24yr old thinking of changing career to plumbing !!!

[Dannys4321]

24 yr. old construction worker (building playgrounds) a the moment thinking of changing my career, what's peoples advice on these Fast-track plumbing courses???

 

[Ermintrude]

Waste of time. Only suited if you already know what your doing not a fresh starter

 

[Dannys4321]

Hi what's other option do you suggest ??

 

[Ermintrude]

Slow track. Find a course at collage nvq level 2 . Nights at first then find employer and start level 3. Then do your gas. Fast track you will be no good to anyone unless you know your chips first.

 

[LDhiman]

i did a course with NCS that has given me a level 2. but tbh alltho i know regs and basics i dont really feel like i could do it on my own full time. didnt even take a tap apart or anything, cost me 6500k plus going to doncaster for 5 weeks

 

[A1P]

i did a course with NCS that has given me a level 2. but tbh alltho i know regs and basics i dont really feel like i could do it on my own full time. didnt even take a tap apart or anything, cost me 6500k plus going to doncaster for 5 weeks

An honest and helpful post.The'long' route via technical college is best.However from what I understand the funding is limited at a certain age and there is the problem of building up a practical portfolio which is well documented in various threads on here.Even offers to work for nothing seem to fall on deaf ears.Sorry if this seems negative but it is meant to be realistic.Go into this very carefully.It has taken me 7 years to feel I can comfortably earn a living and I have no commitments.I am finally enjoying the work more because I feel some sense of security.Good luck.

 

[Ermintrude]

Pay me 12k and after 2 years you will be "the man"

 

[LDhiman]

An honest and helpful post.The'long' route via technical college is best.However from what I understand the funding is limited at a certain age and there is the problem of building up a practical portfolio which is well documented in various threads on here.Even offers to work for nothing seem to fall on deaf ears.Sorry if this seems negative but it is meant to be realistic.Go into this very carefully.It has taken me 7 years to feel I can comfortably earn a living and I have no commitments.I am finally enjoying the work more because I feel some sense of security.Good luck.

sadly iv been laid off from my full time job so being thrown into the deep end.

i have mixed feelings about this course tbh, it is good in some ways but if u can and young enough proper collage apprentice is a better IMO lol. im 25 and couldn't do one.

 

[A1P]

sadly iv been laid off from my full time job so being thrown into the deep end.

i have mixed feelings about this course tbh, it is good in some ways but if u can and young enough proper collage apprentice is a better IMO lol. im 25 and couldn't do one.

Were you able to complete your practical portfolio? That is another problem with these courses .They either say that you are properly qualified and don't mention practical work or say they will arrange it and manage to get out of it.Are there any evening courses which would help you? If you are a practical person there is the handyman route.As well as plumbing,do tiling+decorating.Courses less expensive.

 

[LDhiman]

Were you able to complete your practical portfolio? That is another problem with these courses .They either say that you are properly qualified and don't mention practical work or say they will arrange it and manage to get out of it.Are there any evening courses which would help you? If you are a practical person there is the handyman route.As well as plumbing,do tiling+decorating.Courses less expensive.

iv done all my work/practical for my course just need to finish the write ups. that will give me my C&G level 2. then to get my full NVQ diploma there's 2 onsite visits costing £300 each. that i have to do

 

[A1TEC]

It is hard these days for any one wanting training/experience etc, it all comes down to money and lining some ones pocket for the pleasure of doing your job.:annoyed:

 

[baldyb220]

Hi. I would avoid doing a fast track course to be honest. I know 3 people in the last year who have done them and they are all still trying to find someone to help them do their portfolio and assessments. It's common sense really how can u be a plumber in 6-8 weeks from a training workshop?
I'm doing an apprenticeship at the age of 35 and it was the only way forward I felt. I'm struggling financially but my loss now will be my gain in less than 2 years now. I DJ on the side to get by and my wife is very supportive of me. Plus my friend is my boss and was happy for me to be an apprentice, I'm lucky and it's about time things started to work out for me. Do a lot of searching round and try and get the best advice you can. I hope all works out well.
All the best

