have these so called plumbers damaged the industry,a straight YES or NO answers only,i have heard all the arguements ,some are genuine,hard working,good etc.it would be interesting aswell if you stated if you are an apprentice, qualified n.v.q level 2 & 3, or a fast tracker. my answer :YES. qualified level 3, through an apprenticeship
Welcome to the forum. Although you can post in any forum, the USA forum is here in case of local regs or laws
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Essex Fitters
level 2... still learning daily!
I believe there's two types of plumbers 'Juniors' & 'Master' and to become a master plumber is a life time goal and doesn't come easy
You cant learn much in two weeks, can you?
My father is a retired bricklayer, he done a 5yr apprenticeship, He spent last 10yrs of his working life fixing other peoples mistake (He still is in shock now about what people think they can do)....... One guy done a job for his neighbour (an extension) and it was hardly up! Any way the guy done a 5 week evening cause and had a ticket to do that kind of work!
I believe there's two types of plumbers 'Juniors' & 'Master' and to become a master plumber is a life time goal and doesn't come easy
You cant learn much in two weeks, can you?
My father is a retired bricklayer, he done a 5yr apprenticeship, He spent last 10yrs of his working life fixing other peoples mistake (He still is in shock now about what people think they can do)....... One guy done a job for his neighbour (an extension) and it was hardly up! Any way the guy done a 5 week evening cause and had a ticket to do that kind of work!
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fuzzy
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PlumbBobBob
Yes I have to agree that eduction has been replaced with training.
We all need refreshing on current Regs etc and that is what training is there for
but it is not proper to extend a training course by a few weeks to try and educate folk
We all need refreshing on current Regs etc and that is what training is there for
but it is not proper to extend a training course by a few weeks to try and educate folk
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dontknowitall
I must admit I'm fairly ignorant of many building regulations and have to try and use common sense when required.*
An example happened today: I was instructed by the customer to create a new hot and cold water supply to a different part of the house. Seems easy enough; just drill a few holes through the joists, push some pipe in and fill it with water.
BUT, the joists had already had holes drilled through for central heating under one floor board (four holes for this due to the radiator placings) and there was another hefty notch for all the cables. I decided it would be better to lift another board to place the hot and cold supply.
How much are you allowed to remove? There are measurements for where you can cut holes/notches and how big depending on the size of joist. There was also a brick in the way. Could I remove the brick or should I notch instead? I'd no idea what to do. So I guessed.
Luckily for me, an experienced electrician was also there so after I'd had a good think I asked him and he told me that in this instance I could remove the brick and then told me where to drill the holes to ensure all was safe.
However, if he wasn't there I'd have guessed and tried to use common sense (in this case I'd have done what he suggested as it happens.) It does concern me that I've been let loose to dig up peoples' houses without PROPER teaching. So far I don't think I've been dangerous but I don't know for 100% sure. I'm also lucky that I'm not too proud or frightened to ask more experience tradesmen for help and advice and view this as common sense.
* Perhaps I'm too hard on myself as I'm very self critical in what I do, including things like how neatly I've soldered and how tidy I am when working.
An example happened today: I was instructed by the customer to create a new hot and cold water supply to a different part of the house. Seems easy enough; just drill a few holes through the joists, push some pipe in and fill it with water.
BUT, the joists had already had holes drilled through for central heating under one floor board (four holes for this due to the radiator placings) and there was another hefty notch for all the cables. I decided it would be better to lift another board to place the hot and cold supply.
How much are you allowed to remove? There are measurements for where you can cut holes/notches and how big depending on the size of joist. There was also a brick in the way. Could I remove the brick or should I notch instead? I'd no idea what to do. So I guessed.
Luckily for me, an experienced electrician was also there so after I'd had a good think I asked him and he told me that in this instance I could remove the brick and then told me where to drill the holes to ensure all was safe.
However, if he wasn't there I'd have guessed and tried to use common sense (in this case I'd have done what he suggested as it happens.) It does concern me that I've been let loose to dig up peoples' houses without PROPER teaching. So far I don't think I've been dangerous but I don't know for 100% sure. I'm also lucky that I'm not too proud or frightened to ask more experience tradesmen for help and advice and view this as common sense.
