Is commercial plumbing a good move for a level 2 plumbing & heating diploma trained adult going through a career change?

[Illuminate]

I am currently going through a career change to be a plumbing and heating engineer. I have completed a year long plumbing and heating diploma level 2 at college and have signed up with a assessor at the college. It has been hard to find a placement as most plumbers either don't want the responsibility of somebody new to the trade or not have a full time apprenticeship, as I have three kids and a mortgage and so I am only limited to two days a week on apprenticeship work. I did however finally find someone but out of area but now they have stopped work due to fear of covid. In the mean time a commercial plumbing company have responded to me and offered me a interview to be a commercial plumber working 7.30am to 17.30 monday to friday and after training eventually supply a van etc. I'm yet to find out if they will let me do my nvq level 2 with them and obviously they will not be able to sign me off all my nvq 2, being a commercial plumbing company but I can get the other person to let me evidence bath install etc. I think that I would enjoy domestic plumbing more and eventually after years of experience want to venture on my own but as this opportunity has come up, I think it seems like a positive career development? Do you think it is a good idea?

 

[Scott_D]

What sort of work do they do?

 

[Illuminate]

What sort of work do they do?

They seem to do commercial work within hospitals and schools, doing the basics from minor repairs on plumbing appliances to installs and also plant room design and refurbishment

 

[Scott_D]

You will gain plumbing experience but if it’s not the type of work you want to do it may be going in the wrong direction.

 

[Illuminate]

You will gain plumbing experience but if it’s not the type of work you want to do it may be going in the wrong direction.

I know what you mean and appreciate the advice but it has seemed very hard to find any other opportunities and I am 31 years old and so I have still got years to develop my skills. The company has existed for over 20 years and so they are professional and have must have enough money to invest in their staff. I'm thinking that eventually they will pay for additional training for me such as for gas after working there a while.

 

[king of pipes]

I did commercial plumbing and heating all my early working career right into my late forties it brought my kids up and we had a decent standard of living, its hard graft long hours and the health and safety rules in place make it challenging at times, it's interesting varied work and you do get alot of job satisfaction from creating something from scratch, now the down side ? Your graft is making someone else wealthy, your constantly under pressure to get jobs done, it's dirty cold and often your working in dark damp cramped conditions early morning starts and late night finishes possibly on call for emergency call outs once a month . My advice stick with domestic plumbing get the experience under your belt advertise your services for small plumbing repairs ball valves, Syphon, taps, kitchen sinks, rad valves anything that can be done in a day or two it's the only way to learn by actually doing the job you will eventually grow in confidence and be able to move on to larger installation work . Best of luck Kop

 

[Illuminate]

I did commercial plumbing and heating all my early working career right into my late forties it brought my kids up and we had a decent standard of living, its hard graft long hours and the health and safety rules in place make it challenging at times, it's interesting varied work and you do get alot of job satisfaction from creating something from scratch, now the down side ? Your graft is making someone else wealthy, your constantly under pressure to get jobs done, it's dirty cold and often your working in dark damp cramped conditions early morning starts and late night finishes possibly on call for emergency call outs once a month . My advice stick with domestic plumbing get the experience under your belt advertise your services for small plumbing repairs ball valves, Syphon, taps, kitchen sinks, rad valves anything that can be done in a day or two it's the only way to learn by actually doing the job you will eventually grow in confidence and be able to move on to larger installation work . Best of luck Kop

Thanks for the advice, I was thinking to only do this temporary, for about a year to gain my confidence and be in a better position to become a domestic plumber afterwards. I am also hoping to get my nvq 2 signed off with them but obviously some of the parts I am aware that I will have to do with a domestic plumber on the odd weekend in the year I potentially plan to be there. I know what you mean about doing some basic self employed work to gain experience, I have been thinking this and to do it for family and family friends but since the covid situation this seems like it will be difficult & I have just been thinking that this commercial plumbing job may give me the confidence I need. Do you you still have the same opinion?

 

[Scott_D]

Go for the interview and get a better feel for it.
Do they know you have no onsite experience?

 

[Illuminate]

Go for the interview and get a better feel for it.
Do they know you have no onsite experience?

Thanks for your comments Scott, really appreciate it. They do, well I basically have no onsite experience as I only have 150hrs

 

[king of pipes]

Thanks for the advice, I was thinking to only do this temporary, for about a year to gain my confidence and be in a better position to become a domestic plumber afterwards. I am also hoping to get my nvq 2 signed off with them but obviously some of the parts I am aware that I will have to do with a domestic plumber on the odd weekend in the year I potentially plan to be there. I know what you mean about doing some basic self employed work to gain experience, I have been thinking this and to do it for family and family friends but since the covid situation this seems like it will be difficult & I have just been thinking that this commercial plumbing job may give me the confidence I need. Do you you still have the same opinion?

Only you can make that decision ,? you may be lucky and work with a good bunch who will show you the rope and get you trained up . Kop