New job

[ummmm]

I know it's not very girly but my boss has said that if I go on a plumbers course he will give me all the on job training I need and a job at the end. He reckons there is a high demand for female plumbers.

Would anyone else make such a drastic job change in their 30's????

[ladyshy]

Not without researching the ins and outs of it I woudn't. Including the demand your boss was talking about.

So do your research.

And if it looks good and you reckon you' be good at it take him up on his offer.

[joby1]

My dad was a plumber and I used to help him all the time on 'foreigners', putting in central heating is alright, but when it comes to bathroom suites, waste pipes and bogs....bleurghhh!!! Some people are disgusting, we went to change a bathroom once and they hadnt even bothered to flush the chain after a poop!!! Didnt bother my dad but I heaved !! :-))

[ummmm]

Well he's a plumber/heating engineer and I already work for him in the office. I'm presuming he wouldn't mention it to me unless he thinks there is a demand. He has mentioned it before but it wasn't until today that he said he would back me if I would consider doing it.

And I know there would be a job at the end of it because I know how many jobs we have to turn down because we can't fit them in...

Or maybe he just thinks I'm sh*t at book-keeping!!!

[spurslady]

I would, It is something I am intresting in learning properly as I do the basics already if I can at home. I would also like to do some Spraky training as my dad is an electrician and when I was a kid I used to watch what he did. A car mechanics course would be good too then I can do most of the work myself.

[curlylfim]

go for it ummmm

remember

its better to do something and regret...
than never do it and always regret it...

i leave the navy in 3 years and will probaly have a change of career too, and i'll be nearly 40.....ouch

just think of the perks.....can fix your own boiler, plumbing

ps and females, in overalls, are very charming...lol

[curlylfim]

pps....wheres the 1 gone...been dieting?

[Lonnie]

And why not, a bit of 'The Gentle Touch', have you ever seen the sitcom 'Home Improvements'?, the female assistant Heidi is a fully qualified Plumber in real life, so you never know where it could end.

If you do decide to do it, Good Luck.

[ummmm]

Lol Curly

My boiler is dead....R.I.P

The thing that is making me really consider it is the amount of letters we get through from people looking for a apprenticeship but can't get one. I've been offered this already so I'm in a better position than most

[Eve]

Definitely do some research, but if you fancy the challenge and can finance everything and such then why not go for it.

Do you think you'd enjoy the job? Why not see if he can take you out with him on some to show you what it's like.

I used to look after some rented houses for my former landlord and know what a nightmare getting a plumber can be, we had a great one who used to do loads of work for us and he has far more work coming at him than he can handle and said it's very much like that throughout the trade at the moment.

Not quite sure what kind of qualifications or training you would have to do for it, or can you just learn on the job?

[Scragend]

You should definitely go for it, you've got nothing to lose have you? If you do the training and the Corgi exam and your boss will help you through it financially, you will end up with a valuable skill which you can make a good living with.

If you don't like it, you can always go back to book keeping in the knowledge that you have experience in the company's field which may help your understanding of the work.

I'm 30 and last year I suddenly went from being self employed graphic artist to a full time arts administrator, and I really enjoy the challenge. Don't think of it as a 'change of career' - think of it as another great experience and a new skill.

Good luck - let us know what you decide to do!

[raysparx1]

Hi ummmm, last year for the first time I worked on a job where the plumber was a lady, and she was good,a few things to think about though,it can be a really dirty job,and you gotta climb into lofts, put your arms under floorboards and you don.t know whats under there, clear blocked drains and toilets, and they can really honk, your character would be great cos you ain't shocked by the way blokes are, so if you fancy it go for it,you will earn a good wage and I know a lot of attitudes have changed now, female sparkys, mechanics etc, so I reckon it is a great idea,lot of studying to do though, let us know if your going to do it. xx

[ummmm]

He was telling me what courses I can do, he also says I can keep my job with him while doing it. He has offered to take me out with him to see if I would enjoy it.

I'm seeing � signs. I do his books, I know how much profit is in it.

He did say I would have to wave goodbye to my nice hands though!

[joby1]

my hands are alright :-)) You do tend to stink of flux tho!!

[curlylfim]

fiddleing with pipeing all day.......sounds heaven.......lol

hohoho........and the power tools too...........

[ummmm]

Thanks everyone......

Hello Ray xxx I think it may be to good of an oppotunity to turn down. He's a great boss and I don't think he would suggest it if he thought I couldn't handle it. Lofts and floor boards wouldn't faze me. The only thing that worries me is carrying heavy things!!!

[ummmm]

Oh God yea.....I might become obsessed with power tools!!!! I lived with a chippy for years and know it is a very unhealthy obsession

[Scragend]

Haha! Yeah! My dad is a joiner/builder and I have helped him on a lot of jobs and worked myself as a painter and decorator for a number of years. Yeah, your hands will not thank you for it, but I really enjoyed doing a physical job. You feel great when you get in, tired but satisfied. And it's really nice going to someone's house and helping them and seeing your work done and them being so appreciative and thankful. It can be a really satisfying way to make a living, and you really know you're making a difference to people's lives. Even as a decorator you find people can be overwhelmed by the difference you've made to their quality of life, so imagine what that must be like when you fix someone's boiler so they can have a bath again!

I have been on jobs removing old toilets and moving soil pipes and stuff, and although it's not pleasant work I didn't find it as bad as people say.

It can also be fun having a job where it's always a change of scenery, working in a new house with new clients. It's a bit like being in the A Team!

[raysparx1]

ummmm, most things are not that heavy, even enamel baths are quite light now, I reckon you should do it, you will not only learn plumbing, but will pick up bits of carpentry, plastering, and all sorts of little bits of info so you will be able to do most things round the house, and you will have one hell of a laugh, most people in the building trade have a great sense of humour.so do it girl.xx