise. If you’re interested to work as a welder, TVET institutions offering engineering courses such as London Welding Academy is a reputable institution to visit.
- Chef
The culinary arts remain one of the popular choices for TVET courses, with colleges such as University College Birmingham (UCB) offering impressive training facilities. Why do some people choose to freelance? Spending your days as a chef in the same kitchen can become monotonous for those who constantly seek new experiences. Being a freelance chef also gives you the freedom to experiment with new concepts or specialities, whether it’s in the food you prepare or the line of work you like best.
If you would like to have flexibility with your culinary certificate, you could work as a personal chef, a special event caterer, or a menu designer as a freelancer. Making food that the client can reheat
later, cleaning cooking utensils and supplies, and preparing groceries are examples of additional tasks you might have.
- Consultant
Consultants frequently work with businesses looking to enhance their operational efficiency or assess their financial choices. When it comes to becoming a consultant yourself, almost any TVET course could fit this particular role. From health, businesses and hospitality, consultants exist to advise and research for their clients.
With the consultancy market booming in recent years, you’ll notice it’s easy to find a consultant anywhere and for any subject. This also means that the consultancy business is a competitive field and requires you to have a certain profile – preferably experienced and knowledgeable in both technical and non-technical skills. Nonetheless, a freelance consultant remains a viable career option you can take up once you’ve gained some experience in any TVET industry.
Where To Freelance With A TVET Certificate
Traditionally, freelancers would find projects through personal networking which is difficult when one does not have vast working experience, or specifically when you’ve just graduated from TVET. Fortunately, you’d find that it is relatively easier to find freelance missions in this globalized era, by accessing marketplaces that allow you to gain international freelance gigs.
Check out Upwork, Freelancer.com or Fiverr – all three marketplaces cater to various industries. For niche areas like engineering, there are options such as Tasker Platform and Trees Engineering (energy sector). No matter how you choose to find your freelance missions, the rule of thumb is to always have a portfolio ready and constantly upgrade your marketing knowledge, especially if you lack the network needed to succeed as a freelancer.
Now that you know you can freelance with a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) certificate, are you looking forward to exploring what TVET courses you could take?
