Advice on finding work.

[Lakesdweller]

Hi guys,
I'm currently on a plumbing course at BTSC in Manc-land I've completed my NVQ 2 and am now doing my level 3, unvented cert. basic gas etc.
I need to find work and I could do with some advice from you pro's.
Am I better off setting up on my own and trying to get some jobs sub-contracting as well as normal jobs or should I try and get work with an experienced plumber. What do you pro's think of us guys who have gone down the re-training route? Would you be more or less likely to take us on?
How would you prefer to be approached? Would cold calling or letter and cv be best?
I'm in south ***bria/Furness but I'm not sure on the work available at the moment around here. I'm eager to learn more and basically be the best plumber I can be, interested in pretty much all forms of plumbing, I just need experience.
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Joe.

 

[Puddle]

What can we say,you need experience and as we all know that is so hard to find at present,its just a matter of keep knocking on doors,send e mails,letters,place add in local merchants maybe,a lot now is being in the right place at the right time,do small jobs were you can to gain experience and confidence,there is no easy way and no easy answer
Good luck in your efforts

 

[macplumb]

It's hard mate. The company I worked for went bust in the downturn leaving 30 of us in the cac. Anyway the only people out of the 30 who could find work were the apprentices the rest couldn't find anything. No one taking on so had to go it alone. Don't realy like a lotore pressure than I was used to having to find work advarise paper work.
But I'm still serchong to get back on the books but still no joy there's a lot of compititon out there. I know 28 lads who go for the jobs I go for and were all nvq acs unvented you would of thourght this would be enougth

 

[justlead1]

Hi Joe, You have not said what experiance you had from previous employment, but times seem hard at present. Beggars can not be choosers. My advise is to study your area, look for the streets with 40'is,50, 60' built houses, with owner occupiers. Knock at week ends, introduce yourself and service by general chat. Every street has a few people who need a new plug and chain on the sink or a syphone looking at on wc cistern, even a lock changing or ballvalve. Tell them you will be back on Tuesday to carry out work in the street and becuase there is no traveling time to add on you can supply and fit a basin chain for a fiver (that sort of script) change a washer etc. It all **** work but it gets your foot in the door, giving you the opportunity to gain confidence and have a quick look in the airing cupboards to see what pipes and systems you are likely to come across when you get going. If you do it right you will be amazed what comes from knocking say 100 houses. Good Luck

 

[Lakesdweller]

Some good advice there and thanks for the support guys. Much appreciated.

 

[hiretools]

Just wanted to say to justlead1 that's 1 of the best bits of advice io have heard on here maybe it just suits what i need i don't know but it defo fits. cheers 8.

 

[justlead1]

Thank you for your kind words. May your bender never ripple. Good Luck

 

[fuzzy]

hAVE YOU APPLIED FOR ANY JOBS YET? oops sorry bout caps lock!