Plumbing as a Trade???

Ransom

Ransom

Ransom

Associate
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
860
Location
Buxton
Right now im in a sales job that's going no where i would like to learn a trade but i keep thinking that i have left it too late im 27 now and 1son and 1baby on the way due in a few months.

my grandfather and his brother were both plumbers and he said if i do start nightschool he will help me out.

a few questions i hope some people can advise me on,

where do i start?

what courses do i need to look at? (i must work 9-5 to support my family)

What qualifications are needed to be a qualified plumber

how long would this take doing night school / out of normal working hours study.

am i stupid to even try at my age?

Thanks for any replies
mark
 
I am thinking of going into it plus building work, chap I know is looking for a work partner his son has just moved to Jersey.

Main things you need is:

To learn it but also have hands on experience so working in peoples homes etc. not doing a crash course, they are like £6k to do and last a month but with like any job you really need to come across problems and get the experience.

I think C&G do a 3 year part time course or 2 year full time. I think it would be very hard to do if you are working a 9-5 in sales, I am 24 and can afford to be earning an apprentice wage, no kids or mortgage.
 
I think I remember reading in my searches that plumbing is saturated right now from all of the people trying to clamber onboard the 90k a year train. Maybe take a look at being an Electrician instead? Still skilled work.
 
Ideally i want to train as a plumber thus following my grandfathers steps

i see from some research that i need the

City and Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate

to start off with , this seems to be a 8 week in-house training which is impossible for me AND costs £5000+ from what ive seen

is there anyone else that has been through the starting process of becoming a plumber that can offer me some tips on where to start an what too look for?

thanks
 
Ransom said:
Ideally i want to train as a plumber thus following my grandfathers steps

i see from some research that i need the

City and Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate

to start off with , this seems to be a 8 week in-house training which is impossible for me AND costs £5000+ from what ive seen

is there anyone else that has been through the starting process of becoming a plumber that can offer me some tips on where to start an what too look for?

thanks
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Apprenticeships? ask local plumbing firms if they're hiring, rubbish wages but you'll learn and they'll pay for training.
 
romperstomper said:
Some of the corgi ones refuse to do loos .
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All of my mates that are plumbers don't work on toilets unless it's fixing them in a new house. They have no need they make enough money that they can easily be choosy with the work they take on.

There is so much work about in the building trades that turning down toilet work won't be an issue.
 
Working with poo never bothered me, ya kinda get used to it.

As for qualifications. You should be looking to aim for NVQ2 minimum. Or 3 if you can.

Then do your ACS for gas.

I just got a job today as an Engineer so i dont need to touch poo anymore anyway lol
 
i would love to do something like this (not necessarily plumbing) as i.t. is starting to get a bit dull. sorry, let me rephrase that - i.t. as in the technology is fantastic, i.t. as in management, politics and lusers is starting to get a bit dull. unfourtunately i am just not in a position to re-train as i have rent and bills to pay. gutted.
 
I started my new job today as a Trainee Electrician. Its just domestic electrical installation at the moment. Im sub contracting to someone who is self employed. This also makes me self employed and relying on him to get the work in. Im on low wages to start with but am only 21 so dont need anymore right now. Ive been told once i gain experience i will get paid more and when i gain qualifications i will also get paid more.

I will start NVQ Level 2 (City and Guilds) in 6 months and it lasts 2 years. After that i will go onto NVQ level 3 which is another year. Each year is going to cost me (YES ME!) £800. Its 2 evenings a week for 3 hours a time.

Fingers crossed it all goes to plan.
 
Ry@n said:
I started my new job today as a Trainee Electrician. Its just domestic electrical installation at the moment. Im sub contracting to someone who is self employed. This also makes me self employed and relying on him to get the work in. Im on low wages to start with but am only 21 so dont need anymore right now. Ive been told once i gain experience i will get paid more and when i gain qualifications i will also get paid more.

I will start NVQ Level 2 (City and Guilds) in 6 months and it lasts 2 years. After that i will go onto NVQ level 3 which is another year. Each year is going to cost me (YES ME!) £800. Its 2 evenings a week for 3 hours a time.

Fingers crossed it all goes to plan.
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good luck RY@n m8,always wanted to do a trade but kept putting it of,might go for it now
 
Ive been trying to get an apprenticeship for years now. Im finding it extremely difficult now because of my age ( 19 ). Most places look to take on 16 year old fresh from school, aint really fair.
Anyway, goodluck mate. Hope you find something.
 
Paton said:
Ive been trying to get an apprenticeship for years now. Im finding it extremely difficult now because of my age ( 19 ). Most places look to take on 16 year old fresh from school, aint really fair.
Anyway, goodluck mate. Hope you find something.
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I think you should keep looking mate :)

The person who took me on previously employed a 24 year old as his apprentice. He fired him as he was not reliable. This is how i got it, i knew the bloke and got talking to him. About 10 days later i started the job which was today!

I dont think they necessarily look for 16 year olds as they know at 16 years of age they are not as keen as say a 19-21 year old (in general). Well thats how i see it, i am in the right frame of mind to give this a shot whereas at 16-19 i didnt really care about my work.

Hope i made sense. In my eyes your just about the right age to want to learn.
Best of luck and dont give up.
 
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