 

[village idiot]

i did a course with NCS that has given me a level 2. but tbh alltho i know regs and basics i dont really feel like i could do it on my own full time. didnt even take a tap apart or anything, cost me 6500k plus going to doncaster for 5 weeks

£6,500, you got off lightly. I know people who have spent £10 - 15K and have nothing to show for it. Some have been lucky enough to return to their previous jobs, but most are up to their ears in debt

 

[unitedgas]

Its a tough one. To be honest I think the tech cert level 2 is a bit crap. Theory wise its decent but
practical wise its poor. I think anyone starting out needs a few years on the tools with another plumber.

 

[newcastle phill]

The tech cert on its own is of limited use and would class you as a jobbing plumber doing small menial tasks of limited scope. The full nvq2 I suppose really isnt worth alot more as 3 onsite visits to say 'yes you can wear a hard hat' ......... 'yes you can solder a pipe'........'yes you can erect ladders or carve up floorboards' etc doesnt really make you any more competent.

As has already been said Rome wasnt built in a day........Take your time, hone your skills and persevere.

Once your level 2 is done then you can focus on level 3 which is alot more in depth with advanced hot and cold water etc and is worlds apart from level 2.

I have been at college for the past 4 years on evenings after work, I work hard crappy shifts, 2 weeks days amd 2 weeks nights and I get so tired.
Its been hard trying to juggle the family and study and keep everybody happy - but its an ambition.

I would say dont give up your day job what pays the bills and keeps a roof over your head.
But also follow your dreams and be realistic with regard to what you hope to achieve.

I really have total enthusiasm to try and achieve my ambition.
It isnt going to be easy and I wouldnt want it to be done in 6 weeks.
But hopefully hard work and commitment to your ambitions you will get there.

My journey is still ongoing and I become more enthusiastic as my knowledge grows.
Its been difficult, expensive and also fun, ive made good friends along the way and look forward to what the future holds.

Im not out to make a quick buck, I have a day job ( well ok ok ok....i work shifts lol but you know what I mean) that does that already but with no satisfaction.

But You have to ask yourself before you embark on this - are you prepared to give it your all.
Because it requires it.

4 years down the line I could have done a degree in law or civil engineering, but I want to be a gas engineer.

Whatever you choose - do it for the right reasons and give it your all.

 

[Ermintrude]

Phil u still want in at some point?!

 

[Killy Bing]

The tech cert on its own is of limited use and would class you as a jobbing plumber doing small menial tasks of limited scope. The full nvq2 I suppose really isnt worth alot more as 3 onsite visits to say 'yes you can wear a hard hat' ......... 'yes you can solder a pipe'........'yes you can erect ladders or carve up floorboards' etc doesnt really make you any more competent.

As has already been said Rome wasnt built in a day........Take your time, hone your skills and persevere.

Once your level 2 is done then you can focus on level 3 which is alot more in depth with advanced hot and cold water etc and is worlds apart from level 2.

I have been at college for the past 4 years on evenings after work, I work hard crappy shifts, 2 weeks days amd 2 weeks nights.
Its been hard trying to juggle the family and study and keep everybody happy.

I would say dont give up your day job what pays the bills and keeps a roof over your head.
But also follow your dreams and be realistic with regard to what you hope to achieve.

I really have total enthusiasm to try and achieve my ambition.
It isnt going to be easy and I wouldnt want it to be done in 6 weeks.
But hopefully hard work and commitment to your ambitions you will get there.

My journey is still ongoing and I become more enthusiastic as my knowledge grows.
Its been difficult, expensive and also fun, ive made good friends along the way and look forward to what the future holds.

Im not out to make a quick buck, I have a day job ( well ok ok ok....i work shifts lol but you know what I mean) that does that already but with no satisfaction.

But You have to ask yourself before you embark on this - are you prepared to give it your all.
Because it requires it.

