Hi
Having read some of the comments, I feel I am qualified to reply. I have trained with New Career Skills and although the course is quite expensive, I found them good and knowledgeable and they gave me the confidence to start out on my own.
This is a new career for me so taking 2 or three years in college was not an option, as I needed to learn along side my full time work. However with the job market as it is and having been made redundant twice in 5 years, I am really pleased I took the course and now am starting to get regular plumbing work.
If I was just our of school, I would go to college and learn that way and hopefully get an apprenticeship. However if you are already working and can commit to the distance learning, then it is not a bad way to go. It is not cheap but I cannot see another option. I have also done a couple of evening courses at local colleges, but found them a waste of time, as 3 hours a week is not enough time to get anything done.
New career skills are expensive but I found their tutors knowledgeable and professional and they want to help you when you finish the course. In fact I am taking one of their students for a weeks job experience next week.
The hardest thing is trying to get experience as most plumbers do not want to
take on a novice, understandably.
Hope I have been helpful
Paul