Should I go into plumbing

[yesterday]

I'm a female and am a young 52 year old. I was thinking on going to train fast track in plumbing but I'm not sure the best way to do it. I have an interview in Chessington on Wednesday (I live in Poole). It cost several thousand pounds. the training centre is at Chessington so it is a long way to go. It is imperative that I start earning quickly as I am on my own and therefore have to support myself. It is a lot of money to me (all my savings). I was my mothers' carer until she past away, and since then I have been unemployed. Any advice would be much appreciated. I'm chewing my nails to the bone,. HELP!

[boxtops]

It seems a long way to go for a training course - surely in Bournemouth/Poole there should be something nearer at your local FE college or Adult Ed centre? I applaud your starting out again, well done! Have you done any sort of work with local plumbers to see if you really like it, before you lay out all that money?

[Count-A-Strong]

At the moment the building industry is in a very bad state so jobs for plumbers are not as prevalent as they were. Just something for you to consider. Have you looked around at how many jobs are being advertised locally?

[tamborine]

don't think its a wise move as lots of plumbers arrive from E.Europe daily who work a lot cheaper than locals.

[AlBags]

I do quite a bit of plumbing/radiators, TRV and leak problems in the course of my business.
There is a good living to be made as a good plumber. If you have some patience and like working tidily, you may well do ok at it.
You will need a few bits of kit, bending tools for copper, and a pipe freezer, but they should last a long time.
Now is the time to practice on central heating and copper systems!

[dzug2]

You need to check that this course in plumbing leaves you with a useful qualification at the end of it - many of them do not and leave you needing further training before you would be allowed to work.

[craft1948]

My plumber (self-employed) has been training his daughter, she's obviously going to college as well. I asked him if she was going to take over his business when he retires in about 5 years time. He said she was going to work for British Gas to be sure of a regular income.

[wazzamatter]

Please do not fool for this scam yesterday I can assure you that it takes years and years to learn a trade and not just some fastrack scheme.

You may well end up with the qualification at the end of the day but you will have no hands on practical experience and I can assure you if you get a job then you will only last a day as employers will know that after an hour or two.

These schemes are just set up to con you

[boxtops]

Yesterday, it may not be what you want to do, but if you need to earn, have you thought about being a care assistant? your experience with looking after your mum may stand you in good stead, and there are plenty of care agencies who may be willing to give you bank work if you have the right skills. I don't want to dissuade your ambition but you say you need to work, and this could help while you are checking out the alternatives. Sounds like you have some good advice here from those who know about plumbing!

[yesterday]

I am exteremely grateful for all your comments. Please keep them coming. I don't have any experience at all in plumbing. And yes I am on JSA. I will most definately talk to them about re-training. I have a funny feeling you may have to be unemployed for at least 6 months????. although I'm not sure. If I was to take re-training would they stop my benefits?? I hate taking off the state, but I would be on the streets otherwise. My mother brought me up to pay my own way as indeed she did. Any comments are very welcome.

[yesterday]

Great News EDDIE51. I'll be in the Jobcentre tomorrow first thing. Ta.

[alavahalf]

Have you ever had any experience as a plumber or is it just a thought at this point..?
It has it's good times and it's not so good...only last week I had to lie on my back on a kitchen floor...head inside the cupboard. The cupboard was litterd with small green growths that had a stale musty smell to them... when I come to get up my shirt was stuck to the floor... I dont think the house had been cleaned in years.
Then there's that other old favourite... that truly not to be mistaken smell that you often get as you lie across the toilet lid as you try change a toilet seat... the seat wont come undone as the screws are corroded through with urine... it will certainly stop you biting your nails though.
Beyond all that plumbing is not the great mystery that some plumbers would have you believe...though I'm not sure that you should spend thousands on a course.
There are a number of Home improvement agencies around who employ hanymen..if you were to approach one and offer some volunteer work...theres always the chance that you will get some on the job experience.... tap washers, taps, cistern problems etc.
I'm sure that an intensive course is not the way to learn as there are just too many aspects to plumbing... I'd say it was a general apptitude along with on the job training that will get you into the field.If you go it alone who will you turn to if you have a problem beyond your scope...I'm lucky in that I have a phone number to a guy who knows everything.

After all you are breaking into what is commonly thought to be a mans world.
But if you asked me if their was an opportunity for a Lady Plumber... I think you will be snowed under after a bit of advertising... a pink van with a big dripping tap on the side of it ... you can't go wrong....good luck.!

[Panic Button]

Most plumbers suffer bad backs and knees because of the areas they have to work in.

At 52, are you ready for that?

[yesterday]

Hello Alavahalf. Your message made me laugh so much. Pink van eh! I was thinking of using my gender to my advantage, an electrician friend of mine once said if I went into his line of work I would get work.

Hello Panicbutton. Now I'm worried. My back isn't brilliant, and I once broke my kneecap. Doesn't sound good does it.

Hello EDDIE51. I couldn't go back into Caring, I,m afraid I get too attached. It broke my heart when my mother passed away. Actually I get quite upset when I know anybody finally goes.

What I would like to say is considering that I am on my own, and have to fend for myself, what should i ask the jobcentre for training in? I need to learn fast and earn a good wage.