* Perhaps I'm too hard on myself as I'm very self critical in what I do, including things like how neatly I've soldered and how tidy I am when working.
yes - some have damaged the trade and at the same time no. ive worked with a few fast trackers some have been really bad one or two have been pretty good,
im not apprentice trained although i have my level 2 plus my domestic gas quals and lpg.
did them all part time whilst working with a time served plumber, he set me loose on a new build after only 6 months. turned up at the job i got out he handed me some tools and materials and said, do the 1st fix for the rads, ill pick you up at 5. i was shaking when he buggered off, but ive now been in the trade 5 years ish, have one builder i work with who is 25years time served and he has told me im one of the best hes seen.
i think it depends on the person doing the course, one fella could have a habbit of bodging things whereas another person could be in the mind set of perfect is the only thing acceptable. when i was doing my courses i met some right idiots that were already trading as self employed. one of them couldnt solder a joint that was water tight.
in all honesty its down to the person doing the course, he has to have the right mental attitude aswell as the skills.
im not apprentice trained although i have my level 2 plus my domestic gas quals and lpg.
did them all part time whilst working with a time served plumber, he set me loose on a new build after only 6 months. turned up at the job i got out he handed me some tools and materials and said, do the 1st fix for the rads, ill pick you up at 5. i was shaking when he buggered off, but ive now been in the trade 5 years ish, have one builder i work with who is 25years time served and he has told me im one of the best hes seen.
i think it depends on the person doing the course, one fella could have a habbit of bodging things whereas another person could be in the mind set of perfect is the only thing acceptable. when i was doing my courses i met some right idiots that were already trading as self employed. one of them couldnt solder a joint that was water tight.
in all honesty its down to the person doing the course, he has to have the right mental attitude aswell as the skills.
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PLUMB-KING
The theory side of plumbing/heating is easy to learn & understand,putting it into practice it a totally different thing.
To be qualified in two/three years,I would say yes in theory only,but in practically speaking ( doing the job ) my answer is no not in two weeks!!
To be qualified in two/three years,I would say yes in theory only,but in practically speaking ( doing the job ) my answer is no not in two weeks!!
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tamz
I'd have to say, in the main yes.
Serving your time is not only about learning how to be a plumber or how to pass an exam. It is about learning a whole multi trade skill set which is (or never has been) taught in a classroom.
1st year apprentice (quick learner)😉
Btw
I had a right mental attitude when i was younger (especially on the sites and renovations) but the fuse takes longer to burn as i get older.
Serving your time is not only about learning how to be a plumber or how to pass an exam. It is about learning a whole multi trade skill set which is (or never has been) taught in a classroom.
1st year apprentice (quick learner)😉
Btw
I had a right mental attitude when i was younger (especially on the sites and renovations) but the fuse takes longer to burn as i get older.
Course you're not qualified to call yourself a plumber after 2 weeks. Silly question really. Or 2 months, or two years.
In the US you have journeymen and master tradesmen, I don't know if they have a grey are in between, or if they wake up one day and they're no longer a journeyman but a master!?
Anyway in this business you never stop learning, the minute you think you know it all, Karma will come and bite you on the ars*.
But after TWO poxy weeks, I wouldn't let you change the water on my kids goldfish, let alone come swinging in my home with a wrench and a blow torch. Yeeehaaa!
Abridged: Yes - NVQ Lvl 2 - plus various gas qualifications, solar, ground & air source, unvented, few other random quals too. Served my aprentice time working for time served plumber/heating engineer (my darling father!)
In the US you have journeymen and master tradesmen, I don't know if they have a grey are in between, or if they wake up one day and they're no longer a journeyman but a master!?
Anyway in this business you never stop learning, the minute you think you know it all, Karma will come and bite you on the ars*.
But after TWO poxy weeks, I wouldn't let you change the water on my kids goldfish, let alone come swinging in my home with a wrench and a blow torch. Yeeehaaa!
Abridged: Yes - NVQ Lvl 2 - plus various gas qualifications, solar, ground & air source, unvented, few other random quals too. Served my aprentice time working for time served plumber/heating engineer (my darling father!)
