Apprentice?? How?? Letter from God maybe....

[konimitsu]

Just had a reply from the umpteenth application but this time instead of just being sent on spec it was for an advertised apprentice plumber, so I think great an actual job, someone is looking for someone NOW....

So I get notified I have not even been shortlisted for an interview...great!!!!😡

I am 18 and have a full driving licence.🙂

Passed my NVQ 2 Plumbing.🙂

Passed my NVQ 2 Gas installation and maintenance.🙂

Passed my ACS exams and Gas Safe registered. 😀 😎

Have a place on a course for 1 day per week from september doing NVQ 3 Gas installation and maintenance.😎

I have pretty much done everything possible since leaving school 2 years ago to get qualifications that will help me to get an apprenticeship in plumbing and I cannot even get to interview stage.

It seems that there are hundreds of applications for every job and even though most are just applying for 'any' job that comes along but once a company gets 250 letters how do you knwo yours has even been read and checked, maybe they are so inundated they do a lucky dip??????😕

If I don't get a job soon no dount the government will have me looking for a new training course to become an electrician...keep busy and off the unemployed figures for a couple of years.

But I get sick and tired of hearing people knock the lazy youngsters in our country....

How are you supposed to get a job 😕

 

[justlead1]

Just keep trying. (If it were easy, every body would be one) What part of the Country are you looking at?

 

[konimitsu]

Well I know it is tough and tough everywhere and every trade but about time the government or someone did somethinG to help out....if it were the banking industry they would be bailing them out....maybe they should start making holes everywhere and give all plumbers a little work, lol....

I am in Liverpool but able to work many areas around the northwest. Always punctual, not shy of work and just really want to learn and do the job right and become a tradesman. I thought as there was no response from hundreds of letters at 16 that the best thing to do was get qualified while I could and make it easier to get an apprenticeship but unfortunately until now it has not made any difference.

Everyone I have worked with gives me glowing references but they just do not have the work to be able to give me an apprenticeship. I have gained some good experience but need a proper job.

GIS A JOB........SOMEONE.....

 

[dontknowitall]

Have you the backing to go self employed? Have you thought about it? By backing I mean funds and support from family, or girlfriend. Perhaps someone at your local business link can help out?

Backing is not purely finance. Perhaps you're not great at marketing but someone in your family might be.

I'm guessing you're around 19 years old. If you've thought about this route but not sure, don't be put off by your age. It only takes one or two oaps to mention to their friends that they've found this fantastic young plumber ... blah, blah, blah.

Also, if you're not too successful you should find yourself much more employable after say 6 months of trying and doing a few jobs off your own back and gaining experience.

Job hunting is exasperating, especially at the moment. Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[konimitsu]

Hi and thanks for your reply...

To be honest I am thinkinga few years apprentice before I decide to go and do anything alone. I do not have the experience or ability yet to be able to a paid job for somebody.

I have limited practical experience, obviously I have done site work and hands on stuff to be able to get my NVQ's and since I have worked with a couple of plumbers on a few jobs but I am looking to become an apprentice and want to learn the job properly so to speak from a time served tradesman. You hear of so many horro stories of people not qualified botching jobs but not me. Although I am gas safe etc I did the ACS exams to make myself more employable and my courses etc so that a future employer does not need to pay for it.....I would say the qualifications give me the knowledge and grounding to be safe and work to standards but I have limited actual experience of doing and seeing through actual full jobs.

Just have to keep applying and hope that one day my cv gets seen by the right person at the right time.....😱

 

[ecowarm]

some one will want you, just keep trying.

shame all teenagers don't have the same commitment.

and i agree with you, you do need experience, to many out there with the same qualifications as you thinking they can do it all with out the experience...... it will end in tears.



