Plumber/gas engineers advancing career

[Matt0029]

Bar going self employed how can a plumber/gas engineer advance his career? Any further qualifications/degrees that could lead to advancing ones career in an area linked to plumbing or gas. Thanks.

 

[Scott_D]

What do you mean by advance?
More money, off the tools, employ people, be a supervisor

 

[Matt0029]

I mean more technical/skilled really.

 

[Scott_D]

To get paid more, change your role
As a working plumber you could do all domestic and commercial gas, LPG and NG
Breakdowns
Unvented
Wras
Oil
Confined spaces
IPAF
Asbestos awareness
Site supervisor
First aid

 

[townfanjon]

What quals have you got now Matt ?

 

[Matt0029]

What quals have you got now Matt ?

I have NVQ level 3 in plumbing. ACS gas safe. I have ccn1, Boilers and water heaters including CPA1 and Meters. In natural gas and LPG. And unvented hot water.

 

[townfanjon]

I have NVQ level 3 in plumbing. ACS gas safe. I have ccn1, Boilers and water heaters including CPA1 and Meters. In natural gas and LPG. And unvented hot water.

Excellent level that mate , you are a well qualified guy , next level is level 4 but pretty sure thats at uni , or it used to be .

 

[Chuck]

Excellent level that mate , you are a well qualified guy , next level is level 4 but pretty sure thats at uni , or it used to be .

You're correct (as usual!) the first year of a BSc degree programme is level 4 in England. Local colleges can, and sometimes do, offer technical and vocational courses at this level but they're not particularly common. It's a relatively small market I suspect.

 

[chris watkins]

Where do you want your career to go Matt ? What areas of your work do you enjoy ?
or perhaps what skills / knowledge would set you apart from others ?
Electrical / controls is an obvious area.

 

[Last Plumber]

It all depends on where you are thinking of going. What are you aiming at?

 

[townfanjon]

You're correct (as usual!)

I keep telling Mrs TFJ this , she just looks vacant and rolls her eyes .

 

[Matt0029]

Where do you want your career to go Matt ? What areas of your work do you enjoy ?
or perhaps what skills / knowledge would set you apart from others ?
Electrical / controls is an obvious area.

The more technical areas. I would like to get some more electrical knowledge and have a few courses booked for this.

 

[chris watkins]

The more technical areas. I would like to get some more electrical knowledge and have a few courses booked for this.

How good was the electrical unit in the NVQ if done properly it should have given a good understanding up to Part P.
Did you cover & understand LLH (hydraulic separation) ?

 

[Jim09876]

It’s a very good question...sounds like you are maxed out on the tool side. Perhaps consider an engineering degree and go down the developer route? or just give up all hope and get a job as an assessor!