Gaz711 Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 Hi there, first of all I'm Gareth aged 44 (please call me Gaz). I'm due to be made redundant end of march and I'm looking to re-invest in my self. I'm looking at getting into plumbing and electric's. I've looked at some.private establishments that offer courses but I'm after some advice of how I should go about this. Of course as I'm getting redundancy money I have to make it stretch. Obviously I don't wanna be not earning for too long. Taking into account course fees I'll have enough to last me 9 months so any advice good or bad will be appreciated. Many thanks Gaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 all of the trades are flat out, labour for a sparky/plumber (plumbers earn more) whist your doing your gas tickets. Specialise in heatpumps as there seems to be a massive shortage of plumbers who can do them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz711 Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share Posted January 18, 2021 16 minutes ago, Dave Jones said: all of the trades are flat out, labour for a sparky/plumber (plumbers earn more) whist your doing your gas tickets. Specialise in heatpumps as there seems to be a massive shortage of plumbers who can do them. So you'd recommend I do gas then? How do I get into heat pumps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 ring up a firm who fits them and see if they want a labourer to learn on cheap-ish wages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 Gaz, that's what our plumber told us 6 minutes ago, Dave Jones said: ring up a firm who fits them and see if they want a labourer to learn on cheap-ish wages. their new bloke did - he was made redundant but wouldn't give in, so he asked all round the Northwest Lancs. coastal area...... Be proactive, and persistent. Good luck. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 The sparky 1st fixing for us had an apprentice with him, he lasted 2 months. Always late, always on phone. If you got a work ethic you will breeze it, offer a week trial if you don't let them down they will snap you up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz711 Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share Posted January 18, 2021 Guys thanks for the advice, as for doing a course what is the best option? There are some local places that offer intensive courses etc and in terms of NVQ what level should I aim for for what duration.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 After the course fees there will be a van, tools, test equipment , and unfortunately learning on the job, it’s easy to understand how to size a pipe/cable but the skill comes in running pipe/cable and that comes from experience. fine if you are self building, as you are doing it to save money and could take ages, but you need this to earn a wage so needs to be done in a timely manner. in all for training but think plumbers mate electricians mate may be the most cost effective starting point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 Maybe invest in some CSCS training etc more likely to get a start if you have a ticket already and it doesn’t cost a lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz711 Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share Posted January 18, 2021 1 hour ago, TonyT said: Maybe invest in some CSCS training etc more likely to get a start if you have a ticket already and it doesn’t cost a lot I've just found a place that does that £165 with exams and CSCS card Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 wouldnt bother with CSCS unless your intending working for persimmons, taylor wimpy etc not needed on normal sites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz711 Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share Posted January 18, 2021 I'm looking at more domestic settings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 get on the phone to the local trades, one of them will give you a weeks shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 4 hours ago, Dave Jones said: all of the trades are flat out, labour for a sparky/plumber (plumbers earn more) whist your doing your gas tickets. Specialise in heatpumps as there seems to be a massive shortage of plumbers who can do them. I am not disputing that trades may be flat out in some places, but not here. 2020 has been my worst year since the 2008 crash. Thank goodness for the SEISS scheme. Generally I am finding domestic customers don't want you in their house at the moment, only for repairs that can't wait. Very little normal domestic work. I have done an unusual number if shed and summerhouse wiring and commercial is still carrying on, but very little indoor domestic. Who knows when that will return to normal and if there will be a boom as a pent up demand is satisfied when people feel it is safe once more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 2 hours ago, Dave Jones said: wouldnt bother with CSCS unless your intending working for persimmons, taylor wimpy etc not needed on normal sites. It’s not just the multinational house builders that require CSCS lots do, fully admit that the small builders don’t, but I would rather have a piece of paper that gives me more work options than not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz711 Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share Posted January 18, 2021 What's the going rate for a plumbers mate or Sparky's mate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 18 minutes ago, TonyT said: It’s not just the multinational house builders that require CSCS lots do, fully admit that the small builders don’t, but I would rather have a piece of paper that gives me more work options than not. I see a lot now that want CSCS cards as they are liable for tax etc if it goes wrong so they do it properly from the outset. @Gaz711 You can no longer do the ACOPS/ACS courses to get your gas certs without experience as the GSR requires a minimum amount of on site work (12 months from memory but could be wrong) so focusing on the ASHP side would be a smart move as there are very few traditional plumbers who understand them. Rates for site plumbers for the big house builders aren't great but they are pretty constant, but they don't go for quality. In terms of tools, whether you go sub contract or on your own, you won't get change out of £1500 for a decent set of tools and batteries etc along with some decent brand (ie Rothenberger) hand tools. The big thing you need is insurance - cutting the wrong pipe and dumping 500 litres of water through someone's ceiling can be a five figure repair bill and you need to make sure you are properly covered from the outset. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 3 minutes ago, Gaz711 said: What's the going rate for a plumbers mate or Sparky's mate? Where are you located..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 £90/110 a day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz711 Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share Posted January 18, 2021 50 minutes ago, PeterW said: Where are you located..? Birmingham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recoveringbuilder Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 4 hours ago, ProDave said: I am not disputing that trades may be flat out in some places, but not here. 2020 has been my worst year since the 2008 crash. Thank goodness for the SEISS scheme. Generally I am finding domestic customers don't want you in their house at the moment, only for repairs that can't wait. Very little normal domestic work. I have done an unusual number if shed and summerhouse wiring and commercial is still carrying on, but very little indoor domestic. Who knows when that will return to normal and if there will be a boom as a pent up demand is satisfied when people feel it is safe once more? I thought I’d nothing to do today but phone an electrician who did some work for us last March just before lockdown, needing power into the garage which we’d spoken to him about. Couldn’t get him on his mobile so phoned the house and got either his wife or mother who told me he couldn’t work unless it was an emergency! need to see if I can find another Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 4 minutes ago, recoveringbuilder said: I thought I’d nothing to do today but phone an electrician who did some work for us last March just before lockdown, needing power into the garage which we’d spoken to him about. Couldn’t get him on his mobile so phoned the house and got either his wife or mother who told me he couldn’t work unless it was an emergency! need to see if I can find another Lockdown guidelines in Scotland at the moment are tradesmen should only enter a residence for emergency work, so he is being quite correct. But my understanding is commercial work is still okay. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Probably taken the free furlough money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 (edited) Regarding the level to aim for, I think Level 3 (used to be called an 'A' Level) is the very minimum. https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels Heatpumps really require a lot of research (I got a Level 6 in them and still don't know much). The basic principles are fairly easy, it is he detail that is the killer. Traditional plumbers just cannot accept that they are a variable power source, and are physically large, and need somewhere to store the energy they produce. May be worth getting in touch with your local FE/Skills college, they offer courses, but also you get to meet people already working in the industry. I think electrical work is easier than plumbing, and the world is going electric. Edited January 19, 2021 by SteamyTea 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz711 Posted January 19, 2021 Author Share Posted January 19, 2021 There's a couple of places local that offer intensive courses, Level 2 nvq plumbing cost approx £7k 8 weeks in class room upto 2 years to complete nvq then 2 weeks ACS, Domestic Electrical Installer £2500 5 weeks class room based Level 3 nvq electrician £8k 6 weeks classroom based, 1-3 years nvq then 3 days AM2 test. Does anyone approve or disapprove over these courses (you guys are my experts) The other option would be college based but at my age that's probably not the best option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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