retraining

[sussansuze]

hi there to anybody that can give me some addvice .my husband had a accident last year and is unable to carry on with his previous job so he is wanting to go into plumbing and heating he is 45 years old and we have no idea of the best place to do the training needed.we have looked on various web sites and also looked at varios coments about these sites and they have me a bit worried particually this ocli .has any body heard of a place called lomax training in north shields.this is some thing he has always wanted to do and we just want to do it properly even if it takes years of traing constructive replyes please:santa3:

 

[Destroyer2813]

What sort of accident did your husband have, we see a lot of posts asking this sort of question what sort of course are you looking at?. What the training centres say is earn 60000 a year etc but pretty much everyone hear can tell you a different story. The industry is saturated at the minute thanks to these centres and we see loads of posts offering free labour for experiance.

Good luck to your husband if he really wants to do it

 

[PlumbBobBob]

plumbing is a very physical occupation so may not suit your husband if his injuries were that bad that he couldn't continue with his original job

 

[sussansuze]

hi he was a hgv driver and fell of his trailer and smashed all his arm up so he cant do that any more .we relise the market is flooded with people in this profesion but i supposse you could say every were is struggling at the moment.we dont want to get rich or any thing like that of this . my husband just wants to learn a trade and to be able to pay the bills .but we dont want to be ripped off doing it.the cource we have beening looking at was with this olci nvq level 3 and also wanting to look at the gas side as well .

 

[lame plumber]

You can do it in your 40s, I did but I had a background in property development before the banks pulled the plug on that. However your knees etc give up before youre ready to, so you need to specialise in appliance servicing/repairs. less lifting than installations. I qualified via local college but took 4 years day release to do so, but cheapest way to do it and colleges have support funds for those on incomes less than £15k I think, ie you dont part with a fortune but problems with works exp now, but you can work for yourself, start small and develop fm there and prepare yourself to do anything on the way.

 

[Irish]

I did my level 2 with olci in London purely for speed and nothing else, they didn't do any theory with us apart from an hour on hot water systems, I had 12 yrs experience before I did the course therefore wasn't that worried about the basic plumbing theory as I was only doing the course to get my level 3 then gas safe, if your husband has no experience then I strongly recommend go somewhere else as you need to have a basic knowledge in order to actually make a living its pointless having a cert if you don't actually know the basics, I couldn't believe how bad the "college" I went to was, it truly was amazing how lax the teaching was

 

[A1P]

I would definitely do the Local Technical College route.Keep away from quick courses which are expensive and you often finish up without acceptable qualifications.Whichever route you go ,one big problem is getting work experience to build your NVQ and Gas folders. ,I spent 4 years doing one day a week to get NVQ 3 Plumbing and Heating followed by my Gas Safe qualifications.I was 24 when I started and because it was impossible to get work with a company, I had to become self employed.I have worked from time to time with friends in plumbing and heating but to some extent I have had to learn on the job.I have worked within my limitations and have always been willing to seek help and have learned stacks on this forum.After 5 years I am now making a living but have lived at home and have no family commitments.I have reached the stage now where virtually all my work is from referrals and I have never advertised.I now feel I have a future but it has been hard.This has worked for me but probably not suitable for you.I would emphasise the physical nature of the work ,lugging bathroom suites,radiators and boilers around.I would also point out the vast amount of dry but vital regulations which have to be learnt for exams.Finally consider related trades.I made a conscious decision to learn tiling so that i could do complete bathrooms.Plastering also could be handy.I hope I have been realistic rather than negative.It is extremely cut throat out there and people are struggling and will be for a long time.I am negative about the economy and see cuts in self employed rates with increasing costs.Difficult time for everyone.I wish you well but you might find yourself doing various part-time jobs until you are qualified and established.

 

[sonray ltd]

If he's that bad with his arm and can't drive a lorry then he won't be able to do plumbing it's a dam site more lifting and manual work than driving.

 

[lame plumber]

Driving trucks is hard work, if you ever done it its one hell of a lot of lifting and shoving, as well but you need two fully functioning arms to do corners safetly. If you can avoid the site work, I hate it with a vengance and specialise over time on repairs/servicing cant see an issue, Ive just spent several weeks on crutches and worked, perk of being self employed and most of the customers were carrying the tools to and from the van for me. Probably carried a crutch around few a few days longer than I really needed!
remember its what the individual thinks they can do and not what we think they are capable of.

 

[sonray ltd]

Driving trucks is hard work, if you ever done it its one hell of a lot of lifting and shoving,

Yep 21 yrs i'm afraid and counting and it dam easier than plumbing on the right job it's just soul destroying.