4 years down the line I could have done a degree in law or civil engineering, but I want to be a gas engineer.

Whatever you choose - do it for the right reasons and give it your all.

I like you

 

[Killy Bing]

Phil u still want in at some point?!

if zeb zeb gives you an offer, milk those udders

 

[newcastle phill]

Ohh deffo Ermy.
More than ever.

 

[newcastle phill]

if zeb zeb gives you an offer, milk those udders

My churns are a'empty and awaiting whatever Ermys well used udders can chuck out lol

 

[R.Oak]

You should try to get an apprenticeship with someone, do day release at college and the rest of the time working for an employer. They will pay you peanuts and work you to death but after two years you will have decent experience, a qualification and very good job prospects. If you do a fast track course you spend a fortune, know very little, be unemployable and it will take YEARS to get to a decent level of experience and confidence. Confidence is key, you need to be sure in yourself or the customer will not want to use you.

 

[Mr Carter]

I agree big time that fast track courses or home courses aren't the route to a successful career in any trade industry it is really a con. I would say do a apprenticeship or if you can study at college and find a friend that can take you on who has dere own business first before you go and say study because at least theory and practical will go hand in hand. Its a practical career so you would need greatly practical experiance.

Also call up people and ask if you can watch them or if they can teach you and you bring them clients and work in exchange for training or find somebody who is retiring and ask them to teach you in exchange for buying there company off them once you qualified and gained all the experiance there are ways to get in but u got to be persistant and dedicated

 

[wetdrip]

Pay me 12k and after 2 years you will be "the man"

Ermi,
If you were local and I could afford it,I'd have my nipper working under you in a shot.
As, that's a good deal, considering most of the other fast track options etc.

 

[wetdrip]

The tech cert on its own is of limited use and would class you as a jobbing plumber doing small menial tasks of limited scope. The full nvq2 I suppose really isnt worth alot more as 3 onsite visits to say 'yes you can wear a hard hat' ......... 'yes you can solder a pipe'........'yes you can erect ladders or carve up floorboards' etc doesnt really make you any more competent.



As has already been said Rome wasnt built in a day........Take your time, hone your skills and persevere.

Once your level 2 is done then you can focus on level 3 which is alot more in depth with advanced hot and cold water etc and is worlds apart from level 2.

I have been at college for the past 4 years on evenings after work, I work hard crappy shifts, 2 weeks days amd 2 weeks nights and I get so tired.
Its been hard trying to juggle the family and study and keep everybody happy - but its an ambition.

I would say dont give up your day job what pays the bills and keeps a roof over your head.
But also follow your dreams and be realistic with regard to what you hope to achieve.

I really have total enthusiasm to try and achieve my ambition.
It isnt going to be easy and I wouldnt want it to be done in 6 weeks.
But hopefully hard work and commitment to your ambitions you will get there.

My journey is still ongoing and I become more enthusiastic as my knowledge grows.
Its been difficult, expensive and also fun, ive made good friends along the way and look forward to what the future holds.

Im not out to make a quick buck, I have a day job ( well ok ok ok....i work shifts lol but you know what I mean) that does that already but with no satisfaction.

But You have to ask yourself before you embark on this - are you prepared to give it your all.
Because it requires it.

4 years down the line I could have done a degree in law or civil engineering, but I want to be a gas engineer.

Whatever you choose - do it for the right reasons and give it your all.

Well said.
My nippers is doing much the same.
He's taken a job with Lear Corporation, hard graft shift work, traveling for Coventry to Worcestershire to be trained-up, for the first three weeks, thereafter working with Lear at their Coventry factory.
He's not given up on plumbing and gas, but needs the cushion of a regular wage.
In short he'll come out of this much more determined to pursue his dream job.
Also think, that 24 is a good age, unless your a child King Billy type prodigy, to go for a change in life, as many are just too young in the head to get to grips with the complexity of this job.

 

[Ad_stoke]

Fast track courses are a waste of time. You don't learn anything hands on....