i,m currently halfway through this courseand have just completed my first week in workshops after the five week classroom stuff.I must admit its nowt like i was expecting it to be.All the rules and regs you have to learn for the qualifications are a little tiresome and i reckon you could probably go up to a plumber who qualified 30 years ago and he probably wouldnt have a clue what you were on about,but i want the qualification so needs must.I think Joe the classroom tutor has his hands tied as far as what he can teach you,his job is to get you through the exams so teaching tricks of the trade or shortcuts are out of the window.The workshops however are a different matter and much more laid back.The assessors are brilliant and only too willing to help....secretly though i think they like making you look an idiot when you call them over to a problem you.re having and they put it right in 2 seconds before walking off looking smug....but thats just my opinion
.The way the workshops are laid out are as as real as i suppose they could make them,ie floorboards and joists in the bathroom bays etc.Most of the guys on my course are planning to go self employed which i suppose is the way to go to get on in this trade.Most employers wont want the hassle of taking on trainees,especially the more mature ones as there will be pay issues.I myself plan to concentrate in one area ie bathroom fitting however i will advertise myself as a domestic plumber and take on the little jobs nobody wants.I think anyone going on these courses and expecting to make serious money straight away are slightly deluded,all that will come with experience and hard work.