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kirkgas
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tiling spread
Im a plasterer 8 years in too the trade this year and im still lerning each day.
i spent years working hard with a plasterer kepted my nose clean and head down studied
started as a tea boy.
and some of the work iv seen from the TWO week courseers well im still going.
i still get thrown back now and then as I bet some of you plumbers do
well after i failed my induction test the uther week (for my plumbing course)
im getting my nut down and getting on with it as i have one more chance at it.
well when i put my tattoo gun away LOL
im in the plumbing game for the long run and im going too do it TOO
i spent years working hard with a plasterer kepted my nose clean and head down studied
started as a tea boy.
and some of the work iv seen from the TWO week courseers well im still going.
i still get thrown back now and then as I bet some of you plumbers do
well after i failed my induction test the uther week (for my plumbing course)
im getting my nut down and getting on with it as i have one more chance at it.
well when i put my tattoo gun away LOL
im in the plumbing game for the long run and im going too do it TOO
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tamz
I actually got 3 distinctions for that (still pride of place in a frame in my ma's front room alongside the 3 inter collage shields lol).
1st ever in the collage. Fk knows how cos i never read a book or carried a pencil until my time was out😛
Think i just had a good memory and a major hunger to make cash (married at 18).
1st solo heating job at 17 making twice the money of most by 19 (with a day off for collage)
Went to collage until i was 24 -5 because i liked a 4 day week and had a desire to learn🙂😀
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kirkgas
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Harveys1
Yes they are damaging the industry
I have been an employer of over 10 staff for over 15 yrs and in our 30yr of trading and have always had 1 or 2 aprenrances at a time and still do.
They I am gad to say have all been a credit to me but I employed them for 1 yr before putting them into collage then after thier time I upgraded them to a plumber improver although some moan then 1yr later to a plumber
They need the exeriance, there is no classroom that can replace hands on
The classroom is great but only alongside the hands on
I have been an employer of over 10 staff for over 15 yrs and in our 30yr of trading and have always had 1 or 2 aprenrances at a time and still do.
They I am gad to say have all been a credit to me but I employed them for 1 yr before putting them into collage then after thier time I upgraded them to a plumber improver although some moan then 1yr later to a plumber
They need the exeriance, there is no classroom that can replace hands on
The classroom is great but only alongside the hands on
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kay-jay
yes - but only some of them! as said before it depends on the individual. i was a fast tracker😱 but i wasn't about to let anything get in the way of achieving my goals. i have nvq 2 and 3 and unvented ticket and i'm now self employed. i know there is no substitute for experience and i recognise that there are gaps in my skill set but i know what my limitations are and certainly won't undertake any work that i'm not competent to do.
i suppose i'm one of the lucky ones because i work one day a week with a time served plumber and heating engineer and i'm builing my portfolio of gas work experience ahead of the acs. this also gives me the opportunity to take on bigger and more complicated jobs myself as i can get advice and assistance when required.
i would have preferred the traditional apprentice route but it wasn't an option for me. i am however getting the required experience albeit quite slowly.
KJ
i suppose i'm one of the lucky ones because i work one day a week with a time served plumber and heating engineer and i'm builing my portfolio of gas work experience ahead of the acs. this also gives me the opportunity to take on bigger and more complicated jobs myself as i can get advice and assistance when required.
i would have preferred the traditional apprentice route but it wasn't an option for me. i am however getting the required experience albeit quite slowly.
KJ
YES - through apprenticeship and gas qualified learned my trade at a good company with some good tradesmen who taught me alot of stuff mostly worked on commercial though, now I'm out on my own mostly the domestic market n its a all new so needing to read up on regs etc so I'm out of my comfort zone basically but the money is better and I'm competent so all's good 🙂 I believe we don't get payed enough for the work you do when you work for a company so that's why I went self employed.
I know that I am still inexperienced but I know alot of good plumbers so any big jobs I get like heating systems etc I can get someone in to help me who is more experienced.
I know that I am still inexperienced but I know alot of good plumbers so any big jobs I get like heating systems etc I can get someone in to help me who is more experienced.
