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bobby5156

HI all,

I am currently coming to the end of my 22 years in the Royal Engineers and i am very interested in retraining as a plumber/gass fitter. I am looking at the possiblity of attending the 6129/Lvl 2 cse in plumbing and ACS gas course with RF Training in Birmingham.

I am very aware that a fast track course will teach me basics and allow me to work in the field, but will mean I am lacking experience. I have a few queries:

1. Has anybody succeeded in their own business after completing these fast track courses?
2. Any ex service personnel got tips on how they qualified?
3. Does anyone have positive/negative points about RF Training in general?

I would be very grateful for comments/feedback from anyone who can help, I know this is something i want to do but unsure best way to achieve a second career for me and the family

Many thanks (in advance)

Bobby
 
Do your research Bobby, and read some of the other posts on here, in fact, spend at least an hour or so doing this.

You seem well equiped to enter this field, and would probably be able to transfer skills easily - however, your entering a field that is quickly slumping to a minimum wage sector. This is due to oversupply, over-investment of newly self employed to make a return, and dubious reports of skill-shortages.
 
congrats on doing 22 years.

Good luck with your plumbing also.

Best regards

Rocket
Ex RN!!
 
Hi Bobby

Good luck mate.

Did 22 years in the REME, have my own Building Business with 4 guys working for me, came out 3 years ago, had experience in electrical and i did C & J when on leave for a few years.
Its not about the media hype of earning ÂŁlots of dosh but you can make a living, its hard work but i enjoy it, to get your ACS you need to work with a GSI and get a portfolio, harder then it seems, not many people want to take you on due to time/money constraints.
I beleive the likes of RF/Gastec/met etc guarantee you a work placement, could be ok but it takes time to gain experience in the fields but you will only gain this with time.
Don't expect overnight success but I think you will do alright as you have a lot of the skills required to make it mate.
If you need any more info drop me a line.

Ian
 
Thanks for the replies all,

Ian I am looking at RF Training ideally to do the plumbing this year (8 weeks), practical gas (4 weeks) next year before out date, then intend to work as a plumber (self employed if i need to) doing the gas portfolio in and around that on jobs with RF Trg.

It is such a weird feeling I am really excited and want to get going but also really anxious about the change, I know its the best thing though, 22 yrs is enough lol I have enjoyed it but need to think about me and family for a bit, mothers getting old etc, kids growing up etc

I do understand i need to keep small and work within my abilities at first, but I know its a trade with dedication I can retrade well in and i know i am not going to be an expert lol but already the guys n gals on this forum fill me with the confidence that someone will help if you ask.

Eco Armyash has been in touch thanks.

Bobby
 
Hi Bobby

yes the course are sometimes the only way into the market,

You will love civvy life, i did my 22, but needed time with my missus, loved the army and still support it in various ways.

All you need to remeber its not stupidity to ask a question if you do not know something, we can't and don't know everything lol,

If you need anything or have any q's just fire away pal, good luck
Ian
 
Heya Mate,

I did a fast track into gas. been out 4 years. you have got to love the job and have a real interest which helps to do the job diligently.
After i started with an M&E company i enrolled myself on a nightclass to complete my nvq 2&3 in plumbing and heating. The company put me through my commercial gas tickets and i have'nt looked back. currently looking to use my ELCAS to complete my HNC in building services engineering. My mate did the fast track into plumbing level 2 when he left but no luck, as soon as he did his gas, work straight away!
Its defo harder to get employment now but if your persistent you will suceed. My advice would be to gain your experience with a company first. Its a job that you could get into bother with should you not approach it armed to the teeth with knowledge.

Dave, Ex Infantry
 
Dave, Thanks for the reply it makes a lot of sense, I am fighting the battle with the chain of command at the moment to get time off to attend the plumbing course, you would think after 22 yrs they would be a little sympathetic. I am really up fot this type of work and cant wait, wish I could fast forward lol.

How long did you do int he forces, who with? Hope to chat more as I progress buddy

Bobby
 
hi bobby,
thanks for the advice,as you can see a bit of a novice in this fieldhope you get your rf training let me know how you do buddy,did think of going in that direction but money constraints put a hold on it,at the moment i have a library of books on plumbing ,laws diameters of pipe,direct & indirect systems,heating etc its a minefield of knowledge to take in,i am hoping it will all fall in place if i get to chaperone a good heating,plumbing engineer but it's proving to be a nightmare.

good luck & cheers
pete
 
I know it's a bit off topic, but reading every book you can lay your hands on will help a great deal. if you're looking for background reading, you could do far far worse than the Tolley's series on gas, there are three volumes (basic science of gas, domestic, and commercial). they're expensive, but I've found them to be the most authoritive and thorough books on the matter. Very little about british standards and testing etc (that stuff keeps changing, so I think that's why they kind of avoid these matters to a large extent, but you canpick that info up from the CORGI manuals or similar), but lots of background knowledge/info on how things work etc. Really helpful books. worth every penny in my view. If you're serious about the gas, IMHO these books are a very good place to start.

On a more general note, and not wanting to sound wet or anything, but to all you bods in the forces or those that are ex forces, thanks for all that you've done, and i really do wish you all the very best in your endeavours.
 
Don't do it! The jobs ****. The moneys ****.

You need to be good competent in electrics/gas-combustion/electronics (components)/hydraulic components/plumbing/pipework. Each one is a job in itself! -(you make a mistake, eg injuring someone or worse, you go to prison. So lots to think about, lots of responsibility.

All in all. With decent training it will take a moderately intelligent person 5 years to be properly competent.

