looking for work, any ideas?

[jim1104]

Hi all,

I am looking for a bit of advice and am hoping some of you on here could steer me in the right direction. I’ve completed the City & Guilds 6022 and 6032 and am about to do the CITB unvented hot water qualification and the Bpec water regulations. I’m in my early thirties, a time served plater and have been on the tools since leaving school at 16. I’m looking for any pointers towards getting work in plumbing and if I can’t find anything near home (West of Scotland) then I’m more than willing to travel, down south, up north or anywhere else. I know that right now maybe isn’t the best time to be asking but I’d like to hit the ground running if possible. Any ideas if there are any companies particularly busy right now? Who would be the best bet to send my CV to? Any help anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Jim1104

 

[pnhsolutions]

It is going to be a tough start but if you feel confident then get yourself a van,public liability insurance, decent tools!
Apply for every job you see and when you get an interview SELL yourself!

Secondly, advertise as much as possible!
Get the word around your local (you are a plumber)

Look into sub-contract emergency call out work.

How much experience have you got?

Forget business loans and big finance vans!

Start from the bottom and work your way up.

Keep trying and dont get dis-heartened!

Good luck

 

[leakylea]

nice to see you came to your senses and joined the gang!
i hope you have good fortune, and may all your leaks be small ones good luck!

 

[jim1104]

Many thanks for the replies folks.

I’m part of the way there as I’ve got (most of) the tools already. No PL insurance though but that should be easy to arrange if I go down the self-employed route. I’ll not go for a loan and expensive van as I’d like to try and keep my costs down. Would it be advisable to get a CSCS card?
I would prefer work on a PAYE basis if possible as I’ve never worked self-employed and trying to get used to that as well as switching trades might be a bit too much. As for looking into sub-contract emergency work would that be with the likes of Reactfast?
My work experience is mostly in steel fabrication and I’m used to working from drawings and template making. I use oxy gas cutting equipment, MMA welding equipment, pneumatic and electric grinders and a range of other tools and plant. I’ve picked up a few other certificates along the way such as Confined Space/Emergency Response Team Training, Working at Height Regulations and First Aid. I know these might not be all that relevant to plumbing but that’s why I’ve put myself through the courses that I have.
As far as plumbing experience goes all I’ve got is the practical work in the training courses behind me as I’ve never worked as a plumber before. However, when the platers are quiet in my current job I get put with the pipefitters as a spare pair of hands, and eyes. I know I’m only looked on as a plumbers/pipefitters mate in that case but at least now I’ve got a few certs in the bag.
I’ll keep plugging away and hopefully it will all come good.

Thanks again, all the best.

Jim1104