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tamz
ive noticed a sharp drop of in small jobs over the last year which i atribute to the rise of plumbing insurance scemes to get these jobs covered as cheap as possible these companies will take on anyone who has the right qualifications as this will cover them for liabilty
as they only pay on completed jobs and the guys have to go back if its wrong they dont care what their skill levels are
unfortunatly this is a world of box ticking
ive heard through the grape vine some of these companies pay as little as 25 quid a call ,pot luck if you get a 5 min or 2 hour job
as they only pay on completed jobs and the guys have to go back if its wrong they dont care what their skill levels are
unfortunatly this is a world of box ticking
ive heard through the grape vine some of these companies pay as little as 25 quid a call ,pot luck if you get a 5 min or 2 hour job
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fuzzy
i wouldnt say it was easy to understand. its easy to learn a minimum and then go out and make a mess
think there is 2 types of people, people who take pride in their work and admire there work after they have finished it, wanting to better themselfs and the others who are only interested in the wage at the end of the week
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fuzzy
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Resolute
I'm one of the 445 who viewed and didn't respond. Mainly because I couldn't answer yes or no! I still class myself as a trainee even though I'm level 2 qualified. The reason for that is I've not been plumbing for long, therefore i dont have a vast amount of experience and keep coming across problems that I need help to resolve (hence the reason I'm on here so much). However there are a great many who feel that once they have the tech cert they have enough knowledge to tackle all jobs. In essence I think it's all down to people not being able to identify their own skill levels that has caused the problems, the reasons behind that is also debatable and probably linked to fast track courses.
Hope the above makes sense!
in plumbing you have to make a commitment to life long learning,when you say level 2 is that n.v.q. and are you doing an apprenticeship
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Resolute
My level 2 is an NVQ, I'm not in an apprenticeship at the moment but I do want to try and get with a bigger company with training or with an experienced plumber to teach me further. Don't get me wrong I wasn't disagreeing with your earlier post or defending fast tracks just trying to explain why I didn't post yes or no!
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kirkgas
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Plum Bob 66
Hi There
Just browsing and came across this sight. I guess you could say I was one of those fast trackers.Did the 16 month course with NCS, Doncaster & Southampton, passed my water regs & 6128 unvented. lets face it these are only pieces of paper and by no means make up for practical/time served on the job experience. I would have loved to have been able to do an aprenticeship but I was forced into a change of career later on in life.
I took the leap and went self emplyed just over a year ago and every day Im aware of how much I have to learn. My business revolves arround me getting it right, because, lets face it call backs are no good for your reputation and your profit. Pride in my work is paramount, and if I have to re do something because I got it wrong first time then so be it. Conseqauntly I have had quite a few referrals from satisified customers who have recomended me to there friends, so it pays to do it well and get it right. Yes I follow the money, but I want to able to walk away satisfied the customer is happy with my work whilst following best practice.
Plum Bob
Just browsing and came across this sight. I guess you could say I was one of those fast trackers.Did the 16 month course with NCS, Doncaster & Southampton, passed my water regs & 6128 unvented. lets face it these are only pieces of paper and by no means make up for practical/time served on the job experience. I would have loved to have been able to do an aprenticeship but I was forced into a change of career later on in life.
I took the leap and went self emplyed just over a year ago and every day Im aware of how much I have to learn. My business revolves arround me getting it right, because, lets face it call backs are no good for your reputation and your profit. Pride in my work is paramount, and if I have to re do something because I got it wrong first time then so be it. Conseqauntly I have had quite a few referrals from satisified customers who have recomended me to there friends, so it pays to do it well and get it right. Yes I follow the money, but I want to able to walk away satisfied the customer is happy with my work whilst following best practice.
Plum Bob
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dontknowitall
That's exactly how I operate, Plum Bob. I've been lucky to have met up with a more experienced plumber and we now work together from time to time. I pick up jobs and want his expertise or nowdays another pair of hands and he has lots of customers and starts drowning so asks me to give him a hand.
Great experience for me but for him I've been useful because I knew the basics and so he teaches me the more interesting parts. (One example recently was a huge boiler not getting heat to some radiators.)
I've now improved to the stage where last week he even took me up on a tip!!
Great experience for me but for him I've been useful because I knew the basics and so he teaches me the more interesting parts. (One example recently was a huge boiler not getting heat to some radiators.)
I've now improved to the stage where last week he even took me up on a tip!!
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Plum Bob 66
its good to have more experienced guys to fall back on, I worked for a large firm so aren't short of phone numbers for advice or if I need a hand, If I got a job which I wasn't comfortable doing myself I'd probably get another experienced guy in to help with me. Also picking up some stuff on this site which is great.
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Resolute
One of the things I like about plumbing is the constant challenges though. Every job has it's own unique set of difficulties - at least to a newby!
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tamz
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ecowarm
Yes
I started in 1978 a full apprenticeship and got C&G advanced craft in Plumbing.