 

[stevetheplumber]

Driving trucks is hard work, if you ever done it its one hell of a lot of lifting and shoving, as well but you need two fully functioning arms to do corners safetly. If you can avoid the site work, I hate it with a vengance and specialise over time on repairs/servicing cant see an issue, Ive just spent several weeks on crutches and worked, perk of being self employed and most of the customers were carrying the tools to and from the van for me. Probably carried a crutch around few a few days longer than I really needed!
remember its what the individual thinks they can do and not what we think they are capable of.

driving lorries used to be hard work but from a physical aspect todays trucks are as easy to drive as a car most ,loading is done by machinery ,most physical job most drivers do nowdays is pulling the curtains sides shut a lot of companies dont allow the drivers to get on the lorry load bed at all if he cant drive a lorry he will not be able to be a plumber boiler repair possibly but even that can involove lifting boilers and climbing ladders

 

[lame plumber]

the boy reckons he can do it, so why not encourage him, all he wants is some advice on the courses to follow, good luck to him I say, probably find he's employing a load of us in 5 years time

 

[Irish]

Not telling him not to do it just advising the fella to go elsewhere for his training

 

[REDSAW]

like pulling yourself up into a loft from a foot stool!!

or wedging your shoulders under a bath..between the toilet and wall to get at the taps?. try it at home first.

 

[Irish]

Yeah pulling yourself up is the easy bit it's lowering yourself down that's the hard bit

 

[sonray ltd]

They all recon they can do it and earn 52k a yr till they hit the brick wall and can't go any further.

 

[lame plumber]

Not telling him not to do it just advising the fella to go elsewhere for his training

down boy, the thread had moved on fm your advice, which I agree with tbh, I was refering to physical ability to do the job:15:

 

[SimonG]

Yeah pulling yourself up is the easy bit it's lowering yourself down that's the hard bit

That's the easy bit, gravity will help you along.

Have to agree with those advising against it. If you can't drive a truck then you're going to be snookered trying plumbing. IMHO

 

[lame plumber]

They all recon they can do it and earn 52k a yr till they hit the brick wall and can't go any further.

Is that net of costs or gross, its only £200 a day after all :disappointed:

 

[REDSAW]

Yeah pulling yourself up is the easy bit it's lowering yourself down that's the hard bit

lol, i am good at climbing and even better at falling out.

given the circumstances, have you thought about pat testing?

my uncle has a disabled arm and earns his crust doing that plenty of work there and quicker to qualify.imo

 

[lame plumber]

lol, i am good at climbing and even better at falling out.

the real pig is when you fall and make a brand new attic opening!!

 

[sussansuze]

some thing i all ways find annoying is that most people think driving a wagon is like driving a car from a to b well let me tell you it is not .it is hard work and long hours living in your small cab for the week away from home.:85:

 

[sussansuze]

if you think the hardest part of driving a wagon is pulling the curtains through then you are been very negative ,and no it is not like driving a car:stupid:

 

[SimonG]

and plumbing's hard enough being fully fit. You asked for opinions and you got them. If you only wanted rose tinted replies then you shouldn't have asked the question.

 

[joe brown]

Hello before you make a descision about becoming a plumber please be aware that all these fast track courses are ending this year. College's are no longer running the technical certificate either. You will now need a work placement to do any evening classes. Has he considered becoming a spark.

 

[Paul Cockhill]

HI

Interesting points well made. I am 50 this year and started plumbing 3 years ago, after running a successful travel agency for 15 years. Travel agencies have pretty much died out now so I looked for another career. Coming from a desk job plumbing is very physical and I would be a bit concerned if your husband has issues with his arm, as he will spend alot of time under sinks and baths and stretching to reach pipes etc.

However if he really wants to do it, then go for it, I am really enjoying plumbing. I did a home study quick course through New Career Skills, not ideal but the only way to do things if you can study and hold a full time job down as well.

It might be worth looking at local colleges but I found our one in Bath to be hopeless.
New Career skills were expensive, they teach you the very basics and you do not get much practical experience, however you can work to get things such as NVQs Unvented certificate and Water regulations.

I was lucky my brother is a builder and I did the plumbing on a lot of his jobs which gave me confidence and experience. However even after 3 years I still consider my self a student of plumbing and you learn most by doing it.

I would suggest your husband tries to get as much practical experience as he can. i started by working on my own hours, changing taps, changing showers, tiling etc.

I also found it useful to go on practical courses that a lot of the manufactures offer free to plumbers.

I wish you luck and would definately encourage your husband if that is what he wants to do

 

[sussansuze]

i asked the question on were is best to train ,not on whether you think my husband is fit enough to change his carear. yes we know all about what is involved he has fitted my bath room suites in 2 of my houses that we have lived in and it was a top notch job done as good as any profesional would have done.

