Getting into plumbing at thirty seven

[textbook]

i have been living abroad for years teaching English and well not really doing much with my life. I have come back to the UK and want to get into a stable job which has the possibility of going self employed. I am 37 so no spring chicken but too old either i guess. I thought about the trades and heard plumbing was the best paid and heard good reports of job satisfaction of people who are doing it. Actually I have no idea how good i would be! I have looked into apprenticeships at my local college- but seems difficult and part time courses for NVQs which take a year or two. I have also looked at BTSC for their intensive courses. What is the best route? And is BTSC any good?

 

[Blake]

Hi and welcome 🙂

Well I hate to burst your bubble but the plumbing and heating industry is going through a hard time at the moment and a lot of people are struggling just to get by.

There have been loads of new entrants due to fast track courses etc and false reports of how much a plumber can earn. This coupled with the recession has resulted in the market being flooded with plumbers when there is not much work about.

We see people every day on here that have paid vast sums of money for fast track courses but then can not get work as they have no experience.

Do a search on here and you will find many posts from people in the same situation as yourself. Don't get me wrong, it is possible, it's just really difficult at the moment and I'd think hard before spending your hard earned money on a fast track course.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

 

[fuzzy]

Check out all the other threads mate, any questions on these, post them and well do our best to answer them for you

 

[textbook]

Well it is hard everywhere because of the recession- I wouldn't expect lots of money straight away. I would do other work as well while starting out just want to know how to get into it, what is the best way? Is it the apprenticeship route, or the NVQ p/t courses at my local college or the fast trackers? Do the fast trackers do ok after a few years? Surely, before experience you have to do something.

 

[Dannypipe]

You won't get a positive response to this question 'textbook' as it seems every man and his dog wants to be a plumber and the market is pretty saturated. You won't find a single college who'll tell you that though....as they're all just after a quick buck.

Good luck to you though

 

[PlumbBobBob]

second danny, no college is going to turn you away if there's money in it for them.

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

yawn,i am bored where do i start earning 60k a year people someone tell me please.....spent the last 17 years trying to find out but cant must be doing something wrong

 

[dontknowitall]

yawn,i am bored where do i start earning 60k a year people someone tell me please.....spent the last 17 years trying to find out but cant must be doing something wrong

Try banking or the civil service?

😉

 

[Dannypipe]

We're all so jaded!!!!!! Ha.

 

[GQuigley67]

I wake up in the morning and thank allah im a plumber

 

[BikerBen]

Just clicked 37 myself matey, dont consider myself too old to learn a new trade especially as we will all be working until death (crappy pensions) and life expectancy is 80+ these days

 

[dontknowitall]

I was 45 when I started. Wish I'd started when I was 30 or so as I'd have a minion by now and would send him to do all the awkward jobs.

 

[textbook]

well I will give it a go, I am not expecting 60K straight away maybe ever- just to survive!