Anyone have experience with Training providers. Need help

[Spacman]

Hello everyone, so I've decided to embark on my journey to becoming a qualified plumber. However, i am unsure if these training courses and providers are legit. My brother had an experience a few years ago that turned to be a scam. The company name is 24/7 Training UK. Weekly payments of 45 quid and I will train online and at the training centres to become nvq level 1 qualified then move onto level 2. Anyone had similar experiences with these type of companies? Thank you

 

[steadyon]

1. The problem with these training courses is that it is very difficult for them to give you the practical experience you need to achieve the NVQ's. Getting the NVQs requires assessment in a real world environment, which you can only get working with a qualified plumber. Getting this type of mentoring is extremely difficult, as there is nothing in it for the qualified person.
2. Have a look at this article. Are fast-track plumbing courses just money down the drain? - https://www.theguardian.com/money/2010/may/15/fast-track-plumbing-courses
3. The best way to get into the trade is with an apprenticeship and night school / day release. Not easy past a certain age.
4. Have a word with your local training / education / adult learning centre and see what they can offer.
5. It can be done via the "fast track" route, although its rarely fast, but you will need a huge amount of luck to get someone to take you on.

 

[Spacman]

1. The problem with these training courses is that it is very difficult for them to give you the practical experience you need to achieve the NVQ's. Getting the NVQs requires assessment in a real world environment, which you can only get working with a qualified plumber. Getting this type of mentoring is extremely difficult, as there is nothing in it for the qualified person.
2. Have a look at this article. Are fast-track plumbing courses just money down the drain? - https://www.theguardian.com/money/2010/may/15/fast-track-plumbing-courses
3. The best way to get into the trade is with an apprenticeship and night school / day release. Not easy past a certain age.
4. Have a word with your local training / education / adult learning centre and see what they can offer.
5. It can be done via the "fast track" route, although its rarely fast, but you will need a huge amount of luck to get someone to take you on.

Thank you very much for your reply. The Training provider provides practical training at the test centres. They also said in regards to the qualifications they have work at ongoing construction sites available for us to go and build up a "portfolio" to ensure we receive our accreditation and NVQ status. They're aware that this a requirement. Would it be worth it in this case?. I can't really afford to do an apprenticeship you see. This seems like a better route. But I also want to be able to receive the qualifications. The course advisor claimed that once you're qualified you won't have a problem getting hired.

Would love your input on this, thank you very much

 

[Spacman]

Thank you very much for your reply. The Training provider provides practical training at the test centres. They also said in regards to the qualifications they have work at ongoing construction sites available for us to go and build up a "portfolio" to ensure we receive our accreditation and NVQ status. They're aware that this a requirement. Would it be worth it in this case?. I can't really afford to do an apprenticeship you see. This seems like a better route. But I also want to be able to receive the qualifications. The course advisor claimed that once you're qualified you won't have a problem getting hired.

Would love your input on this, thank you very much

Also to clarify. The Training isn't fasttrack as in 6 weeks. They claim it will take 12-18 months to become level 2 qualified and then another 12 months for level 3 if I wish to

 

[oz-plumber]

What's the course costing you - out of interest?

 

[Ric2013]

I managed to get my NVQ2, without ever being officially an apprentice, via an FE college.

That said, I have an academic background that meant learning (and self-learning) is something I was already good at, a lot of DIY experience (and I mean a lot - all the fiddly stuff, old and weird installations, and a full-time volunteer experience at the Centre for Alternative Technology) some site experience, and two friends who were qualified plumbers and able to act as work-based recorders. I was also prepared to go home, buy copper tube, and pull offsets in my lounge until I was good at it.

I haven't tried to get an employed position, but I'd think the questions at this stage would relate to my experience more than my level of qualification. So I'm doubtful you could, necessarily, get a job straight out of college, especially with a fast-track course. There's a lot of people subscibed to the school of thought that someone cannot possibly learn in [whatever] what they learnt in 5 years and that could be an obstacle if your aim is to try to get a job using the qualification alone.

 

[Victoria]

Can you let me know if you went ahead with this? I've been in touch with the same company..

 

[NeedChangeInLife]

Been in touch with the same company I believe even though the names of all these training company seem to be spins of one another.

Oz-plumber to answer your question it's £7800 to take you to lvl 3 with a C&G lvl 3 as well.

Fed up in my job completely and really don't want to lose money. I know it won't be the easiest getting employment after but just hoping the certificate and qualifications are really. Are they what a technically professional plumber would have in ways of qualifications?

Like Victoria I would also be keen to know if you started this or who you spoke to in your interviews
Initials would be fine. E.g WH

 

[NeedChangeInLife]

Test

 

[WC1]

"Fed up in my job completely"
- Don't allow this to make the grass look greener.

Many trainees think they can get experience by offering their time for free. It's not like that, the trainee slows the engineer down and is a considerable drain.

Have you considered paying to shadow someone so you have some idea of what the trade really is - might cost a few hundred. Might save many thousands.

 

[SimonG]

How are you paying the bills/living whilst retraining?

 

[Cheekychops]

I am looking to change career. I have a young family and need to work round them.

I have been in touch with Access Training. It seems to have some mix reviews.

While there seems to be alot of happy people with the knowledge they have experience, there seems to be just as many who are un happy as they haven't recieved certificates, completed exam's or can't get practical experience ( some of the reviews go back to 2017).

I have been in touch with my local college who doesn't do plumbing, the one that does is over an hour away 2 evenings a week and is about 1/3 the price of access training.

But I'm not sure if I would have the same problems in getting the practical part of the course completed?

Any advice??? I am near Harlow in Essex.

Also in level 2 diploma what would you as a plumber expect to see as a minimum in a course.

My understanding is once the level 2 is completed you then start on NVQ for practical assessment. Is this right?

 

[Jimmy martin]

I did a evening course at college and got my my C&G level 3. As my confidence grew i put the word about with friends and started doing small jobs to gain some experience. I'm now working as sub contractor for a Plumbing company. If i can do it you can.

 

[WC1]

Why do you think plumbing will allow you to work around a young family? It didn't let me. I regret not spending more time with them, but it is what it is and we wouldn't be where we are today otherwise.

 

[Jimmu0161]

Thank you very much for your reply. The Training provider provides practical training at the test centres. They also said in regards to the qualifications they have work at ongoing construction sites available for us to go and build up a "portfolio" to ensure we receive our accreditation and NVQ status. They're aware that this a requirement. Would it be worth it in this case?. I can't really afford to do an apprenticeship you see. This seems like a better route. But I also want to be able to receive the qualifications. The course advisor claimed that once you're qualified you won't have a problem getting hired.

Would love your input on this, thank you very much

I did an evening course at my local college for 4 years and told my employer and friends who gave me a few easy jobs to do which built up my confidence and gained loads of experience, now i sub contract for a local plumbing and heating company.