Becoming a Plumber

[NovaloadedAgain]

Hi Guys, Need your opinions on this one....

Ive been speaking to Epo about becoming an electrician, Ive decided not to do it because Training will take alot longer then plumbing which is something else I considered. Thanks again Epo.

So In my local newspaper they had a course advertised, Basically shortage of plumbers, Specialist quick access course, Job at the end etc.

Firstly...Anyone else done one of these???
Secondly...It wasnt very local, It was Leatherhead, So I went. Found out its a very new scheme, had an interview aptitude test etc.

Today he called & said me & 5 others have been selected. Wow!
He said once qualified (Will take upto a year) 13 modules, In house tests, C&G2-3 qualification NIC etc. I would be lined up for a job around 20k startin, But because out of everyone I am very confident & a guy who seems easy to get on with I d probably start on about 22k.

The course costs ?4600!!!!!!!

What should I do. They require the cash next week!

[jkhilton]

Shop around to see how much other courses cost and what they offer etc and then if it is genuine/good value for money(and you think you could be a plumber) and the job at the end is worth it, go for it. I remember reading an article in the times about plumbers and how the average wage was approaching the 50k/year mark. I think if I could be be arsed to retrain to do something new, it would be something I would consider.

Can you not get some kind of career development loan or something to reduce the cost of the course?

[NovaloadedAgain]

To be truthful mate, There isnt any other decent courses like this. Id have to go to college for 2-3 years. Your right about the income too, & Gas plumbers can earn over 100k. Id still keep the NOVA....lol.
Its alot of loot but I think it would pay for itself. I doubt Id be able to get a loan for that,as its designed for adults changing professions. Not people my age looking to start a career quick.
But i think its worth investing in myself. Im doing it so Ive got a trade, Not really for the cash. Least if you get sacked its easy to get new work.

I really think its an opportunity, But dont want to be conned, Although this is a new scheme & it was genuine company.

Have a look at there site & tell me what you think?

http://www.btsc.co.uk/

[epo]

good luck with it mate but ?4600 is a lot of money for a course imo

why dont you start doing it at night at college just to get the basics
i did with motor viechical (sp)

[Nick]

well, no offense to anyone who isn't but...

i work for an architects, and we tend to give massive amounts of work to the registered tradesmen, i.e the ones with proper qualifications who are registered to the "plumbers association" or whatever it is called.

if you really want to be a plumber then i'd suggest doing the whole course properly, and getting yourself properly registered and qualified, as our clients pay decent money for all the tradesmen we supply to them.

We won't touch or go near ones that are half-qualified, unreliable or just plainly rubbish, because we are partly respoinsible for their work.

[dandan]

Its not just that course. You've also gotta become Corgi registered before you can start earning the money. Its all about gas regs and the like otherwise your consined to just doing bathrooms!
Would love to do something like it but I'm now too old for an apprenticeship and too skint to go back and re train. Its well worth thinking about.

[epo]

Its not just that course. You've also gotta become Corgi registered before you can start earning the money. Its all about gas regs and the like otherwise your consined to just doing bathrooms!
Would love to do something like it but I'm now too old for an apprenticeship and too skint to go back and re train. Its well worth thinking about.

aslong as the companys corgi regestered i thought you'd be ok

[dandan]

Unfortunately not. Its the individual who has to pass the course. Its not just a case of attending the course and thats it, you've got your ticket. My mate failed 3 times before he passed and it was something like ?500 a pop. Just because a co is registered doesnt mean the workman is and he isnt all work with gas is considered, well, iffy!

[Nick]

exactly, do the qualifications properly, you'l get paid alot more, and get better jobs.

do a half-assed bodged approach and you'l never get anywhere .

As i said, we have the list of all the registered tradesmen in our area with their qualifications, its unbeliveable to see just how little there are due to their being alot of "bogus" outfits.

[epo]

Unfortunately not. Its the individual who has to pass the course. Its not just a case of attending the course and thats it, you've got your ticket. My mate failed 3 times before he passed and it was something like ?500 a pop. Just because a co is registered doesnt mean the workman is and he isnt all work with gas is considered, well, iffy!

ahright its different for sparks as my company is regestered with nic and eca
but we dont have to be just have to go on a course to enable us to sign test certificates

[NovaloadedAgain]

Since I done some major research, it is 4.5k! I have found out its a con. The building trade Training ombudsman is on to them apparently!

[Nick]

good research lol

There is currently a demand for skilled tradesmen (that's why the plan to start doing it in secondary shcools e.t.c) so it's a good time to get trained as you will no doubt reap the benefits once you've qualified

[scott.parker]

Huh shame there dont seam to much f-ing local work though at the mo,it's just dryed right up,and gone dead..

[epo]

plenty up here mate :wink:

[scott.parker]

Yeah i know there is a load down in devon,im tempted to go do a stop away as there is massive hours to be had,been told around ?900 a week,just need to make my minde up now :roll:

Scott

[epo]

well if you want my opinion mate id go get it in while you can your a single lad no ties or commitments
lol i do it for ?900 a week in fact sod it ill go down with you alls ill have to do is nail a few bits of wood together right :wink: :lol: :lol: (joke)

[scott.parker]

well if you want my opinion mate id go get it in while you can your a single lad no ties or commitments
lol i do it for ?900 a week in fact sod it ill go down with you alls ill have to do is nail a few bits of wood together right :wink: :lol: :lol: (joke)

LOL not even that,it's a B&Q whear house,new build your only aloud do sertain things due to law's etc,(as im sure you know)
you wont actualy work big big hours,at the most 70,but get payed for90-100 hrs,but i have to thingk about money for diggs,and food i recon that could come to about ?150-?180 a week,and that out my owne pocket before i see any money back..god im not sure what to do now,as the job is ment to be for 10-12 week,just think how much i could earn :o ...err shell i/sharnt i? lol :roll:

Scott

[epo]

ah right forgot about the digs as ares are all paid for by the company