Yes there is a shortage of plumbers and a shortage of good plumbing courses. There are plenty of rogue places where they charge a fortune for mickey mouse training and say you can be earning 拢40,000 in no time at all.
Realistically you can - with years of experience - no straight out of learning.
This is not a sexist comment but I have had this discussion with so many men aged 35 - 40! In general they hate their jobs , good with their hands , need a change of career etc
I almost think it is a stage men go through.
I would say before making a life changing decision you need to consider that to totally change career half way through your working life puts you back years.
I think you really need to understand why you feel this way. Are you prepared to earn less for a while , while you gain experience ? Why plumbing ? Why now? Would it not be more logical to presue a different angle to your current job to spice it up and make it more exciting? That way you don't go backwards - but are progressing....
If you are determined and it is what you really want to do - my advice would be to ensure you attend a proper course in a recognised intuition and spend the time required learning what you need to know otherwise you Will waste your money and not be any better off
Good luckI am thinking of changing career from an office job to plumbing I am 39 what are the plus and minus points?
self employment - long hours - no holiday pay. Chasing customers for money. customers changing their mind could add a couple of days to a job, this seems nothing - but it puts all your other customers and deliveries out plus leaves you 2/3 days out of pocket. Bathroom fitting - they are always the smallest rooms - with the smallest windows in the heat of summer they are like working in a sauna for a week. Customers that measure their own kitchens and order units that don't fit and expect you to sort it out. Customers that NEVER offer you a drink while you work.
Customers that phone you at 3.30 in the morning because the ballcock has gone on their toilet and it making a noise so if they can't sleep why should you and your family - and i'm not an emergency plumber. I went into this after i got made redundant i now looking for another job.
Hi Matthew - What Sunfunsea posted makes agreat deal of sense, but....
There are many training courses available, usually through local collegesand specialist construction trade training providers. Googling 'Plumbing Training' will give you plenty of scope for enquiries. You could also try large plumbing companies, they often provide 'in-house' training'. Avoid this type of training with small/one-man band firms, you would/could end up being nothing more than a labourer and not learn the proper skills.
Pluses -
Masses of work about and, yes, a big shortage of decent tradesman.
Megabucks to be made at it these days. 拢20.00
+ per hour, depending where you work and the type of work you do.
Interesting variety of work.
Out and about meeting new people ( if this appeals to you).
You will probably never be out of work.
Minuses -
Physically demanding.
Can be a very dirty job.
Clents expectations are, very often, unrealistic.
You can also be expected to be treated, at times, like something the dog just dumped.
Clients (some) will distrust you, irresepective of how honest (or dishonest) you are.
If you decide to go down the road of self-employment -
You will have to deal directly with
Suppliers - Banks - Inland Revenue - Customs and Excise (if you have to become VAT registered.
You will need to maintain a satisfactory set of accounts/records.
Make provision/set aside money for Insurance, Pensions, Tax Bills, Holidays
Provide and run a vehicle.
YOU will have to ensure that your clients cough up the money they owe you. The fact that you have done a satisfactory job is NOT a guarantee that you will actually get paid for doing it.
Expect bad debts because you WILL get some.
This should give you a little food for thought. I'm sure others will contribute. Good luck whatever you decide.
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