 

[lame plumber]

As I mentioned originally, go to the local college, they may even help with course funding and despite taking longer to complete give a good outcome normally. I did it that way late on and then used the money saved on training to put towards my business!

 

[Helpfulplumber]

Go for it, you can make a decent wage just changing taps small leaks, I did this for a couple of years. In fact I still do, just about to get gas safe which will make life a bit easier. Trick is to keep it simple I have been plumbing full time for 5 years and am pretty good on most basic stuff, boilers are tricky to master but if you think long term it's worth the he effort. Try to get in with local letting people they have plenty of small low paid jobs to gain experience. Good luck

 

[sussansuze]

there is such a lot to look into,we just want to get it right. and to know there are some guys out there ,around my husbands age who have done this ,and are giving encouragement means a lot thanks:christmastree1:

 

[lame plumber]

Enjoy Xmas its alll work thereafter!

 

[chris watkins]

i asked the question on were is best to train ,not on whether you think my husband is fit enough to change his carear. yes we know all about what is involved he has fitted my bath room suites in 2 of my houses that we have lived in and it was a top notch job done as good as any profesional would have done.

With all due respect how would you know if the job was "top notch" & as good as a professional ? because it looked good ? only a professional can really judge that.

How long does your husband want to spend training ? The proper full training courses are four years, one day a week (2 years Level 2 & 2 years Level 3) C&G's 6189 if you have a job in plumbing (NVQ) & 6035 if you don't.

 

[Paul Cockhill]

Hi

Yes I agree with the helpful plumber. I do a lot of work for letting companies, most of them are looking for a reliable plumber. Alot of the work is small jobs but a great way to build experience. Letting companies also look for anyone who can do other things, such as decorating, a little woodwork, tiling etc so if your husband is reasonable at these he should find plenty of work.

I found that by being honest and going to a job and not been afraid to say that it is to big a job or one you feel you could not do, then the letting company respects that

best of luck

Paul

 

[Avatar]

I am sure he can manage somehow.

I concentrate on maintainace where the money is good (and the lifting is less!).

Where there is a will there is a way - do not listen to the negative opinions as some of these guys are overly touchy and opinionated . . . .

I think we should be a bit more helpful and a bit less cocky when answering post like this!

Poor Susan came on here for a bit of advise and got blasted by a load of grumpy old plumbers . . . . There is way to much back talking, joking and throwing cheap shot at OP's on here some times.

Lets try and keep it nice guys please!

 

[Helpfulplumber]

I am sure he can manage somehow.

I concentrate on maintainace where the money is good (and the lifting is less!).

Where there is a will there is a way - do not listen to the negative opinions as some of these guys are overly touchy and opinionated . . . .

I think we should be a bit more helpful and a bit less cocky when answering post like this!

Poor Susan came on here for a bit of advise and got blasted by a load of grumpy old plumbers . . . . There is way to much back talking, joking and throwing cheap shot at OP's on here some times.

Lets try and keep it nice guys please!

Here here, Nothing wrong with people wanting to become plumbers, if you read this thread it makes for uncomfortable reading. Negative comments from senior forum members even questioning the guy physical ability. It's nice to be nice:santa5:

 

[SimonG]

Pair of you want to give your heads a shake. She came on and asked the question, plumbings bleedin hard work. Better to be told that now rather than forkin out cash on stupid courses and finding you physically can't manage.

If he can make it all well and good, and I wish him all the best. But people need to be aware that this job is far from easy and not a bed of roses these robbing training centres make it out to be.

Trouble is people prefer a fairy story to the truth theses days.

 

[Dotty]

I agree. Better to be told the truth now than when money's forked out. Having said that we don't know how incapacitating the injury is. What I will tell you is my father-in-law lost his right arm in a farming accident when he was 15. The man drives bulldozers for a living!

So Susan's husband needs to be 100% honest with himself first. And then if he thinks he can work it with his injury fair play to him and I wish him well. I wish him well whatever he decides.

But he may want to try pulling a bend in a length of 22 first before any major decisions are made!

 

[Helpfulplumber]

Pair of you want to give your heads a shake. She came on and asked the question, plumbings bleedin hard work. Better to be told that now rather than forkin out cash on stupid courses and finding you physically can't manage.

If he can make it all well and good, and I wish him all the best. But people need to be aware that this job is far from easy and not a bed of roses these robbing training centres make it out to be.

