Female training to become a plumber - how hard is it?

[loki]

I am a 34 year old mum of one who lives in north London and I am thinking about training to become a plumber. I have a useless degree in something obscure and I can't see anything else that I would really like to do.

So, I have some questions;

1) How long does it take to become a qualified plumber and how hard is it? Is it easy to be a plumber as a woman?

2) What is business like at the moment? I always see adverts about how there is a shortage of plumbers and there is a big demand for them. Is this true?

3) What is the money like?

4) How hard is it to train as a woman in a male dominated field and will I be able to find work as a female in a traditionally male environment?

5) Does anyone know of any good courses in the north London area?

If anyone can give me any advice would really apreciate it. I would preferably like to do it part time as I have my LO to look after in the day, so weekends or evenings or possibly in the day when LO starts nursery.

Thank you!

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[LUCIALIA]

You could try a home study course?
But in general if plumbing takes your fancy why the hell not, go for it!

 

[buffy27]

good for u girl.
my advice would be to specialise in something rather than general plumbing.plumbing wrecks the body on the best of days,tearing and dragging.don t get caught up in that type of work, u wont be of much use to that little kiddy in the evenings.there are many parts of the plumbing trade to specialise in that would intail handy work with good money. best of luck.

 

[obseen16]

there is a local female plumber near me, she specialises in small installations and repairs and i always see her driving around in the van. AND her company name is "The Lady Plumber" there aint no reason why you shouldnt do it, id go for it.

 

[JenT]

Hi there,


as a female plumbing student(just converting from Tech Cert 6129 to NVQ Level 2)I can, perhaps, address a couple of your questions.

Is it easy to be a plumber as a woman?

It depends on what you mean by "easy". It could be quite physical at times - shifting radiators, sanitary ware, etc, and you certainly have to be reasonably fit(in all senses)


How hard is it to train as a woman in a male dominated field and will I be able to find work as a female in a traditionally male environment?

I am from an academic background(and not a native of this country to the boot), so when I first started, it was with a great deal of angst and trepidation.
I can honestly say, if you are not excessively thin-skinned and not averse to a good deal of banter and an occasional profanity, you'll be absolutely fine in that environment. I've never had a patronising or disrespectful reaction so far, neither from tutors, students or practising plumbers.
If anything, being a female could be quite advantageous if you decide to work for a big company like British Gas, for example. A girl from my course got an apprenticeship with them, and another works for the local council maintenance dept.
.
Obviously, one has to question, whether it is an issue of merit or a some kind of sexual equality quotas at work, but that's just an illustration.

Personally, I would choose it over an office full of bitchy women anytime... sorry, sisters.

I would recommend to do it at a reputable college, not at a fast-track course.

Good luck!

 

[joosabob]

Hi everyone! I too would like to train as a plumber, my children are all off at school now and this is my last chance at doing something with my life while i'm still youngish enough! I'm the big 4-0 and my only concern is that I would look like the granny in the corner. I have an assessment coming up for a local building college, does anyone have experience of training a little later in life?

 

[kwakerdude911]

go for it - if you live north i think there are some trainers who will train you for free if you are a women - yeah if you are installing bathrooms and baths ect it can be alittle physical but replacing taps and fixing pipework is easy - ripping up skirting boards and layin pipe would be physical but replacing a tap washer or puting a new ball valve in to a toilet is not - and you have the advantage that some people would prefer to have a women plumber in their house -

 

[JSPM]

Go for it!

I started a part home study and residential course with New Career Skills in June 2009. It has been hard going working full time and studying with a family to boot but very worthwhile and fulfilling.

Nothing worthwhile should be easy!!

I have been working as a "Trainee" plumber for six months having tinkered for the last 2 years. Each job gives me additional confidence when it goes well. Indeed when it goes wrong it is important to focus on the positive aspect of rectifying the fault.

"Its not about making a mistake, its about how you get over it and learn from it!"

I have been advantaged in having an experienced plumber to seek a wealth of advice from and a member of the family in the housebuilding trade to help. It is well worth getting good contacts who you can get advice from via a quick phone call?

Being a lady should not be a bar, infact it should be a bonus. For example I understand that in the Muslim faith, men are not allowed into the Muslim household when the Muslim lady is on her own. However another lady is allowed in. Therefore when maintenance works need to be carried out this can pose a problem in a male dominated trade.

However I am aware of a lady in the North, Leeds I think, who has pretty much sown up the plumbing maintenance works within the large Muslim community. She targets her advertisement to that community and does very well indeed.

So Go For It. If you lived nearer i would definitely look at joining forces with you as I am need of assistance due to the amount of work I have coming in.

On that note . . . . I am in Kent if there is anyone interested in joining me early next year . Home - JSPM Property Development

Take care

Dave

 

[RoryD]

oh dear! Just have a go m8, only you will know if you can do it.
As Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can't.....either way you're right".

 

[kwakerdude911]

females as plumbers should be ok - yeah there are baths and toilet that need to be lifted and radiators too but a lot of work is laying copper pipes or plastic - yes there are courses out there and yes they say there is a shortage but be careful - there is a recession ?
oh and some courses if you miss a day you have to pay again -in my case i hurt my ankle and couldnt finish the 4th day
on rebooking i was told they couldnt accept me until i paid the fee for the day asthey ould oftook another person on - yeah u can cancel up to a month with this company but when u scant ascertain when u are going to have an accident -
so i am having to find 160 quid to carry on !! - i have already given then over 5 grand !
a lot of them take the **** - good luck !
OLCI you know who i mean

 

[dublin plumber]

i will take you on straight away ! over here in dublin we as employers get a grant to take on female apprentices so if you want to relocate , look me up !

 

[migoplumber]

this was posted in march !! she is already a good plumber earning lots of hard earned dosh.

thread closed.