Is 40 too old to become a plumber? -

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Join Date: Oct 2008

Posts: 18

I have recently turned 40 and have thought about being a plumber for a while. I now find myself with enough time to do a course but wonder if I am too old. Has anyone out there any experience of starting at such a late age?

I have an 'interview' and aptitude test with BTSC tomorrow but after reading a few negative reports on this forum I am not sure it's going to be the training for me. Has anyone got any recommendations for other training in the north west?

 

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Join Date: Jan 2008

Location: leeds

Posts: 326

Depends mate , you will have to go self employed as no one will take you on so it just depends if you have around 12 grand to get started up and then earn maybe 100 pounds a week for a year ....good luck mate and welcome to the forum

 

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Join Date: Oct 2008

Posts: 35

go for it m8 if your in good health ,welcome to the forum

 

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Join Date: Jun 2008

Location: lancashire

Posts: 25

curlyworld... where abouts are you in the north west

 

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Join Date: Oct 2008

Posts: 18

I will be in Lancaster as of next month.

 

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Join Date: Oct 2008

Posts: 23

Hi Curlyworld,

I say go for it 40 is no where near to old as long as you are in good health. I am 31 and hope to train as a plumber myself. I am doing the train 4 trade skills course and hope that I will give me a good start into plumbing.

Hope you get it into it.

 

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Join Date: May 2008

Location: South Wales

Posts: 230

I retrained as a plumber aged 46 (4 years ago). I'm fitter, and faster than a lot of guys who are much younger, but I have always been involved in some sort of engineering since I was 16. The other thing to ask yourself is does your past experience help you with this. You may find that your "life skills" already acquired are an asset. Experience, maturity and common sense are great attributes to have. Good luck.

HTB

 

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Posts: n/a

well put

 

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Join Date: Oct 2008

Location: Bexleyheath, Kent

Posts: 127

That is true, at 28 years old and almost qualified, i find the younger plumbers that are qualified always look to me and ask what to do and how even though they should know better.

Life skills and experiences do help massively.

 

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Join Date: Jun 2008

Posts: 119

You're never too old to learn anything new and as already said, your life experience will help you no end.

At 36 I finished my re-training just over a year ago and whilst I have found self employment daunting, I have received a referal for more work from nearly every job I have done. This is almost entirely down to applying a professional attitude and approach to any job, whether it's a full bathroom fit or just fixing a tap.

I would reccomend that you find a training centre that suits you. Visit the centre and take up as many references from ex-students that they are prepared to give. I had an "interview" at BTSC in Chesington and whilst the facilities and the sale pitch are very good I just didn't get the right feeling from them and opted to go to The Plumbing Academy in Edenbridge, Kent.

Good luck for whatever you decide to do.

Mark.