fully qualified plumber in two weeks.

[ecowarm]

Happens to us all mate.

Good year '78, I was born! 😉

That makes me sound OLD 🙁

 

[tamz]

too right

:d:d:d

 

[tamz]

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.

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.

 

[tamz]

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!

My reasons for liking it are waning as i get older and the pains become greater.😱

 

[Resolute]

My reasons for liking it are waning as i get older and the pains become greater.😱

You'll have to take on an apprentice to do the hard graft and just direct!

 

[fuzzy]

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

6128 isnt even a plumbing qual

 

[tamz]

You'll have to take on an apprentice to do the hard graft and just direct!

Got one

 

[GQuigley67]

its a hard industry to go into alone with no one to turn to, especially the gas/heating side of things

 

[Resolute]

its a hard industry to go into alone with no one to turn to, especially the gas/heating side of things

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.

 

[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.

 

[desrob]

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.

defined scope,full scope part p is not a qualification.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[GQuigley67]

is the Part P relevant in Scotland ?

 

[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!!!

 

[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.

 

[GQuigley67]

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

 

[Resolute]

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!!!

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.

 

[tamz]

I have made my fair share of mistakes but never to the detriment of my customers.

You will undoubtedly have a ceiling down at some time😉

is the Part P relevant in Scotland ?

No, but it still needs signed off.

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!!!

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🙁

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

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.

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.

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.