If you retrain and become certified as a plumber your skills will always be in demand. The building industry has clearly slowed down, but work in domestic properties is flourishing. We constantly hear how difficult it is to get someone to fix a leaking tap or sort out a bathroom toilet. Plus of course even the DIY experts need a professional plumber when it comes to fitting a new bathroom suite. So if you're looking for adult retraining, a plumbing course could be just the thing for you.
You can quickly get into profit once you've mastered the skills and passed your exams. For a professional, unbiased understanding of the industry's requirements, you can download a free copy of our indispensable guide to plumbing certifications. The information in it will help you to compare what's on offer from the different training colleges.
We recommend you download the book first and take time to get to grips with its contents. Then come back to this site and take a look at a number of the training colleges featured on the page. (By typing in 'Ctrl D' you can Bookmark this page for easy reference.)
The idea of self-employment is what attracts many men (and women for that matter) into the plumbing industry. The majority of newly qualified plumbers over the age of twenty five choose to work for themselves in the domestic market. Obviously this makes sense when you think of the level of demand in just about every town in the country.
Most domestic tradesmen and women find customers through other people they've worked for. Instructors will fill you in on all your plumbing requirements, but make sure you pay attention to your attitude to everyone. Present yourself well, and work can come from surprising sources. Treating customers respectfully and courteously will always reap rewards.
Plumbers working in the commercial environment usually work regular hours. But self-employed domestic plumbers have a different situation. Householders are often out at work themselves, and plumbers who are prepared to work some evenings and weekends can significantly boost their income.
There's always work available for plumbers and heating engineers. Once you've got yourself trained and certified, you need to get good at promoting yourself. The work is very satisfying, as you're either seeing a job through from beginning to end, or solving problems for people when emergencies occur. There's also a lot of variety, as you work in different homes with different clients. Plus you get to choose to work you take on.
To be competitive but still make decent money you'll need to get good at quoting accurately for jobs. You can either charge a daily rate, or a price for the job.
Whichever you do, make sure you've included all your expenses. You'll get into the swing of things once you've done a few. Look for training companies that help out with this.
You can take City & Guilds training for various plumbing courses in both further education colleges and commercial colleges. Young trainee plumbers in their teens tend to go for work experience as well as college to get practical NVQ certifications as well.
On the other hand, adult students who are looking to change careers tend to train part time. The commercial colleges are more geared up for their needs, as their courses are less rigid and focus more on the high-demand skill-sets.
Students will progress through their training quicker with commercial companies, so although the fees are more expensive, they're in a position to start earning money much faster.
Useful Add-OnsWhen you do your training course, you'll learn all about common plumbing processes and the key principles you need to know. If, like many plumbers you bolt-on a few extra skills, you'll be able to complete projects yourself without having to bring in other trades. Additional skills could be in plastering or tiling, basic electrical work or energy efficiency.
The more skills you can offer the better business you'll have. Each job will be more cost effective, and leave more money in your pocket. There'll be no waiting around for bathroom fitters or tilers if you can do the work yourself - and the customer will be much less inconvenienced.
To summarise, the most profitable and efficient way to get into the domestic plumbing market is to train with a reputable private training company.