I Want To Become A Plumber (Need Help Please)

[Jay16]

Hi

My names Jay and am 20 years of age from the UK. I have been Jobless for a while now, due to the recission etc.

But after a long hard think, I want to be a Plumber. But the catch is, I am going to pay for a Plumming course, which will be quicker and I will be taught more one on one, rather than go to collage for 3+ years.

I am paying for this with my savings.

But I just wanted to ask a few things about the plumbing world.

-How Hard is it to really learn? Am completey new to the game.
-Is the money as really as good as people claim?
-Do you have to be good at maths and measurements?
-What is the key to becoming a great plumber instead of a good one?

Hope you guys can help.

Thanks!

 

[migoplumber]

great plumbers made by experience.
maths not a problem - you could always pay one of us engineers to give you the required numbers
i work hard for a company and dont yet earn 30k
not difficult to learn.

go to college is the besy advice.

tell us why after your good hard think you have decided to become a plumber - hope its not from a story in the sport.
have you got any engineering/mechanical background

best of luck!!

 

[Jay16]

great plumbers mad by experience.
maths not a problem - you could always pay one of us engineers to give you the required numbers
i work hard for a company and dont yet earn 30k
not difficult to learn.

go to college is the besy advice.

tell us why after your good hard think you have decided to become a plumber - hope its not from a story in the sport.
have you got any engineering/mechanical background

best of luck!!

Thanks mate.

So it's lies then, that a good plumber can up to £2000 a week?

And why do you feel I shoundt pay for course?

And I have no engineering/mechanical background.

 

[migoplumber]

with no background, its all gonna be new to you.
read the plumbing courses feedback threads. i now have two friends that have lost money with access2trades and they are not the only ones going out of business at the mo.
the best secure and safe way is to learn with your local college.
there are some good fast track courses out there - and i new a couple of plumbers ( fast track - that are better than the time served locals ) but why risk 7k on that and then all your start up costs of your own business ( from 5k to 15k depending how brave you are )
some well established good reputation plumbers may earn 2k a week - dont think theres any on this site tho. dont forget if your earning 100k a year then the taxman wants about 40, ni another 5. liability,van, tools and maintenance 5 another 5
say your left with 50k ayear for a super well established plumber,
factor in your 12 hour days + paperwork at home, 7 days a week, unpaid holidays you'll end up with 15? or 20 quid an hour.
ive been there for the last 20 years. now retired to a pleasant firm 40 hours a week on the same wage!!

dont want to dissuade you, plumbing is great - i love my job, but dont let the "money" sway your mind. its just another job. pays better than many others when your experienced, and enjoyable. dont believe trash paper hype.

tell me again why you want to be a plumber ?!

still wishing you the best of luck

 

[Jay16]

with no background, its all gonna be new to you.
read the plumbing courses feedback threads. i now have two friends that have lost money with access2trades and they are not the only ones going out of business at the mo.
the best secure and safe way is to learn with your local college.
there are some good fast track courses out there - and i new a couple of plumbers ( fast track - that are better than the time served locals ) but why risk 7k on that and then all your start up costs of your own business ( from 5k to 15k depending how brave you are )
some well established good reputation plumbers may earn 2k a week - dont think theres any on this site tho. dont forget if your earning 100k a year then the taxman wants about 40, ni another 5. liability,van, tools and maintenance 5 another 5
say your left with 50k ayear for a super well established plumber,
factor in your 12 hour days + paperwork at home, 7 days a week, unpaid holidays you'll end up with 15? or 20 quid an hour.
ive been there for the last 20 years. now retired to a pleasant firm 40 hours a week on the same wage!!

dont want to dissuade you, plumbing is great - i love my job, but dont let the "money" sway your mind. its just another job. pays better than many others when your experienced, and enjoyable. dont believe trash paper hype.

tell me again why you want to be a plumber ?!

still wishing you the best of luck

Am not gonna lie mate. I want to be a plumber for the money and that is the sole reason, it's a job that pays well.

And am I understanding right, it will cost me £7000 pound for a private plummbing course?

 

[migoplumber]

yes there are companies charging over 7k for a plumbing course ( apparently with a guaranteed job at end. PLEASE read small print)

nope ime not quoting figures or suggesting which course to take.
read the forums. google companies. SPEAK to local college. if your just in it for the money then with the utmost respect become a business manager for barclays ! that is said honestly and absolutely not taking the mick. give it a couple of days rest then have a look at this thread again. at the moment your reading the advice of one bloke. wait for some more advice.

 

[REDSAW]

go to college and let the goverment pay for it and save your money.
after 2 years at college learning the tech cert and 6months on-site nvq's, in 2013 there may be a plumbing job vacancy in your area when the economy pics up.

 

[Blackcatgas]

Hi

My names Jay and am 20 years of age from the UK. I have been Jobless for a while now, due to the recission etc.

But after a long hard think, I want to be a Plumber. But the catch is, I am going to pay for a Plumming course, which will be quicker and I will be taught more one on one, rather than go to collage for 3+ years.

I am paying for this with my savings.

