Confused on what qualifications I need to get started

[fuzzy]

get the experience mate..experience is nothing anyone can learn to solder a bit of pipe, but when your out there on the field in sumones house by yourself...remember its all down to you!! to do your job.. no1 looking over your shoulder for you.. Experience=Competence!

i know where you are coming from but cannot agree. i know many experienced plumbers i wouldnt call competent

 

[fuzzy]

@Resolute
Yeah I imagine it's going be to tricky at times, but it will hopefully make me feel accomplished when I get it right 🙂

Was I right in my first post about what qualifications I need?

as tamz says you really need a job not the course, but without a job your only coice is a tech cert, the 6129 is outgoing but due to be replced. thats the best option but be warned it does not give you qual to call yourself a plumber. currently that is NOT POSSIBLE without a job

 

[Deleted member 25704]

People seem to think entering a trade requires the qualifications to get the job. I'm afraid it works the other way around as most find out.

Its a well made point tamz

 

[Joe0411]

not correct, the 6189 diploma is an NVQ

Oh right.. This is getting confusing :sad_smile:

The college near me says they do City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma is that something I should do to get started before I do the level 2 NVQ? Or do I have to start with the level 1 NVQ?

From what I've read the City & Guilds diplomas help you get the apprenticeship you require to study the NVQ..?

 

[Joe0411]

People seem to think entering a trade requires the qualifications to get the job. I'm afraid it works the other way around as most find out.

That all sounds how things should be but who's gonna take me on when I know nothing about plumbing? I need to get some knowledge of the trade before I begin or I wouldn't be able to do anything without constant help

 

[Deleted member 25704]

That all sounds how things should be but who's gonna take me on when I know nothing about plumbing? I need to get some knowledge of the trade before I begin or I wouldn't be able to do anything without constant help

I wonder what led to this belief? and it is a general belief that training is needed prior to apprenticeship - ask your tutors if they required a pre-apprenticeship course?

In PHAM news it was published that 50,000 apprentices had been processed through JTL in the last two decades. Given that JTL are just one training provider and the figures suggest an oversupply of time-served apprentices, it leaves little scope for those thinking there are any opportunities at all to be had in the plumbing industry.

Its no wonder that this was published in H&V news:

Jobs crisis threatens industry access | News | Heating and Ventilation News

I think this is just the start of the crisis unfolding in the plumbing industry and for apprenticeships generally.

 

[tamz]

I don't know if this misconception that to enter a trade you need some sort of pre qualification to get your foot in the door is being pushed by careers people and clueless teachers but it seems to be a general consensus among the ill informed. The reality is you don't. All you need is a half decent general education. You will then be taught all you need to know by the people you work for. Also like a lot of other jobs, who you know gets you further than what you know.

Good article Clanger, thanks. I hadn't read it.
The way things are going could see some trades return to the way it became in the 70's and 80's (specifically at the time with the trowel trades and joiners) with SC60's which killed apprenticeships for years as the tradesmen were all self employed and no youngsters got started.
Quite worrying.

 

[Joe0411]

I wonder what led to this belief?

The fact that I always get turned down to everything because of my lack of work experience. What am I gonna say on the phone to a plumber? Hey I'd like to start plumbing and I'd like to work with you. Okay what do you know about plumbing? Ermm... *hangs up*

You guys dont seem very happy with plumbing in general so now I don't know what to do with myself :/

 

[fuzzy]

Oh right.. This is getting confusing :sad_smile:

The college near me says they do City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma is that something I should do to get started before I do the level 2 NVQ? Or do I have to start with the level 1 NVQ?

From what I've read the City & Guilds diplomas help you get the apprenticeship you require to study the NVQ..?

there is no 6189 level 1? level 2 and 3 only

there is no level 1 nvq only bs2000

 

[fuzzy]

The fact that I always get turned down to everything because of my lack of work experience. What am I gonna say on the phone to a plumber? Hey I'd like to start plumbing and I'd like to work with you. Okay what do you know about plumbing? Ermm... *hangs up*

You guys dont seem very happy with plumbing in general so now I don't know what to do with myself :/

the only course you can get without being employed or working in the industry isnt enough to get you fully qualified. do you think they will put the phone down because you dont have a basic unqualified course behind you? obviously not, its because they dont want chancers, they want plumbers. a quick course isnt what you are missing it is employment

 

[Joe0411]

the only course you can get without being employed or working in the industry isnt enough to get you fully qualified. do you think they will put the phone down because you dont have a basic unqualified course behind you? obviously not, its because they dont want chancers, they want plumbers. a quick course isnt what you are missing it is employment

Right, so, do you think I should contact local plumbers and see if they want an extra hand?

 

[fuzzy]

Right, so, do you think I should contact local plumbers and see if they want an extra hand?

i really hope you can get something but ii fear you will really struggle, there just isnt the work, the market is flooded parden the pun with too many inexperienced plumbers with little or no qquals.

if its really what you want do the course but realise its not a ticket to employment, it may help but enter it with the right info

good luck

 

[tamz]

The fact that I always get turned down to everything because of my lack of work experience. What am I gonna say on the phone to a plumber? Hey I'd like to start plumbing and I'd like to work with you. Okay what do you know about plumbing? Ermm... *hangs up*

You could try this

[video=youtube;p2inSqo3Q3c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2inSqo3Q3c&feature=related[/video]

This was the way things were for some in the early 80's and is the way things are moving again.

 

[Deleted member 25704]

You guys dont seem very happy with plumbing in general so now I don't know what to do with myself :/

Joe, I don't think plumbers on here are trying to discourage you.

If you can't find a placement before training, what makes you think you will find one after spending £thousands on a course?

Good luck with your search for jobs - I would be inclined to take a look at your own family - are there any builders, electricians, etc - if so, get some work experience in construction labouring, this will bring you into contact with plumbers and other opportunities. You will also be able to say you have had some experience.

Note Ofsted, say that prior experience essential for apprenticeship:

Work experience essential for preparing next apprentices, says Ofsted | FE Week

 

[DCann-MacLean]

Aye, experience equals confidence, but it's hard to find someone who will take you under their wing and 'Teach' you PROPERLY once you have done your first training course. Choose your course provider very carefully, and with all respects keep away from New Career Skills. I done my City & Guilds 6128 and Water Regs with them. Only after your cash, avoid them. I am now looking to do the Aadvanced Plumber Course, possibly with OLCI ?. Does anyone know anything about them at all?. Hoping to then get Gas safe Registered. Thinking stage at the moment ????. Any advice is welcome guys. If you know someone in the Cambridgeshire, Southern Lincolnshire or Eastern Leicestershire way who would let me work with them for a few weeks to help me get my assessments done then that would be much appreciated. I am keen to learn anything else I can pick up on the way.

 

[DCann-MacLean]

OLCI Plumbing Courses & Plumbing Training 0800 058 2848

 

[FPCPlumb]

ye mate, i went with olci, college was an option alot of people said to me at the time i was deciding but it was impossible to get into. they ticked all the right boxes for me. ive said on here before it has alot to do with the tutor you have i think anyway and mine was spot on.