27 year old female looking for apprenticeship

[Cath88]

hi my name is Catherine i live in wales and is currently doing my city & guilds level 2 in collage after 11 years in my current job i need a change for a more hands on job,
i am looking for somebody kind enough to take me on so i can do my nvq level 2 and gain on site experience, i have passed all my health and safety with distinction and regard myself as a very fast learner.

I have recently bought 99% of the tools i need to get going and also hold a clean driving licence, i know that in recent days its not as easy to get an opportunity for an apprenticeship but hopefully some one is willing to take a chance so i can show my ability to excel and develop within the trade

thanks for reading

cath

 

[jtsplumbing]

Hi Cath, well done for giving it ago , what was your last job ? you have picked something very difficult to get an apprenticeship in, there are no end of people trying for the same thing, and completion is fierce, What are you aiming to do ? Plumbing only ? gas work ? installation or repair work ? Have you approached any of the Boiler manufactures about working for them, training as a service engineer, Whatever you choose best of luck in your new career

 

[Unregistered]

I'm working in morrisons at the mo but need to challenge myself , hence the plumbing .
I don't really mind which sector of the trade I go down as eventually I want to be able to do the majority of it ...at the moment I have been concerntraiting on general plumbing and heating within my search .
I have also been lucky that family members have asked me to do little things like fix taps , install an outside tap and I have replaced a few isolation valves in my home so im fairly confident in ability to settle down and get where I need to get.

Thanks for the reply
Cath

 

[rpm]

Welcome to the forum Cath and good luck in your quest.

 

[jtsplumbing]

just remember that depending on what you decide to do some parts of the job can be physically challenging , lifting boilers & radiators being just two, in a lot of installation work it requires moving furniture etc. also to work in the plumbing trade requires a reasonable knowledge of other trades, working in allsorts of poor conditions is another part to consider , reading your first thread are you hoping to get into doing just new build work ? Not trying to put you off doing Plumbing ! but its not a glamour's job by any means, and nothing like doing the odd job for friends, doing new build no one has got the time to spend with you that you would need, Better to find a local Plumber that covers a range of work, you need to start learning the basic skills first, what you get shown in the classroom is nothing like what happens in the outside, very easy to destroy someone's property.

 

[Stanios]

Hi Cath!
You have an immense road ahead and you gotta make things as easy for yourself as you can.If I were you I would approach this from a slightly different angle..

I know few plumbers who employ an "office" person who deals with customers calls, emails some I know even go price up jobs and organise things. You could get yourself with a small firm and work from home or their office under this arrangement. Once they are interested in what you have to offer you can pursue your agenda by enrolling on a course, shadowing engineers etc. Here you have best of both worlds, pricing and dealing with customers is half of plumber's job already. By the time you are finished with your course you should be good to go.

This maybe sounds crazy to you but its just an examaple, think outside the box, there are lots of ways to get there!

 

[Cath88]

thanks for the advice , im not bothered about the lifting as i can lift as much as most males lol and as for the glamour that's just not me , i love to be in the thick of it , plus i love to be thrown in at the deep end because sometimes that's the best way to learn.

thanks
cath

 

[rpm]

Cath reminds me of Toggles, anyone know if she is still around?

 

[Masood]

Welcome to the forum and good luck Catherine.

 

[lame plumber]

typical bunch of blokes comments.You never know she might be 6 foot and put most of you to shame in the muscle front, good on yer girl, give it a go, there is plenty of folk out there who would rather have a woman working for them than some scruffy bloke 🙂

 

[jtsplumbing]

typical bunch of blokes comments.You never know she might be 6 foot and put most of you to shame in the muscle front, good on yer girl, give it a go, there is plenty of folk out there who would rather have a woman working for them than some scruffy bloke 🙂

Is this your new chat-up line lame ? just cos she is 27 !!

 

[joni os]

Your enthusiasm and dedication (11 years in job) together with clean driving licence are assets an employer should not ignore. Unfortunately legislation supposed to help females, such as maternity rules, will make small companies reluctant to take you on. Target local companies with 10 or more employees as they can more easily comply with the rules.
Send in CV with covering letter and if you get a negative reply, respond with thanks asking them to keep you in mind should circumstances change. For those who don't respond, give it two weeks, then turn up in person, with CV and covering letter, on the assumption your original was mislaid. In all cases renew contact after three months to keep your details in their minds. I am sure you will be an asset to any future employer.

 

[Cath88]

Is this your new chat-up line lame ? just cos she is 27 !!

everyone got the right to window shop lol but don't mean you can afford or handle what your looking at 😀

 

[rpm]

everyone got the right to window shop lol but don't mean you can afford or handle what your looking at 😀

You even sound like Toggles lol, you sure you haven`t got a long lost sister? lol

 

[PlumbBobBob]

welcome to the forums Cath there are a few chaps on here from Wales one of them may be of some help to. stick around there's tons of useful info on here and some not so too lol.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Where you located Catherine

and surprised the little man hasn't popped his head in 😀

 

[markadams]

As Shaun says, which part of Wales do you live? Do you drive and have a clean license? Where do you want to take your career in the future? Gas, Oil, Water only etc?