Eco

 

[traineedrip]

Your attitude is spot on mate. Keep up the effort.
the market isnt strong so theres little about, if you know some good plumbers cant you advertise for work yourself? you can always say no if its out of your limits, pass it on to a plumber and let them take the biggest slice on the condition you do it under their guidence.

or get some work in a merchants, youll be dealing with plumbers face to face daily and it`ll be easier to approach them as trade picks up. Not what you wanted but youll be earning and learning and youll soon notice which plumbers are busy and may need an apprentice.

I hope your luck improves, but dont take it to heart , as said theres little work out there at present but it`ll change. 🙂

I reckon a letter from poseidon might be more appropriate😉

 

[AbsolutePlumb]

You sound TOO qualified to be doing an apprenticeship
Try going for a job as a qualified plumber maybe

 

[konimitsu]

You sound TOO qualified to be doing an apprenticeship
Try going for a job as a qualified plumber maybe

I have not long turned 18, I have done all the qualifications I have been able to and my ACS but my experience is limited. To pass the NVQ's etc we must do so much on site work but it is limited and we may go and do certain parts of jobs rather than the full job from start to finish.

I think it is good what we learn but for me if it is to be done right you need to be with a time served plumber and I want to be a time served plumber rather than a qualified jobber (respectfully said) and safety and competence are paramount before I look for paid work and do jobs for the public. I am safe, I always will be but I woudl not say I was competent and I really want to learn the job the right way.

At 18 I have a long life ahead and I am determined I will get a start from somewhere but I am 100% looking for an apprenticeship and not a job as a qualified plumber......not yet...

Thanks for some great advice and the words of encouragement guys I appreciate it.

Jordan

 

[dontknowitall]

Hope I'm not being patronising but it's quite something to find an 18 year old who can spell and write proper English!!

It might be worth keeping a list of the names and addresses of those you're writing to at the moment and perhaps write again in a few months when some of the companies might be feeling rather more optimistic about the future. One day things will get better ... we hope ... it will ... honest!

 

[ferret]

You sound TOO qualified to be doing an apprenticeship
Try going for a job as a qualified plumber maybe

I agree you wont be much good as an apprentice because of the college work and you,ll be bored to tears , as you,ve already done it , instead you need to tout yourself as an improver maybe and try to find a job on a large ish firm assisting an engineer , i,m sure with your commitment and looking in the right places it won,t be long before you find somewhere to start from.🙂🙂 Good luck matey😉

 

[moony]

Hi and thanks for your reply...

To be honest I am thinkinga few years apprentice before I decide to go and do anything alone. I do not have the experience or ability yet to be able to a paid job for somebody.

so your nvq level 2 qualified - passed your acs and are gas safe registered yet you dont have experience or ability to do a paid job - either your not telling the full story matey or youve by-passed all the fundimental qualitys to gain your qualifications

 

[tamz]

so your nvq level 2 qualified - passed your acs and are gas safe registered yet you dont have experience or ability to do a paid job - either your not telling the full story matey or youve by-passed all the fundimental qualitys to gain your qualifications

Maybe just recognises his limitations. The trade is full of so called "qualified plumbers" who have no experience and very little knowledge of the job or skills required.

konimitsu

You are probably being overlooked for an apprenticeship as you are too qualified. I'm afraid, as far as an apprenticeship goes, you have done things the wrong way around for most employers.
Not your fault. You are only trying to better yourself.
It's the way the whole system seems to be run now. You used to get an apprenticeship, learn the trade and required skills then get your qualifications. Now the way seems to be get the qualifications then learn how to do the job and hopefully learn the skills without being shown.

Try looking for work as a plumbers mate. This is basically like a plumbers labourer and on the bigger jobs no one will expect you to know too much. They will help you. Try registering with some agencies.
Since you have a car drive around looking for any big construction jobs. Which if it is anything like here will be supermarkets, schools etc. Get the names of the mechanical contractors and try ringing them. It is usually quite hard to actually get on to the site to speak to someone but try anyway. Take a hard hat and a yellow vest. Also if you get to the jobs around break times, there is usually a snack bar there. Speak to the guys on site as they may be able to get you on to speak to someone.