Also.
Acs ÂŁ1000
gas safe ÂŁ400
tools ÂŁ3000

min expense not inc training and van.

I know because ive done it. Had bg training and a 3 year apprenticeship, had my own business. Now back at bg.

If i could go back. I would do something else.

Good luck!!
 
I went to night classes for 2 years for NVQ 2 while working for myself plumbing/handy man, I was not working for a company when I done day release for NVQ 3, again working for myself, it was incredibly tough and luickily I only had to look after myself, not a family! I got there with a lot of hard headed determination (Im ex forces aswell) and a little help from my friends (especially when getting my gas work signed off!) .

The key is getting someone to sign you off for the gas (I done my ACS last year), I dont know about the coy you are going to train with but have heard bad reports of some unfortunately. Since being Gas Safe it has been a lot easier getting work (subby day rate in South East) just having NVQ level 2 just wasnt enough unless you knew someone to get you into subcontracting. Going through an Agency for work is a different matter all togeher....


Money is tight and the market is saturated out there but on a poisitive note if your good at your job you will get work (on site/subby work as the foreman will soon have you of the site if your not up to speed) I mean this with no dis respect to the private domestic market customers most of them dont really know what a good plumber is imho)

set up costs are far cheap with no gurantee of work just because your qualified! Tools beg, borrow, get yourself down the car boot sale on a sunday and have a sniff round for a bargain. The work is hard but rewarding and very interesting, getting in to tyhe green energy. Im going of on a tangent but PM if I can be of help
 
Anyone reading the above please note Im talking about private domestic customers not tradesmen!
 
Ex squaddie here too, 22 years in Aldershot. Loved it but left the day my time was up and never looked behind me.
Set up on my own in UK for a couple of years and struggled but survived. Did NVQ 2 and 3, then moved to France before I did gas training.
Been working over here as a plumber since 2006 and just set myself up on my own. Not painful enough with all the French paperwork (never forget bureaucracy is a French word), indeed just had yet another fight this morning, but I'm hoping that all goes well.
If you're competent, reliable (that really is a big one) and prepared to work all hours then you'll survive, and slowly make a decent living, good luck.
 
:welcome: and thanks for your service to us, Now the bad news, work in the plumbing trade is dead just now, will cost you a small fortune to get started, and you will miss regular income, why everyone wants to be a plumber I dont know! its not the job it used to be , nothing glamorous about unblocking WC's crawling around under floors & roof spaces, people winging about costs, but if it's whant to do ! give it a go, its an eye open'r
 
Hi Bobby. Congrats on a worthwhile career with the services, its a pity that due serving your country you have to find paid work upon retirement. But yes I have found plumbing a great career. So far, spent 15 years working for public service then decided to get out of flying a desk and do something useful. I have been running my company now since 2009 specialising in Plumbing and Renewable Technologies, yes it was a slow start to get up and running but now really busy and life is good. I love being my own boss.
I re-trained with a company called New Career Skills. They have excellant centres at Southampton, Watford and Doncaster. They don't do Gas but I believe have a good connection to a company that will assist in Gas training, but if you go the Gas route you will have to find a willing Gas Engineer to buddy up with, and probably un-paid based on my experience.
NCS, I believe are partnered up with your ECLAS scheme and they have a dedicated advisor. Yes they are not the cheapest course around but being an ex-detective I did alot of research into them and felt they met my needs particulalry around flexibility and had a good "after training" service which I think they now call NCS Career Search and MyNCS. I suggest give them a call and try to visit one of their centres.
For me they have been a great support to my business, supply extra lkabour when needed and work experience, paid and unpaid.
Yes some people have negative experiences of training courses and the industry but hey, I tend to find people are more ready to complain than they are to praise. You can't please all the people all the time huh!
A successful business won't happen overnight but it will happen with good grafting, customer service and attention to detail.
Best advice is do your research and list what your needs are out of the course and assess all providers against your needs, not what they think you need!
Good luck buddy.
 
Dave, Thanks for the reply it makes a lot of sense, I am fighting the battle with the chain of command at the moment to get time off to attend the plumbing course, you would think after 22 yrs they would be a little sympathetic. I am really up fot this type of work and cant wait, wish I could fast forward lol.

How long did you do int he forces, who with? Hope to chat more as I progress buddy

Bobby

I can't believe your arguing with the 'rodneys' they made me sick to my back teeth when I was in and now there still no better.

With us cutting the services even further I agree you'd have thought they'd help but why am I not surprised.

With cuts taking us down to 82000 regulars I was reading that its no longer an army but classified as a self defence force.

No real navy and no real airforce we are now no longer a force to be reckoned with just a tin pot nation with ideas of grandure! still I'm sure well follow the USA when we go into Iran!

Sorry off subject a bit. Just winds me up a treat! Good luck.
 
Hi Bobby

Have a look at The Trades Brigade (google it). They are a company specifically set up to support ex military personnel who want to run their own tradesman business (plumbers, carpenters, electricians etc).

They can assist you with finding the right training and courses and get you on placements when you finish training to build up your portfolio. They also have a mentor service (mentors are also ex military or TA) that can guide you as you are starting up. Gives you someone to turn to when things crop up, and things will inevitably crop up!

They also provide work opportunities, this can be really helpful if there are times when you are struggling to find work and can therefore help you to maintain your cash flow.

They have also negotiated ex-military discounts at companies like vauxhall (cheaper vans/van lease), Jewsons (cheaper tools and materials), Direct Line insurance etc. This all helps to reduce the cost of starting up your business.

I would recommend registering your details on their website and seeing what they can offer you

Sam
 
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