Mark.

 

[rpm]

As Shaun says, which part of Wales do you live? Do you drive and have a clean license? Where do you want to take your career in the future? Gas, Oil, Water only etc? Mark.

C`mon Mark keep up, clean licence and 99% of own tools. Forgive you as it is Sunday and a day of rest. lol

 

[markadams]

Doh, as you say it is a Sunday, I wish it was a day of rest though, I am working 7 days at the moment.

 

[rpm]

Where you located Catherine

and surprised the little man hasn't popped his head in 😀

Yeah your right he hasn`t has he, probably teaching APP what all his new coloured buttons do. Figure I might have to go in to hibernation for awhile once APP gets the hang of it! lol

 

[Dotty]

I'm watching. Just making sure that none of you start banging on about bikinis.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I'm watching. Just making sure that none of you start banging on about bikinis.

inde est, ut a vobis in malum imaginem mankini

 

[rpm]

If she`s anything like Togs then she will give as good as she gets. lol

 

[Dotty]

inde est, ut a vobis in malum imaginem mankini

Antiquis temporibus, nati tibi similes in rupibus ventosissimis exponebantur ad necem.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Antiquis temporibus, nati tibi similes in rupibus ventosissimis exponebantur ad necem.

aut mittetur foras sicut quisquilias canibus neque mittatis sed numquam vel amatam

 

[Killy Bing]

good luck 🙂

don't worry too much about the physical side, with this game its your head that counts 90% of the time

the other 10% you can always get someone to lend a hand !!!

my little suggestion would be to market yourself to firms as you're happy to specialise in boiler services and repairs.

sharp learning curve to that and patience is key!
too many firms make their bread and butter on installs
they fail to capitalise if they offer the servicing and repairs as the jam ontop, they would bring in twice as much !!!

to get your foot in the door offer to work odd days for free to get experiance before they commit, its quite a daunting thing taking a trainee on, particularly an older one who will potentially be hard to mould

again, good luck !!!

 

[rpm]

You two know cath probably speaks welsh yer?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

You two know cath probably speaks welsh yer?

ei nid cymraeg mi hen mucca

 

[Dotty]

You two know cath probably speaks welsh yer?

Ceasar si viveret, ad remum dareri!

 

[Dotty]

good luck 🙂

don't worry too much about the physical side, with this game its your head that counts 90% of the time

the other 10% you can always get someone to lend a hand !!!

my little suggestion would be to market yourself to firms as you're happy to specialise in boiler services and repairs.

sharp learning curve to that and patience is key!
too many firms make their bread and butter on installs
they fail to capitalise if they offer the servicing and repairs as the jam ontop, they would bring in twice as much !!!

to get your foot in the door offer to work odd days for free to get experiance before they commit, its quite a daunting thing taking a trainee on, particularly an older one who will potentially be hard to mould

again, good luck !!!

Well hello stranger!

 

[rpm]

Came here to speak plumbing and things associated not welsh!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Came here to speak plumbing and things associated not welsh!

😀 its not welsh me old mucca

 

[rpm]

😀 its not welsh me old mucca

Well whatever it is it`s a load of muck!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Well whatever it is it`s a load of muck!

been spoken for many many years

 

[rpm]

been spoken for many many years

Really don`t care Shaun.

 

[Dotty]

Thousands, in fact.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Thousands, in fact.

well we all havent been around that long unlike some 🙂

 

[Cath88]

im based in barry

 

[Cath88]

As Shaun says, which part of Wales do you live? Do you drive and have a clean license? Where do you want to take your career in the future? Gas, Oil, Water only etc?

Mark.

i live in the vale of glamorgan ,i do i also have a clean licence and as far as direction goes the more i can learn the better i think

 

[Cath88]

If she`s anything like Togs then she will give as good as she gets. lol

a bit of banter is all good lol , and as far as bikini's go they dont float my boat im more shorts and t shirt

 

[markadams]

You are a bit far away from me but if I get anything your way I may be able to offer a little free work experience if that is of any interest. what is your availability like as it may be short notice.

 

[lame plumber]

good luck 🙂

don't worry too much about the physical side, with this game its your head that counts 90% of the time

the other 10% you can always get someone to lend a hand !!!

my little suggestion would be to market yourself to firms as you're happy to specialise in boiler services and repairs.

sharp learning curve to that and patience is key!
too many firms make their bread and butter on installs
they fail to capitalise if they offer the servicing and repairs as the jam ontop, they would bring in twice as much !!!

to get your foot in the door offer to work odd days for free to get experiance before they commit, its quite a daunting thing taking a trainee on, particularly an older one who will potentially be hard to mould

again, good luck !!!

will you stop giving away the best kept secrets of plumbing and heating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cath88]

i really appreciate that thank you i dont get much spare time with work and college but i would do my best to make myself available definately

 

[Cath88]

ei nid cymraeg mi hen mucca

havent got a clue what ur saying im english never been good at welsh lol

 

[Cath88]

You are a bit far away from me but if I get anything your way I may be able to offer a little free work experience if that is of any interest. what is your availability like as it may be short notice.

i really appreciate that thank you i dont get much spare time with work and college but i would do my best to make myself available definately

 

[oz-plumber]

I'm watching. Just making sure that none of you start banging on about bikinis.

