I've nearly finished a T4TS plumbing course. My advice to anyone taking this up is to take your time with learning and also always ask others for advice on things that don't sink in. I have a friend who started the course the same time as me and finished it in about 8months, problem being is that he doesn't actually know anything and frequently rings me for advice, and I'm not even qualified yet
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If you do decide you want to be a plumber and you have a mortgage and all that bollox this is a good way of getting into it. But it ain't cheap and you reallly need to be willing to start up on your own once you have finished. I'd even go on to say make sure you check all the options available too you before making the decision to go with these guys, you may find there's other options which would suit you better. I did T4TS because my local college doesn't do a plumbing course.
One last thing if you do it this way be prepared to learn a lot of lessons after you have finished, see it as like when you passed your driving test, you may be able to drive but you've got a lot of driving to do before you become good at it.
Totally agree!
I started this course in April 2009, and like anyone, had some reservations regarding t4ts as a company and whether I had done the right thing. One thing however is, I never entered in to it under any illusion it was a fast track or quick fix to my Plumbing career. There is no doubt that hard work and discipline is required to get through the material. Especially when I am trying to do this around a 1yr old and a 4yr old! It takes organisation and determination. Particuarly as there is quite a lot of theory to get through before you even put your hands on any tools.
The course, in my opinion gives you the foundations and rightly said that you will only start to learn once you get out there.
Admittedly I am only a 3rd of the way through due to my family committments (would have liked to have been two 3rd's through by now) and am due to attend my first 2 weeks practical next week. I guess that will be where I make my final judgements on t4ts as a company. Its one thing talking on the phone and another seeing for myself!
Some of the diagrams in the books are a bit naf, and plenty of typing errors but the message is till getting through!
I also looked at college but it was restrictive and split up in too many sections.
I am luckier than most in that I have the support of a husband working full time an earning well, so my income wil be a bonus, allowing me the freedom to establish myself slowly and correctly.
I have spoken to local plumbers who are very supportive, and positive there is plenty of work out there 'if you want it'. I have also offered as a kind of labourer/junior with no pay initially just to help me get a bit of hands on and this has also been welcomed.
As far as t4ts as a company so far (and I can be a harsh critic) they seem good. Although I would like maybe a quartly or half yearly call from someone just to show a bit of support and interest in me as an individual. And someone does need to address the typing and quality of the diagram in the books! And for the 3d scenarios, they are a little tedious to say the least. Nothing like the real thing really.
Despite this, I am still very positive and looking to the future. I am hoping to complete my assessments etc by this time next year, but thats the good thing about it being at your own pace....
mrsPlumb