But I just wanted to ask a few things about the plumbing world.

-How Hard is it to really learn? Am completey new to the game. Iam learning everyday still after 14yrs, If you can use tools then thats an advantage, a fast track course will not make you a good plumber overnight.
-Is the money as really as good as people claim? No, never has been, just some crap that the red top tabliods made up, I once earned 35k in a year "on the books" 12 hour days on price work, nearly killed me.Although without blowing my own trumpet Iam a good allround plumber and quick when I need to be , Its taken years to build up those skills and speed £25k a year is more realistic.
-Do you have to be good at maths and measurements?you need to have a basic grasp of things.
-What is the key to becoming a great plumber instead of a good one?on The job exp and training.

Hope you guys can help.

Thanks!

..........................................

 

[mrlennie]

I am about 1 -2 years on from you. I was 17 when I started am now 19. There is no one training for any money unless you know them or they (big plumbing company) pick you outta the bunch for some unknown reason.

I asked a council guy who came to my house whether he did foreigners and he said he did then i asked could i work with him for free. He said he didnt have much work but will have in about a month. Thankfully he pulled through and we work together every weekend but! I am earning very little!!! And I started about 6 months ago. The experience is worth it to me. If you wanna work for yourself and get nice money try window cleaning, then while your at college learning you can get abit of work of your friends and family. I've even learnt to be more useful around the house like fitting a new washing machine is simples whereas i have seen others struggle. Now I have fitted a shower for my mum who was desperate but couldnt afford one then a bathroom suite for my friend who didnt trust anyone and hes got alot more work like new washing machine valves and rads he wants fitting. Just building up...

So basically expect to work for free short term long term you'll feel useful and youll be able to afford a nice van and quality tools not much else!!!

 

[david williams]

there are plumbers who earn very good money,most will be self employed in one way or another,there are no shortages of plumbers,in fact now there is a glut of poorly or half trained want to be plumbers,it takes time to be a proper plumber weather with bits of paper or by experience,experience you will find is the better of the two,get into a proper collage if you can and learn over a measured time period,most training companies will say you can be a master plumber and earn £60,000 after twelve weeks training ,they are lieing,i would like to know how many who come through these courses actualy succeed in th plumbing industry

 

[Smcart5]

Don't pay 7 grand up front for a course, you are unemployed so the college will discount your course, a significant discount too (mine cost £200), do that and in the meantime apply in writing or typing as i did (my handwriting isn't so good) to all your local plumbing firms.

Call them first and get a name so you can address the letter to someone, good luck.

 

[mzuk04]

I am no plumber but felt like registering to give my advice. I'm a civil engineer and got into it as a Modern Apprenticeship a week after I left school after my GCSE's.

The company paid for my 4yrs at college for my two qualifications and expenses while earning a salary.

In your circumstance I agree with everyone here, that these "fast-track" courses will not make you a competent plumber in any respect, I suppose they give you a quick understanding and basic principals of the 'plumbing' world. Hands on experience is defiantly the best way (I went to college on day release), I would go to college as it wont cost you that much and certainly try to get in with a local company and even offer your help for free short term (as your priority at the moment) is to get a bit of an understanding and some experience and as weird it sounds, trying disconnecting some appliances at home and reconnecting, just have a go at that if your folks will let you of course.

I have met a lot of people that did so many years full time at Uni for the same qualifications as myself straight from Sixth Form and when they are out on site the majority dont have a clue.

Sorry for the long winded message.

Regards
Chris

 

[Winston]

I did a fast track course and on completion no job offers, so went out on my own and very daunting. You do not learn nearly enough on the course to be confident or good.

I have however carried on and made some mates who are timeserved and learnt a million times more than I did on my course. But I have to say even the local training at colleges is limited as to what you will learn.

You need to be out there in the real world to learn and not a nice clean tidy bay. Earnings 2k a week I am nowhere near that, on average my turnover for my buisiness is 2.5k a month.

 

[fuzzy]

if your doing it only for money there ar easir ways to make good moneu. this is not the bigearner people think. most plumbers work hard for about 20k a year - remember that, probably 80percent only earn circa 20k per annum

training currently costs about 10k at a private centre
be careful what course you sign up on. many courses claim to be plumbing but are a poor version or not plumbing at all just some units of a course
adverts are often misleading
the 6129 tec cert is finishing this year - THE ONLY WAY TO BE A PLUMBER IS VIA AN APPENTICESHIP FROM SEP 2010

 

[andyg0507]

fuzzy, could you tell me where youve got the info about having to be in an apprenticeship as of sep 2010, as far as im aware( dont know how true it is) but as of sep 2010 the new 6129 will be a module course with a nvq module in it. obviously if you are above a certain age you would no longer be able to do an apprenticeship

there is a few things regarding the new framework on the city and guilds website but i cant find the link.

 

[fuzzy]

fuzzy, could you tell me where youve got the info about having to be in an apprenticeship as of sep 2010, as far as im aware( dont know how true it is) but as of sep 2010 the new 6129 will be a module course with a nvq module in it. obviously if you are above a certain age you would no longer be able to do an apprenticeship

there is a few things regarding the new framework on the city and guilds website but i cant find the link.