Don't worry......we know our place.
We are fearful and learned members.

We would never steal your thunder!!!

 

[Killy Bing]

will you stop giving away the best kept secrets of plumbing and heating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you know full well i could scream it into the face of 80% of people and they still wouldn't listen XD

 

[oz-plumber]

Cath,

I wish you all the best in your endeavours.

If you can, head down the service side of things. It far easier on the body, generally more challenging and it pays far better than doing volume construction work.
( in most cases )

But saying that, get your foot in the door wherever you can.

 

[Cath88]

cant thank you all enough for the advice its very much appreciated

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

stop speaking welsh,i cant understand it,free holiday for shaun😛

 

[ShaunCorbs]

stop speaking welsh,i cant understand it,free holiday for shaun😛

am i going somewhere cold?

and extra special one for you gas man when the randoms come on

ei amser morthwyl : D

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

am i going somewhere cold?

and extra special one for you gas man when the randoms come on

ei amser morthwyl : D

worse,i am swapping croppie debt at the bar onto you,is it fluent welsh your end shaun?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

worse,i am swapping croppie debt at the bar onto you,is it fluent welsh your end shaun?

🙁 thought i was getting something for free (i do love a freebe) ,does that mean i need to carry him home onces hes had too many cokes? and not many people speak it locally

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

🙁 thought i was getting something for free (i do love a freebe) ,does that mean i need to carry him home onces hes had too many cokes? and not many people speak it locally

no he has a long,long,long standing tab he has not ever paid the git,same down here in the south,no one speaks it

 

[ShaunCorbs]

no he has a long,long,long standing tab he has not ever paid the git,same down here in the south,no one speaks it

its handy in the hills tho as not many speak english but most towns arnt even full a welsh any more all the english come for there free meds 😀

 

[Dotty]

no he has a long,long,long standing tab he has not ever paid the git,same down here in the south,no one speaks it

It's a vicious and scurrilous rumour.

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

It's a vicious and scurrilous rumour.

started by me and Lee😛rrr: god our smileys are rubbish

 

[ShaunCorbs]

started by me and Lee😛rrr: god our smileys are rubbish

:21:

:46:

 

[Killy Bing]

no he has a long,long,long standing tab he has not ever paid the git,same down here in the south,no one speaks it

my only experience of the welsh language was a group of idiots in a national merchants who wouldn't talk English to me and found it hilarious.

their twitter team went slightly into meltdown over the video.......

i got my cylinder free the next day and a load of Milwaukee goodies.....

 

[lame plumber]

no he has a long,long,long standing tab he has not ever paid the git,same down here in the south,no one speaks it

they all hop off the ferry over here gabbling away in some funny lingo, but that may just be due to excess alcohol intake on the way over

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

my only experience of the welsh language was a group of idiots in a national merchants who wouldn't talk English to me and found it hilarious.

their twitter team went slightly into meltdown over the video.......

i got my cylinder free the next day and a load of Milwaukee goodies.....

my patch is mainly cardiff and swansea,i cover bfm europes warranty work in SA postcode which sadly takes me west,i get a bit annoyed when they start speaking welsh around me as they know ,where i come from,i cant speak it,TBH i find it rude

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

they all hop off the ferry over here gabbling away in some funny lingo, but that may just be due to excess alcohol intake on the way over

that will be me on Saturday,off on the razzle with the other contractors we work with,we go twice a year,its normally a right laugh

 

[ShaunCorbs]

my patch is mainly cardiff and swansea,i cover bfm europes warranty work in SA postcode which sadly takes me west,i get a bit annoyed when they start speaking welsh around me as they know ,where i come from,i cant speak it,TBH i find it rude

😀 there prob testing to see if you know any welsh , and how much you going to charge me

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

😀 there prob testing to see if you know any welsh , and how much you going to charge me

its in warranty,they dont pay,bfm does

 

[ShaunCorbs]

its in warranty,they dont pay,bfm does

wounder if we can sweat talk him into servicing the boiler for free 😀

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

wounder if we can sweat talk him into servicing the boiler for free 😀

LOL,probably saying is he going to blame the installer and we get a £140 bill

 

[ShaunCorbs]

LOL,probably saying is he going to blame the installer and we get a £140 bill

😀 hope he doesnt take the fire out

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

😀 hope he doesnt take the fire out

found one with brown parcel tape used as prs10 and a 4 inch flue ffs ,Some idiots about

 

[ShaunCorbs]

found one with brown parcel tape used as prs10 and a 4 inch flue ffs ,Some idiots about

😀 what no paint/baby formula cans to outside

 

[Dsp]

Just to point out they were typing Latin not Welsh lol