Confused on what qualifications I need to get started

[dontknowitall]

If you enjoy finding out how things work and stuff like that and if you're trying to embark on a new career, have you thought about the motor mechanical world?

I'm not trying to put you off plumbing, just trying to help you think about other possibilities before you spend much time and money on this caper. Plumbing's fine once you've been going for a good three years or so. You still get the most exasperating jobs from time to time but after a good 2-3 years you learn all sorts of things to make life easier.

I know cars are becoming more complicated these days but if you are happy with oily hands, being a mobile motor mechanic could bring in loads of money - for some odd reason it seems to take 2 days for a normal car service these days. Being mobile means you have to turn up with the correct parts and also it means that in most cases the customer hasn't got any worries about getting too and from the garage before and after work and stuff like that.

Just a thought.

 

[tamz]

People seem to think entering a trade requires the qualifications to get the job. I'm afraid it works the other way around as most find out.

 

[fuzzy]

People seem to think entering a trade requires the qualifications to get the job. I'm afraid it works the other way around as most find out.

good post tamz, is always been that way

id only add in terms of education their remit is to supply education and skills to those who wish to do it, whether that leads to a job or not is a different matter!!

 

[fuzzy]

Quite often the theory and know how is easy, it's putting it into practice that's difficult.

You'll find that plumbing (especially the basics) are easy to understand, fairly straightforward in the college workshop but an absolute nightmare in a customers property!

true, but you cannot put anything into practice you havnt first learnt

 

[fuzzy]

First of all, hello this is my first post here

I am very interested in becoming a qualified plumber but I am a bit confused on what qualifications I need to work towards. From looking around this forum and the internet it appears that I need to complete a City & Guilds 6189 Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing and Heating then find employment and work towards a level 2 (and 3 if I wanted) NVQ. Is this correct?

Thanks for your time.

not correct, the 6189 diploma is an NVQ

 

[fuzzy]

get the experience mate..experience is nothing anyone can learn to solder a bit of pipe, but when your out there on the field in sumones house by yourself...remember its all down to you!! to do your job.. no1 looking over your shoulder for you.. Experience=Competence!

i know where you are coming from but cannot agree. i know many experienced plumbers i wouldnt call competent

 

[fuzzy]

@Resolute
Yeah I imagine it's going be to tricky at times, but it will hopefully make me feel accomplished when I get it right

Was I right in my first post about what qualifications I need?

as tamz says you really need a job not the course, but without a job your only coice is a tech cert, the 6129 is outgoing but due to be replced. thats the best option but be warned it does not give you qual to call yourself a plumber. currently that is NOT POSSIBLE without a job

 

[Deleted member 25704]

People seem to think entering a trade requires the qualifications to get the job. I'm afraid it works the other way around as most find out.

Its a well made point tamz

 

[Joe0411]

not correct, the 6189 diploma is an NVQ

Oh right.. This is getting confusing :sad_smile:

The college near me says they do City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma is that something I should do to get started before I do the level 2 NVQ? Or do I have to start with the level 1 NVQ?

From what I've read the City & Guilds diplomas help you get the apprenticeship you require to study the NVQ..?

 

[Joe0411]

People seem to think entering a trade requires the qualifications to get the job. I'm afraid it works the other way around as most find out.

That all sounds how things should be but who's gonna take me on when I know nothing about plumbing? I need to get some knowledge of the trade before I begin or I wouldn't be able to do anything without constant help

 

[Deleted member 25704]

That all sounds how things should be but who's gonna take me on when I know nothing about plumbing? I need to get some knowledge of the trade before I begin or I wouldn't be able to do anything without constant help

I wonder what led to this belief? and it is a general belief that training is needed prior to apprenticeship - ask your tutors if they required a pre-apprenticeship course?

In PHAM news it was published that 50,000 apprentices had been processed through JTL in the last two decades. Given that JTL are just one training provider and the figures suggest an oversupply of time-served apprentices, it leaves little scope for those thinking there are any opportunities at all to be had in the plumbing industry.

Its no wonder that this was published in H&V news:

Jobs crisis threatens industry access | News | Heating and Ventilation News

I think this is just the start of the crisis unfolding in the plumbing industry and for apprenticeships generally.

 

[tamz]

I don't know if this misconception that to enter a trade you need some sort of pre qualification to get your foot in the door is being pushed by careers people and clueless teachers but it seems to be a general consensus among the ill informed. The reality is you don't. All you need is a half decent general education. You will then be taught all you need to know by the people you work for. Also like a lot of other jobs, who you know gets you further than what you know.

Good article Clanger, thanks. I hadn't read it.
The way things are going could see some trades return to the way it became in the 70's and 80's (specifically at the time with the trowel trades and joiners) with SC60's which killed apprenticeships for years as the tradesmen were all self employed and no youngsters got started.
Quite worrying.

 

[Joe0411]

I wonder what led to this belief?

The fact that I always get turned down to everything because of my lack of work experience. What am I gonna say on the phone to a plumber? Hey I'd like to start plumbing and I'd like to work with you. Okay what do you know about plumbing? Ermm... *hangs up*

You guys dont seem very happy with plumbing in general so now I don't know what to do with myself :/

 

[fuzzy]

Oh right.. This is getting confusing :sad_smile:

The college near me says they do City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma is that something I should do to get started before I do the level 2 NVQ? Or do I have to start with the level 1 NVQ?

From what I've read the City & Guilds diplomas help you get the apprenticeship you require to study the NVQ..?

there is no 6189 level 1? level 2 and 3 only

there is no level 1 nvq only bs2000

 

[fuzzy]

The fact that I always get turned down to everything because of my lack of work experience. What am I gonna say on the phone to a plumber? Hey I'd like to start plumbing and I'd like to work with you. Okay what do you know about plumbing? Ermm... *hangs up*

You guys dont seem very happy with plumbing in general so now I don't know what to do with myself :/

the only course you can get without being employed or working in the industry isnt enough to get you fully qualified. do you think they will put the phone down because you dont have a basic unqualified course behind you? obviously not, its because they dont want chancers, they want plumbers. a quick course isnt what you are missing it is employment