Skills exchange - any interest?

[InBlack 10]

I have always thought what a good idea it would be to have some kind of skills co-op. A large group of people, such as us using the forum, who we could do a trade with. For example, I could give tuition in the subjects I specialise in, or help with areas I know in exchange for things I am no good at....such as DIY. Would there be much interest do you think?

[Darth Vader 10]

There was a thread on here somewhere, that did this for a while. Don't know if it's still up and running though.

[Flowersfade 10]

this is an awesome idea.... i'd love to take part my special skills are baking and cooking as well as tuition in science maths or English. speaking of baking made some bread earlier yum yum

[Madam-M 10]

Ooh - sounds good. But how could it be organised?

[Oddgitt 10]

I know a few people who might be interested in this.

 

Incidentally, my gf's brother, who lives in Madrid, is heavily involved in something the same, called the time bank - he gives english and music lessons and he gets stuff in exchange. It administered a little differently, but the same thing in essence,.

[riverman 10]

hi, i can weld and have all the gear. what can you do for me??

[muckymurphy 10]

i can weld and have all the gear. what can you do for me???

 

might be in need of your skills in a few weeks time

[kevvv 10]

A great idea. i'm a good gardener but how could you equate my relative low skill base with say an electrician,who would be far more skilled, if i were to swap time with then. would i have to do twice the ammount of work

[muckymurphy 10]

A great idea. i'm a good gardener but how could you equate my relative low skill base with say an electrician,who would be far more skilled, if i were to swap time with then. would i have to do twice the ammount of work

 

there used to be a similar scheme where participants earned "stones" for their work which could be traded for the skills of others.

the last i heard was that HMRC were looking into the tax "or lack of it" implications of the scheme.

 

 

as a disc jockey and a qualified electrician i do these things mostly because i enjoy doing them getting the qualifications and experience has always been worth every penny.

as a teenager, i had 2 allotments and thoroughly enjoyed every moment i spent in them.

its sad that the supposedly "lower skilled" you are, the less you are paid. i have always been of the opinion that the more you sweat, the more you should be paid. it should be as in cuba where everyone is paid the same regardless of their occupation.

never put yourself down, there are times when i would gladly fix your electrics in exchange for you taming my garden.

 

keep ya chin up.

[Dozy 11]

A great idea. i'm a good gardener but how could you equate my relative low skill base with say an electrician,who would be far more skilled, if i were to swap time with then. would i have to do twice the ammount of work

 

I was involved in a now-defunct LETS (Local Exchange Trading Scheme or System) in the north of city.

 

Everybody - regardless of the service/skill they were offering - received the same number of credits per hour for their work. I thought this was fair - after all, being a qualified accountant is bugger all help if you've got a lawn that needs mowing or spring bulbs to plant!

 

The LETS scheme which uses stones , seems to run differently, in that people can decide for themselves what to charge.

 

From my experience, the main problem with setting up a LETS is finding volunteers who are willing to give their time to doing the paperwork/accounting, so joining an existing group might be a better option than trying to set a new one up.

Edited February 7, 2011 by Dozy

[girlyblonde 10]

im great with children, (ex reg childminder) i now work with Dementia patients so would be able to offer baby sitting for all ages,

[Andy 10]

The LETS scheme which uses stones , seems to run differently, in that people can decide for themselves what to charge.

 

From my experience, the main problem with setting up a LETS is finding volunteers who are willing to give their time to doing the paperwork/accounting, so joining an existing group might be a better option than trying to set a new one up.

 

Simple solution to that. Everyone has to give, say one hour every two months to be a member of the scheme. The time spent running the scheme comes out of the "pot". The Admin/paperwork just becomes another skill.