OK sooooooooooo...

[eddiebrown424]

Finally thought my luck was in.. A plumber I had contacted actually called back after xmas and we arranged to meet. Hopefully has some work in the future but also explained some difficulties taking on us newbies (2 years experience) such as

Trust-- its easier for him to do it himself rather than have to watch someone.

training someone and them leaving taking customers.

easier to pay more to have an experienced plumber who will do the job no probs.

Does not need someone all the time but ad hoc....

The trouble I would like some help with is how do I move on. i have worked ad-hoc but as its on a price the oppo to learn is limited. I want to become a HVAC engineer and have already invested a fortune but have some more money I could invest in my chosen career.... Me i'm

Studying the gas dip at Langley college and hope (if I can find an engineer) to complete the CCN1 in April.

Completed NVQ level 2 in plumbing.

Have my own van and tools.

Any advice would be appreciated I want to gain more knowledge on

wiring system controls.
Boiler diagnostics and components.

Am I trying to run before I can walk I have no work or prospects, is it worth investing in Part P and more training on the above and does anyone know any good traing schools in the London Middlesex area. I am trying to fill in the knowledge I need and would prefer to do so on site with a qualified engineer but am really stuck. Any advice or help would be appreciated. Eddie 07951 255243. With thanks

 

[dontknowitall]

It's difficult but you need a lucky break.

I had mine when another local plumber phoned me out of the blue. We have separate businesses but work together on the larger jobs or when one of us is under time pressure.

To begin with I didn't know that much and he was happy to teach me and give me tips. He would control the job (even if it was my job/customer) and I would do what I could without asking (about 80% of the work). We tended to work in separate rooms in the house and usually he'd give me the boring stuff (hanging radiators while he installed the boiler).

I and he was lucky that most things he told me I remembered and we are both lucky that we treat customers with the same ethos, we both try to stay and work cleanly (a priority for both of us), neither of us needs to tell the other to tidy up, etc. That was my lucky break 4 years ago.

Nowdays we'll occasionally give each other tips but spend most of the time chatting about the world when we're working together.

 

[eddiebrown424]

Thanks dontknowitall. Just been looking at the baxi training website and their prices are reasonable. In yho do yo think it is worth investing in say

unvented,
basic electrical (I have some limited knowledge)
and system wiring and controls

These are all 1 day courses and would be about £250. I was going to undertake part P for the same cost. Any advice would be appreciated. Also they do a boiler diagnosis course for around £100. As stated I am not gas safe yet but enrolled on a diploma course enabling me to take it in April (CCN1) If I can find a heating engineer or gas fitter. I have worked ad-hoc over the last year but being on a price the oppurtunity to learn was limited. With thanks Eddie

 

[dontknowitall]

I'd go for the most difficult part first - not training, but either getting a job or going self employed. If you don't you could train for years and still bring in no money.

In other words you could have all the qualifications in plumbing, electricity, carpentry, building, etc, etc and still not be able to earn money from it. Then you could train in IT and if you couldn't find a job/income, go for the medical world and then the legal sector and then ... etc, etc, etc.

Employers like experience or experience backed up with qualifications. They turn a blind eye to qualifications on their own.

In addition, like all aspects of life (including being self employed) it's not WHAT you know it's WHO you know.

I wish you luck. Finding a job/income is not easy at the moment.

 

[eddiebrown424]

well as luck would have it I may have an interview with a co next week that can get me tjhrough the gas.. with thanks again for all the sound advice its just soooooooooo frustrating :49:Eddie