19 Year old with dreams of becoming a plumber.

[Dillon]

Hello there,

I'm clearly new to this forum so I apologize if this is posted in the wrong section.

Ill start with my background as I'm here for serious, simple advice. Im 19 years years old from Worcestershire, I live alone due to the death of my mother recently and my father being a c***. I didn't do wonders in school but have the basics is English, Maths and IT. I have always wanted to learn a trade because as far as i'm aware it's a "job for life" but i'm finding it difficult to get into the plumbing trade or get any real answers about how to do it. My dream is too get my qualifications and then get a job to gain experience and eventually sod off to Austrailia if my qualifications allow me.

The only real trade training I have was a few months on a bricklaying course which I enjoyed but quickly realised that trade is on the decline, eventually I had to drop out due to the death of my mother which resulted in me missing too much of the course.

I have found a college course quite local to me (as I think i'm too old for an apprenteship?) which I guess will start in September (awaiting interview) so I would like some kind soul to answer a few questions for me as i'm quite confused at the moment:

The course is 'City & Guilds Level 2 in Basic Plumbing Studies 6129 Technical Certificate', is this the course any young wanna plumber should go for?

&

Once I complete that and do the level 3 City and Guilds Certificate can I then go and work as a plumber for a company, or council what have you?

Is that pretty much how to become a plumber in a nutshell?

Thank you for your time and any help is much appreciated.

Dillon.

 

[mickj]

yes you got it to a tee,i did mine on a night course, no kids and the people there wanted to learn. 2 nights a week 6-9pm i could still work. you need the NVQ2 plumbing book as all the work you do is from that book, all the tests are set from that, as the person who wrote it set the tests.need to put yourself out abit, first 6 weeks you buid some bits and have lessons on fittings ect, need to pass the test at the end of this as you wont get on the full course if you dont.

 

[plumberdarren]

If you can try and do the nvq2 aswell in the 2nd year of your c & g 6129, its the nvq's that make you more employable. Check with your college also as i think its all changing this year and you will have to be in plumbing employment to do any course.

 

[REDSAW]

welcome to the forum.

you seem to be a determined young individual and are you too old for a real apprenticeship?. no your not.
i have a mate who did his at 43 all he did was go and bang on the doors of the bigger companies and dont stop till you find one.

the 6129 had its day but it wont get you employment especially if you want to go to aus i'm affraid.
p.s dont tell your future employer thats what your planning, i did (canada) and lost my apprenticeship.loll.

 

[GQuigley67]

there were guys in my class at 40+ I think they had to pay some of the college fee though

 

[Dillon]

Ok thanks for the advice guys, prior to finding this 'site I was all for the plumbing industry but by the sounds of it on here it's all doom and gloom! Maybe I should consider re training as something else and going to uni!

As for the NVQ, I havent seen any colleges that give you that, only the 6129?

 

[Centralheatking]

I am 53 been in this game properly since I was 20 ish. On balance I would do it all again there will always be work for plumbers. It is not all doom and gloom - work hard do a good job get paid.

I think the qualifications thing is overrated - experience is better any day but get some quals as well.

centralheatking

 

[GQuigley67]

I like my job its a challenge and you feel good after completing a project and helping people out, plus the money can be good depends on what your doing, after the recession the money will get better just everyone is undercutting each other at the moment.

 

[moony]

Ok thanks for the advice guys, prior to finding this 'site I was all for the plumbing industry but by the sounds of it on here it's all doom and gloom! Maybe I should consider re training as something else and going to uni!

As for the NVQ, I havent seen any colleges that give you that, only the 6129?

get to uni lad and enjoy your younger days if your thinking of that, i would if i had my time over ( i start my bsc in building studies part time in september) i done my apprenticeship at 27, im 31 with my own business and going into the building studies degree in sept to try and get off the tools by time im 40 with a bit of luck

 

[fuzzy]

be carefull, as i keep posting, not sure if the penny has dropped yet but the 6129 finishes for new entrants from april