GeordieSteve Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Now then, I really fancy a change. IT is a dead end job these days, lots of stress for not a GREAT deal of money. I've been looking into the plumbing/gas side of things and am looking for courses/home study in order to get into it all. Is there anyone out there that can advise me on any material or courses I should be attending? Anyone been here and done it before can give some advice? Ta now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 I was thinking about this. One of my mates work in London as a Plumber and earns £800 a week, clear.... and he's 22 Makes you wonder if that degree was worthwhile! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Steve, friend's dad is an independant plumber, I'll try and ask. I know Corgi certification is required for gas people, unsure if there's an equivalent for plumbers. Trying to get my head around there being any 'learn at home' type of things for this career as it's quite practical based? Apprenticeships I would have thought would be the way to go before launching off on your own. Also considered electrician as a career? Tho admittedly it's more risky. IT's not a dead end career, but I suppose that's dependant on where in the field your specialties lie? I work in IT and don't think it's closed off... I agree though it'd be nice to have another trade you could apply if times are sparse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsween Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Makes you wonder if that degree was worthwhile! Work offshore and it certainly is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Plumbing is not an easy game to be good at, lots to learn and to be taken seriously you need to be corgi reg'd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Work offshore and it certainly is Mine works kinda well as it is to be honest... lots of other folk aren't so lucky these days though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Steve, friend's dad is an independant plumber, I'll try and ask. I know Corgi certification is required for gas people, unsure if there's an equivalent for plumbers. Plumbing is plumbing - same Corgi for gas and water. It's something I've thought about too, but I'm very much a DIY plumber - I take so damned long to achieve anything that I'd never make a living at it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 I did an introductory plumbing course at my local college in the summer. For me, I did it so that I'd know how to do basic stuff around the home, but some others there used it as a springboard to set up business as a plumber. In their case, they needed to to do another course at the college before they could realistically set themselves up. The first course was non-examined, but the second one was. JamieP knows far more about it than I do, but I agree with him: the training is only the start of it. Go for it if you fancy it, but be aware that loads of office workers have gone down this route recently (ex City bankers etc etc), and as a consumer of such services, I'd rather employ someone who enjoys what they do rather than someone who's got bored of sitting in an office all day, but still doesn't know what they really want to do. I'm not saying you're the 2nd type, just be aware that some potential customers might be thinking that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 I'm very much a DIY plumber - I take so damned long to achieve anything that I'd never make a living at it! You and me both! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSteve Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 IT's not a dead end career, but I suppose that's dependant on where in the field your specialties lie? I work in IT and don't think it's closed off... I agree though it'd be nice to have another trade you could apply if times are sparse. Yeah I understand learn at home isn't practical but I know it's a big task so getting to know the theory first is a great help I'm a 3rd line Windows technical server support guy. Good job but I'm hardly going to become rich from it, plus there's the constant stress and need to further develop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSteve Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 p.s. the ex misses is gonna be doing the sparky course (which is quite a lot like what she does already) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 ...I'm not saying you're the 2nd type, just be aware that some potential customers might be thinking that. When 'customers' have got water pissing out all over the place, they probably don't care whether you're enjoying your job, as long as you can make the problem go away For me, job enjoyment is pretty much directly proportional to the amount of money I make. If people phoned me up and I could make several hundred quid for stopping a leak, I think I'd be enjoying myself. I'd make my ringtone the sound of jingling cash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 I'd make my ringtone the sound of jingling cash Tell about it... the bloke I use fixes one thing and breaks two others Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmer Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Now then, I really fancy a change. IT is a dead end job these days, lots of stress for not a GREAT deal of money. I've been looking into the plumbing/gas side of things and am looking for courses/home study in order to get into it all. Is there anyone out there that can advise me on any material or courses I should be attending? Anyone been here and done it before can give some advice? Ta now! Hello bud, 14 months ago i was a Mechanic and fancied a change and more money. I got an apprenticeship with British Gas after the second week i got a brand new van, new tools, uniform, the lot so no costly outlay as if you were going it alone. Its paid too, not great but it was enough to get by. BG aren't taking any Installation Engineers (like me) on now but are still recruiting Service/Breakdown guys. Today i am ACS certified and Corgi registered, was the best choice i made for a long while. If you want anymore info drop me a PM. And good luck;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSteve Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 The only thing I'm worried about mate is although I'm not mega rich I do get a fair wage which is why I'd like to study in my spare time and keep this job up to pay the bills. Gonna be a long hard slog by the sounds of it You enjoying the job on the whole mate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmer Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Yeah it would be cut back time for a year or two, but it wont cost you anything to train, not sure how much it is to take exams etc? Plus i did lots of side courses, eg Unvented hot water which im sure costs. I enjoy the job, Im on the installation side so its a bit different but its nice to be out and about (was f'ing cold today in a garage tho!), start and finish when you want, no stress, good wage....Hard pysical work tho and my knees dont work that well now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 ....Hard pysical work tho and my knees dont work that well now! Reminds me of plumbing my downstairs toilet - I knelt down for so long I pinched a nerve and couldn't feel the toes on my left foot for 2 weeks. Fun times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmer Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Reminds me of plumbing my downstairs toilet - I knelt down for so long I pinched a nerve and couldn't feel the toes on my left foot for 2 weeks. Fun times. Haven't done that...yet! Although i do look like im smuggling tennis balls in my knees!...bad times! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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