I am using the term apprenticeship to explain the new NVQ or NVQ Diploma as it will be called. You can be an adult apprentice. Yes your right the new qual will have elements of on-site in it which will stop you achieveing the qual without on-site evidence. Therefore killing the college only route like the 6129,. No college or training provider can offer you a full qual without on-site evidence and that will contain some on-site assessment by a qualified assessor.
Therefore collegese will not get funding to put someone on a course if they cannot achieve therefore you must be employed, hence me using the phrase apprentice, sorry if this was misleading but its pretty much what it comes down to.
A private centre charging for the course could run the elements only but there is no qual with that, not sure why someone would pay and complete not to get qualified. the only real option is for them to find you employment to complete the course. easier said than done in this climate

 

[Winston]

I personally think it is pretty scandalous that the media hype plumbing up to be well paid. Yes it can be well paid if you have job after job but unless you work for a company and are self employed there is time when there is no work.

I think the goverment should offer more incentives to take both young and old apprentices on but they dont. this week I worked with a lad of 20 just about to finish his two years at college, and has been told to old.

In years to come this country will be once again have a skills shortage and then rely upon trades from other countries to fill the posts.

 

[oldplumber]

this time last year I waspulling in £1000-1500 a month, this month I am looking at £5000 after I have cleared the cost of materials and parts. I still have to take off my fixed costs for van, insurance, fuel etc and I work most evenings and w/e on paperwork and quotes.

Last year I was only doing plumbing and in june I finally got my gas safe ticket, and everytrhing is scary working oon your own. Its taken 6/7 years of plumbing and maintenance work to build a small customer base and now all that is slowly paying off as they want their gas work done by someone they know and trust. However one bad job can blow it and I know come june/july my work will disapear until the world has had their hols. If your only in it for the money you will be a sorely disappointed person for many years unless you just botch, charge and go but you will have to move areas regularly to find work. You may have to reconsider if you think the gfrass is greener on this side of tghe fence.

 

[fuzzy]

I personally think it is pretty scandalous that the media hype plumbing up to be well paid. Yes it can be well paid if you have job after job but unless you work for a company and are self employed there is time when there is no work.

I think the goverment should offer more incentives to take both young and old apprentices on but they dont. this week I worked with a lad of 20 just about to finish his two years at college, and has been told to old.

In years to come this country will be once again have a skills shortage and then rely upon trades from other countries to fill the posts.

the funding ends at 19 for an apprentice. he/she can continue but there are fees attached, supposedly £3k but most colleges will take a cut to keep an apprentice on and do it for say £1k, problem is they cannot keep loosing money at some stage they will have no choice, cough up or no go

fuzzy, could you tell me where youve got the info about having to be in an apprenticeship as of sep 2010, as far as im aware( dont know how true it is) but as of sep 2010 the new 6129 will be a module course with a nvq module in it. obviously if you are above a certain age you would no longer be able to do an apprenticeship

there is a few things regarding the new framework on the city and guilds website but i cant find the link.

just to point out - THERE WILL BE NO NEW 6129 NO NEW TECH CERT ONLY NVQS

 

[moony]

I personally think it is pretty scandalous that the media hype plumbing up to be well paid. Yes it can be well paid if you have job after job but unless you work for a company and are self employed there is time when there is no work.

I think the goverment should offer more incentives to take both young and old apprentices on but they dont. this week I worked with a lad of 20 just about to finish his two years at college, and has been told to old.

In years to come this country will be once again have a skills shortage and then rely upon trades from other countries to fill the posts.

im 30 mate currently on level 3 nvq all paid for by the welsh education authority

 

[DarkCrystl]

Been trading for almost a year now and it's been stressful to say the least when I've never run a business before. You don't get regular pay dates (pay yourself a small amount if ur lucky) and any money you will earn comes from obtaining custom from others....

 

[Southend]

I've paid for a "Fast-Track" Plumbing course, it's a complete joke. I'm looking into counciling my course as i'm young enough to be an Appentice. Listen to the other lads, they talk sence, don't waste your money with these numpts go to a Local college and learn the old fashion way!


All the best.

 

[fuzzy]

I've paid for a "Fast-Track" Plumbing course, it's a complete joke. I'm looking into counciling my course as i'm young enough to be an Appentice. Listen to the other lads, they talk sence, don't waste your money with these numpts go to a Local college and learn the old fashion way!


All the best.

hi southend, what was your experiecne?

 

[learningplumin]

Unfortunately, if you are only interested in money, then you will never be good at a trade.
You will need a natural interest, in the trade you choose.

 

[pete m l]

my son went to college night school 2 nights a week for 2years he came out thinking he was a qualified plumber!!!! only to find out different.He has now been working for me for about 2 and a half years and is now getting there he is fortunate that i have been in the trade 43 years and has my experience to learn from. Dont be fooled by what you hear re money or quick training ,I am still learning everyday after 43years
good luck hope this helps