Working yesterday with my new apprentice, and just before we turned the water back on I said "have you double checked all your fittings are soldered or tightened" ......... Yes he replied, so I got him to turn on the water, we got a leak............... a compression nut I forgot to tighten!
He got the blame though........ I said he should have checked mine too. 🙂
I started in 1978 a full apprenticeship and got C&G advanced craft in Plumbing.
Working yesterday with my new apprentice, and just before we turned the water back on I said "have you double checked all your fittings are soldered or tightened" ......... Yes he replied, so I got him to turn on the water, we got a leak............... a compression nut I forgot to tighten!
He got the blame though........ I said he should have checked mine too. 🙂
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tamz
Quite right😉 It is all part of his training and part of his learning curve. He was told to check it and didn't😀
Hope you gave him a slap too😀😀
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ecowarm
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ecowarm
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tamz
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tamz
Thats the main difference between serving your time working with other tradesmen and going alone. When you serve your time you make a million mistakes and learn from them but there is always someone there to fix it and keep you right (as Eco's boy did today😀).You learn to deal with your mistakes and not make them again.
Even when your time is out or you get sent to do things on your own, unless it is jobbing stuff, someone has had a look at it and explains exactly how it should be done. If you get stuck you always have someone to help you and for the first while you are checked while the job is in progress until you are trusted. Then you meet others through your working life and no matter what you need to know you have some one to ask for their opinion
Career changers or fast trackers mostly will never have that. Bit like jumping off a cliff to learn to swim. For the few who may make it most will not.
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tamz
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Resolute
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fuzzy
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tamz
its a hard industry to go into alone with no one to turn to, especially the gas/heating side of things
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Resolute
Especially when it all goes wrong!
From a personal point of view I recognise all of the above which is why I want to work with someone or in a company for a while. However looking at the job Market if I don't get something within the next 3 or 4 months I'll be forced into the self employed route like others.
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Plum Bob 66
The rest are on the way along with the part P or is that not an electrical qaulification. I presented my case and quite frankly you cant tar every body with the same brush, I take pride in my work and as such am doing ok amongst my peers.Yes, I have made my fair share of mistakes but never to the detriment of my customers.
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Plum Bob 66
That is what I am doing and it comes with a qaulification otherwise I wouldnt be doing it if was of no value.
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PlumbBobBob
it is only of value if you use it. after spending upwards of £500 on a tester and then join a recognised scheme at upwards of £400 pa to sign off your own work them you will be able to use it to it's full extent.
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Plum Bob 66
Agreed steve, but isnt that the whole point of doing the qaulification to sign off your own work. At present I buddy up with a mate who has his part P defined scope.Say as an example a customer requires an electric shower fitting I do the plumbing he does the electrics to the unit. I would like to be competent and qaulified to do the whole fit and commision.
Bob
Bob
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fagsanbooz
Why does everyone seem to keep harping on about 'LEVEL 2', this is only a 'base' qualification! All 'Plumbers should endevour to complete 'LEVEL 3' or 'Advanced Craft' as in my old one. Why don't so called 'trainees' do the LEVEL 3? Too hard? Don't want anymore studying? Want to do something a bit quicker and 'easier'? All prof bodies state Level 3 should what all 'PLUMBERS' achieve and I agree, but, as far as I'm concerned you MUST be on the tools whilst doing them to call yourself a PLUMBER. Sorry to sound like a 'gumpy' but I really can't see how you can without both!!!!!!! Wouldn't call yourself a 'car mechanic' if you'd never worked in a garage with other experienced mechanics for a decent period of time, would you? Oh yes Mr Bloggs, were going to service your nice expensive car with a bloke who's done a few weeks training!!!! Yeah alright!!!
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moony
nvq level 2 and level 3 in heating and vent - time served with a plumber and kitchen fitter who was gas safe reg - starting a bsc in building studies (construction management) in sept. do i think they have ruined the trade yes but not there fault - most are decent lads trying to get a decent career.
as said before also a qualification doesnt mean your a good tradesman i know alot of guys been in the game for 15+ years and weren't really any good mainly because either a/ they were not interested anymore and b/ they'r dumb
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Resolute
I don't look at level 2 as being fully qualified, far from it. However it does show that you've a basic qualification. As to being fully qualified - I doubt many are as there are so many avenues to explore within plumbing and you be hard pushed to be qualified in all of them.
