Help,

[UpTheCov]

Hi, I'm 16 and will be starting a full time plumbing course at college in a few weeks. I would love to own my own business when I am older and I am under no impression that it will be easy, although I have no idea as to how to do so. I was just wondering if anyone could tell me what to do after I have completed the course; like where to go and work for a few years to further my knowledge or how long it would take start your own business. Any tips for the long process I am about to under go would be much appreciated, Thanks!

 

[newbie1]

the best advice you will ever get is get out there with an experienced guy and soak up his experience it is worth its weight in gold

 

[justlead1]

Hi At 16 your not a threat, find a good plumber listen and learn. Once you prove yourself to your employer get on the college thing. Colleges will always be there being 16 wont.

 

[Plucky]

I really must stress you need to find yourself a job. Write letters to companies if they dont reply, then phone them, go to their office if you must. Show willingness and that you want to learn.

Full time courses are OK but you need to get on a day release. 80% of your trade will be learnt in the workplace. Listening and helping an experienced guy.

I dont want to put you down but I done a day release course opnly about 30% of the guys I trained with are still plumbing. The full time course I would say it would be as little as 1 in 10 managed to get a job in the trade. Those who didnt got fed up looking and are doing other jobs.

Good luck

 

[UpTheCov]

Thanks very much for your advice. Although I am starting the full time course (which is only 3 days a week) I have been working with a plumber off the books and will continue to do so for the other two days, he just couldn't afford to offer me an apprenticeship; which is fair enough. From what I've seen and been told, alot of the skill and craft has been taken out of plumbing with the introduction of push fittings and things like pipeslice

 

[justlead1]

Hi, I am inclined to agree, but the most important aspect is to understand the theory/ physics associated with plumbing. Knowing WHY is very important and reduces the stress and head scratching practiced by some pipe stranglers. Good Luck