Hello Ben, and welcome, You mention work placement in your area ? (Where Are You) I am located just outside Plymouth , large area for guys in the Marines, Not a good area to try for employment in the plumbing industry, unless you have got a few years experience , and that is the key factor, opportunities in other areas of uk could be better, Numbers in this area average around 600 , and not a lot of construction work going on just yet (Things in Pipeline) And this reflects on wages, I like a lot of other Plumbers in this location get numinous calls, emails asking for help to do what you are hoping to do, offering to work for free, just to gain experience, Don't just jump into this trade there are other opportunities in construction, do some more research B4 you decide and part with quite a large amount money, But good luck with what decide to do.