Good luck.

 

[Dannypipe]

so your nvq level 2 qualified - passed your acs and are gas safe registered yet you dont have experience or ability to do a paid job - either your not telling the full story matey or youve by-passed all the fundimental qualitys to gain your qualifications

Just what I was thinking. You leave school at 16 and in under two years manage to achieve in qualifications what it took me a decade to acheive. Something doesn't stack up.

If you genuinely do have these qualifications and are registered with Gas Safe, it makes a mockery of our training centres.

 

[moony]

Maybe just recognises his limitations. The trade is full of so called "qualified plumbers" who have no experience and very little knowledge of the job or skills required.



Good luck.

no chance tamz pal - either hes confused about his qualifications or the qualfications i have got are worth nothing.

 

[Dannypipe]

no chance tamz pal - either hes lying about his qualifications or the qualfications i have got are worth nothing.

Sorry Tamz but I feel exactly the same way as q plumb.

 

[konimitsu]

Ok guys same old same old....

Some very good and encouraging replies and I thank you guys for your help.

As for the rest, the knockers do me a favour and get a life.....


dannyboy it is hardly my fault if it took you 10 years to get the quals now is it???

Guys do 6 weeks courses and call themselves plumbers...I have done 2 FULL TIME courses a year each an dpassed them then I have paid for my ACS exams and passed them in total about 2 years amnd 2 months...hardly my fault now is it????

Now I am looking for a apprenticeship for gods sake to learn the job PROPERLY and become a COMPETENT plumber and you people want to knock me for gods sake get a life......I do not have the ability to call myself a plumber and do profess to, I have the qualifications that eventually everyone will need and I have done it through college while I could nothing else, just wnat to do the job properly.

Yes I am 18 and yes I am going back to college in a few weeks as I am enrolled on NVQ 3 and eventually I will get a break from somewhere.

As for you two members I hope to god one day you need an apprentice and when you advertise you get exactly what you deserve, one of the drug riddled drunken scumbags that hang around the streets all day and night and apply for any job because the job centre tell them to because with your attitude it is all you deserve.....

 

[jammydodger]

i did'nt think you could get nvq2 without a company, also when i done my acs i had to have a portfolio showin work based experience. im only 25 n when i was in your position i offered to work for free on a trial.

 

[Dannypipe]

I needed a fat portfolio of gas work to sit my ACS. Off site and on Site. In other words, I had to work with a Gas engineer, in someones house. That was the only way my college would let me sit my ACS and CCN1 etc etc.

You seem to have bipassed this...and now you say you are registered with GS.

No need to get spiteful..no one has insulted you.

And yes, if you are trully GS registered I think it reflects badly on our training schemes. By law you can now come into my home and service my boiler (or anyone elses) but by your own admission, you wouldn't have a clue how to do it. Unbelievable.

 

[konimitsu]

Safety safety safety......

By my own admission I need to do a good few years learning the job PROPERLY... that is what I have said...I AM LOOKING FOR AN APPRENTICESHIP NOT TO WORK IN YOUR HOUSE.....READ MY POSTS .... I AM LOOKING FOR AN APPRENTICESHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did work on site studying, I have a portfolio of work, I do not think they just changed things for me. The site experience gained is enough for you to pass your exams and work safely. The main thing that you are taught 'in my opinion' is SAFETY and that should be paramount for everybody. I have passed my ACS and I am able to work SAFELY and I have since worked with plumbers / gas engineers for free and cheap to gain experience.

IT IS YOU GUYS WHO ATTACKED ME AND CALL ME A LIAR, YOU SO CALLED TIMESERVED TRADESMEN. MAYBE YOU NEED TO GIVE PEOPLE A BREAK WHO WANT TO LEARN A TRADE AND DO THE BEST THEY CAN. I HOPE I AM NEVER AS BITTER AS YOU AFTER 10 YEARS MATEY.

Is this your approach to all 18 yr olds looking to do something with their life???