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tamz
You will undoubtedly have a ceiling down at some time😉
No, but it still needs signed off.
Agree with this 100%. Level 3 is the minimum recognised qual in Scotland. Think it is more about the money tho hence so many tech cert only "plumbers" who will never be employable🙁
If they had been at it for 15+ years you can be sure they "know" more than they let on.
Some guys just need led tho.
This is not really correct. It's an age thing.
The time however is undoubtedly coming when the trade will be split into sections like gas. More money for the so called "training" establishments.
ok well I've got a question for you tamz regarding the signing off of electrics, my mates a sparky but works for another firm but is self employed, if I gave him some sparky work would he be able to sign it off ?
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Plum Bob 66
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kirkgas
ok lets take a step further, why didnt you study and achieve technician Level, too hard for you? if some guys get level 2 then work damn hard and learn tons by doing it to make a wee life for their families what are they doing wrong, a lot of jobs we do now dont require technician or advanced level, nothing gets fixed now all things just get binned and renewed like for like, and these days how many people are required to design a full install of 20 whbs and wc's over 4 levels
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tamz
If he is a member of Select he can self cert. Otherwise he needs to go the building control route. In reality i doesn't happen
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tamz
Do it long enough and it happens to everyone at some point.
The plumber who says he has never has a leak come through a ceiling is a liar.😀
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tamz
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kirkgas
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tamz
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REDSAW
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Resolute
I appreciate and fully agree that time is the biggest teacher and there's no substitute for experience but there is definitely certain specialised areas in plumbing.
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tamz
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tamz
My first teenage fantasies were about a Marlon. Next door neighbour, probably about 25, with some set on her😀
I digress lol
you couldnt have completed the test pieces we had to do for a craft cert in 2weeks i only just finished them all in 3 years of day release and lots didnt
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Resolute
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REDSAW
i agree, this is where i am.
started in '77' on apprenticeship got sacked by my uncle.lol.
later did the nvq 2 & tech 3 and thought why do i need system planning for large projects, buisness planning, stock ordering?. unless i wanted a job in the offfice.
nvq 3 dont make you a better plumber than a nvq 2,
experience does.imo.
also, i disagree that a nvq 2 is a basic level and nvq 3 advanced, as your what the o.p is saying that there is no intermediate level. now c&g 2&3 i would say is a basic level off plumbing knowledge but not skill.imo.
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tamz
The hardest thing about "renewables" is the spelling.
If you go into industrial it is actually easier. It is all designed for you and you just do your job. Fit pipes from A to B. All pretty basic principles on a bigger scale with no worries.
If you want to get into design, technician level (or whatever it is called these days) gives you the basics but you need to go for a minimum HNC or degree. It is mainly maths and can be extremely boring unless you like algebra.
Nothing much new in those routes. That has always been the way.
If you go into industrial it is actually easier. It is all designed for you and you just do your job. Fit pipes from A to B. All pretty basic principles on a bigger scale with no worries.
If you want to get into design, technician level (or whatever it is called these days) gives you the basics but you need to go for a minimum HNC or degree. It is mainly maths and can be extremely boring unless you like algebra.
Nothing much new in those routes. That has always been the way.
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fuzzy
C&G call it basic and advanced. if you have the advanced you have more knowledge and skills
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Plum Bob 66
Lol, never had a leak come through a roof, your right on there tamz. Last year it did happen to me.Forgot to tighten up a compression fitting on a trv. Went to refill the system and heard this gushing noise upstairs. Ive never moved so quick. Fortunately got it dried out with no dmage done, but it was a lesson learnt, check and check again if not sure.
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fagsanbooz
Yeah, tried, but firm said at time I had to do at least a minimum of 3 years post gaining my advanced (JIB grading stated you had to do 2 years after apprenticeship to be considered 'advanced') before they would consider 'technician' level as this was only for the ones identified as 'supervision material'.
About 6 or 7 from my class done it but hey were mostly council plumbers.
Not at all having a go at them but the attitude in the whole industry itself. This is not just confined to 'fast trackers' but others in trade as well. People should be encouraged by others in trade, good colleges and the government funding the courses properly.
Anyway, on the NVQ 3 front, spoke to couple of college lecturers friends of mine today and got this approximate info below about the current NVQ3 course.