Trouble is people prefer a fairy story to the truth theses days.

she doesn't imply that plumbing was easy just where to start with retraining. The fairy story is that plumbing is a iron man job that is requires immense physicality. It doesn't most of the smaller jobs are pretty light on labour, even swapping boilers isn't what I would call hard labour. I was a landscape gardener before I retrained and that was hard physical work, digging holes in roads is hard work. Plumbing is thinking mans job. Plenty of late 60s plumber in the merchants in the morning still working and enjoying it. Most people are not so stupid to think that 12months training is going to net them 50 grand a year, the fact that she has bothered to post proves that she going about the re training in a reasonable considered way. We all started some where, all I'm saying us give people the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Millsy 82]

she doesn't imply that plumbing was easy just where to start with retraining. The fairy story is that plumbing is a iron man job that is requires immense physicality. It doesn't most of the smaller jobs are pretty light on labour, even swapping boilers isn't what I would call hard labour. I was a landscape gardener before I retrained and that was hard physical work, digging holes in roads is hard work. Plumbing is thinking mans job. Plenty of late 60s plumber in the merchants in the morning still working and enjoying it. Most people are not so stupid to think that 12months training is going to net them 50 grand a year, the fact that she has bothered to post proves that she going about the re training in a reasonable considered way. We all started some where, all I'm saying us give people the benefit of the doubt.

I understand what your saying all I do is service and maintenance I still have to take 40kg boilers off the wall which isnt as demanding as digging holes etc all day but it takes alot of physical strength to lift a boiler which 9 times out of 10 is not in an easy place to get off (Weak worktops below that wont take the weight of a boiler) I also have to fit radiators I once had to fit a 600x2500 double which almost killed me lifting it into the house. There is also having to get in and out of awkward positions which puts a lot of strain on the body like getting to some bath taps pumps behind cylinders etc.

If the OP,s husband can physically cope with that then go for it but you have to be realistic when it comes to forking out large lumps of money to only find out you cant do a large number of jobs.

 

[Helpfulplumber]

600x2500 wow that's a big rad, fair point. I wouldn't do that on my own ( my spine would break!) plenty of lighter jobs out there!

 

[Whl4852]

I can hardly bend 22mm with two good arms!

 

[Millsy 82]

600x2500 wow that's a big rad, fair point. I wouldn't do that on my own ( my spine would break!) plenty of lighter jobs out there!

I wouldnt do that by myself now it almost killed me when I was 25 and trained most days I think it was 118kg and I used to have to install isars which were not light either.

My point being though that even the lighter jobs will eventually lead onto a bigger job even a 1200 double is heavy enough and who would a customer go with somebody who could say fix a dripping tap and fit a 1200 rad or a person who could only do 1 and then pay again for someone else to fit a rad they would go for the 1 who could do both. Even if they only stuck to say bathroom swaps how many times have you come across a cast iron bath even if you smash it into 4 bits they are still heavy to carry out.

Obviously I dont know the extent of the injuries and they might be perfectly capable of doing everything if thats the case go for it. This job has its bad times but it is a good job no 2 days are the same and you constantly come across problems you have to over come which I enjoy.

 

[lame plumber]

personally my sack truck carries all the big rads and boilers around, then I use blocks/bricks to position them against the wall before lifting on one end at a time. Similar for boiler, but rest them on my work mate and blocks before the final lift. Means I might be working for a bit longer yet

 

[stevetheplumber]

till say if you cant drive a lorry you willstruggle to find a living plumbing ive been doing it alln=my life the small jobs have been taken by the pay monthly contracts or bg home serve etc and the big jobs by the cheap as chips illegals

 

[lame plumber]

till say if you cant drive a lorry you willstruggle to find a living plumbing ive been doing it alln=my life the small jobs have been taken by the pay monthly contracts or bg home serve etc and the big jobs by the cheap as chips illegals

best learn to drive a lorry then as theres one job going now out there

 

[Whl4852]

till say if you cant drive a lorry you willstruggle to find a living plumbing ive been doing it alln=my life the small jobs have been taken by the pay monthly contracts or bg home serve etc and the big jobs by the cheap as chips illegals

Best bit of honest advice I've seen on this forum. I started with a 76 year old plumber, after showing me how the kettle worked he told me to get out before my knees go and my patience follows...

 

[lame plumber]

Best bit of honest advice I've seen on this forum. I started with a 76 year old plumber, after showing me how the kettle worked he told me to get out before my knees go and my patience follows...

So why are you still doing it then??

 

[Whl4852]

So why are you still doing it then??

The same reason as him, to earn an honest living

 

[sussansuze]

Hi there to all u negative would be males out there and happy new year to you all .thought this would be a good site to get some real info but all you want to do is poke and pull my husbands decision to change his job prospects to bits.are you a plumb forum or a face book ? You guys are worse than women

 

[sussansuze]

Get your head out the clouds I know a good job when I see one