I am an automation and control engineer with good experience over Allen Bradley PLC & HMI, ABB Robot interfaces with RSLogix 5000. I was doing freelance work in Toronto Canada. I want to start my freelance work in London (working as a contractor). Is there any related forum or website? Please help me.

Thank you.

 

Hi Florin,

Most companies in the UK require you to contract to them as a limited company but generally that is through an agency. You can also work through an umbrella company, if you google for that you will find plenty of information on umbrella companies and contracting. A good website for jobs is http://www.jobsite.co.uk.

 

Hi,

and welcome to England. There is plenty of work for anyone who can 'swing a spanner'. Since the destruction of the apprentice system and an education system geared towards media studies it's only us old guys keeping everything going!! Allen Bradley isn't as popular over here, mainly due to poor distribution and very high prices, but if you understand the concept of PLCs and PLC programming and have a good electrical you should be able to find lots of work in maintenance or PLC integration. Try small to medium size companies, who traditionally employ contractors to design and program.

marc sinclair

 

There are no local forums or web sites strictly for the automation business. There is a business directory though for the London Economic Development Council at:

http://www.ledc.com/businessdirectories/

If you search under "business directories" > "manufacturing", you can select companies by industrial sector. This will give you general information about each business, as well as addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail, etc.

The web site for the city itself is: http://www.london.ca/

That site has detailed maps which you can use to find where everything is ("E services & maps" > "city map"). Enter an address, and it will show you where it is.

Given your background, I would suggest that you also try to get in touch with the local Rockwell/AB rep. He can probably suggest some business contacts whom you can then approach directly.

There are a number of machine builders you can sub-contract to as well as various large and small manufacturers who can be direct customers. As far as the machine builders are concerned, everybody tends to know about everybody else so be careful to make a good first impression on any of them.

 

Marc,

Can you a name a few contractors who can help freelancers? Having fare experience in DCS/PLC I would like to start up as a freelancer at the earliest.

 

Sudhakar,
Please email me off list as we often use freelancers for commissioning and writing software on smaller projects.

Thanks,
Tom
[email protected]

 

Hi,
I don't understand your question, most contractors are freelance (self employed). even if they work through an agency, they will usually be self employed.

It sounds as if you want to be self employed, but want someone to give you work! Part of the job is to find the work

Try small to medium size companies, who traditionally employ contractors to design and program. Begin in the field that you have experience in, brush up your English (http://mrdeadworry.wordpress.com/2006/11/30/fare-and-fair/), and get writing.

Marc
http://www.germainesystems.eu/

 

Hi,

I did what you are now doing back in 1997-2003. I never ended up getting contract work in London itself, controls industry is in places like midlands or south west, or south of london.

I worked in Crawley, Bristol, Manchester, Reddish, Chipenham, Wickwar, Peterhead, Midlands, Dublin, Stone,.....

Try and approach local sales agents for control products and see if they can recommend an area.

If your intent on staying in London, then try water/utilities providers.

Good luck

 

He Is in London, Ontario CANADA folks..........