Time on course 1 to 1.5 year this is going to college 1 day per week 9-5 etc.
40% is just 'Gas', content is the same as ccn1 and the appliances elements
25% is Central Heating and most of it is all domestic sealed and vented systems, Part L stuff, wiring s & y plans, boilers and so on.
15% is Unvented systems with quite a bit of practical
10-15% is water regs and cold and hot water
Only a small amount of soils, wastes and drains etc
10% is 'planning' but most of that was calculating rads, boilers, heating loads, expansion vessels, building regs, specifying controls to part L, pipe sizes etc
Seemed a really good course to me, with really up to date stuff, cannot think why some 'duck out' and apparently the new nvq will have gas and renewables as part of it.
D
Dormouse
Hi, first post, be gentle....
I am new to the industry & a 'fast tracker'😎, I've just spent the last 8 months doing a Gas ACS, CPA1, Energy Efficiency (Part L) a week at Baxi Main Potterton & days at Vokera, Vaillant, Viessmann, Glow Worm, Honeywell etc. I'm in the process of starting an NVQ2 at college to learn the water side.
Reading the last post regarding the NVQ Level 3, the only thing I'm missing is the water regs, soils & unvented!!
Have I done them the wrong way round? 😕
I am new to the industry & a 'fast tracker'😎, I've just spent the last 8 months doing a Gas ACS, CPA1, Energy Efficiency (Part L) a week at Baxi Main Potterton & days at Vokera, Vaillant, Viessmann, Glow Worm, Honeywell etc. I'm in the process of starting an NVQ2 at college to learn the water side.
Reading the last post regarding the NVQ Level 3, the only thing I'm missing is the water regs, soils & unvented!!
Have I done them the wrong way round? 😕
D
Dormouse
ha ha.... no not quite... I have a background in logistics & recruitment, HGV ADR (Gas cylinders, chemicals & tankers). Factor in that I've had to buy all of my tools & van for the first time, yeah, you could say it cost a few quid!!
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fuzzy
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Dotty
I wasnt being harsh...
Just interested. A lot of the guys I meet that have spent a lot on training and do things properly are ex IT engineers. Just an observation.
I have one working for me right now. He's a good guy.
Just interested. A lot of the guys I meet that have spent a lot on training and do things properly are ex IT engineers. Just an observation.
I have one working for me right now. He's a good guy.
D
Dormouse
I knew I should av used a smilie , it was a bit tongue in cheek Danny😉
THe IT guys I know could pass all the exams but wouldnt know which end of the spanner to use . ......stop it 😉
THe IT guys I know could pass all the exams but wouldnt know which end of the spanner to use . ......stop it 😉
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fuzzy
ring any of the elec bodies,ask them what you require to sign off minor work in a domestic setting,defined scope and full scope as i said not a qualification and not a requirement ,a knowledge of what your doing and 17th edition wiring regs is what they will ask for.
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fuzzy
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fuzzy
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tamz
So have i, just the once touch wood. Straight through, breaking a couple of ribs and a finger and various cuts and scrapes on the way.
Got the afternoon off work to get my finger in a splint, a couple of sticking plasters and told to swallow some paracetamols if i needed them😛
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fuzzy
yeh ive got the scars, long scar just to the side of my nipple, very painful
best one i had was working over a factory urinal, i went straight through as someone was taking a leak, he jumped through his skin!!!!!
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fuzzy
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tamz
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Guest123
These courses make a mockery of my 4 years both in college and on the job as a proper apprentice. No wonder many house holders are going down the DIY route as they're sh*t scared who'll come and work in their homes with all the inexperienced and cowboys out there claiming to be experts.
I don't touch electrics as I'm not trained or qualified, or major joinery work or large gas installations, even though I know how and have the skills to do these, yet in two weeks someone can claim to be a trained professional. I've been a plumber since 1982, but how is a house holder to know that over someone who'se been one for two weeks? It should be law that a qaulified trainee should have to do a further probationery period.
I don't touch electrics as I'm not trained or qualified, or major joinery work or large gas installations, even though I know how and have the skills to do these, yet in two weeks someone can claim to be a trained professional. I've been a plumber since 1982, but how is a house holder to know that over someone who'se been one for two weeks? It should be law that a qaulified trainee should have to do a further probationery period.
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