Should i become a plumber?

mickysquint

hi all, just looking for a bit of advice and opinions, hope this thread is in the right place.

I'm currently working as a maintenance contractor and have been in the building and maintenance trade for a good chunk of my working life, but my contract is soon coming to an end so i'm looking at my options. The one main option i'm looking in too is maybe trying to find an plumbing apprenticeship placement and train up.

I've always wanted to become a plumber as i seem to enjoy doing plumbing jobs more than any other type in my current role. I'm 31 years old and im totally aware that its gonna involve sh*te wages for a couple of years, maybe being a dogs body for some one younger than me, and i'm completly prepared for that as long as it leads to a career. I would just like to know from any plumbers out there what their opinions on the trade are. I know the building trade is on its arse but would it be worth it in the future.

any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

sorry about the long message and thanks for reading.

V480

Anybody I know whos doing plumbing has had to move aborad to find work, other than that they are just getting odd jobs here and there. I'm not in the trade myself so can't help you more than that I'm afraid, sorry.

mickysquint

yeah i'm hearing this a lot, not sure if it's gonna be worth it to do 4 years of training to end up with nothing. thanks for taking the time to reply mate.

BostonB

Don't you have to find a company to take you on as an apprentice?

common sense brigade

I've always wanted to become a plumber

If this is your dream, then do it. Life is far too short and there are no second chances. In 4 years time job opportunities here may well have improved so I think you should take the chance. I do see apprentice plumber jobs advertised on gumtree.ie and fas.ie. Depeneding on who takes you on if you work hard there is a good chance you will be kept at the end of the 4 years.

Mrs OBumble

You cannot predict what the job market will be like in four years time.

There are plenty dodgy building jobs that were done while the Celtic Kitten was acting up. They will need fixing sooner or later. Need for plumbing will not go away.

mickysquint

BostonB wrote: »

Don't you have to find a company to take you on as an apprentice?

yeah i completely understand that there's no guarantee that anyone will take me on as an apprentice but i just wanted to gauge other peoples opinions before i sent out the 40 odd cv's that i've got here in the hope of finding some one to take me on.

not sure the building trade will ever be what it was the last few years but it has to pick up to some point at some stage so maybe its time to give it a go.

thanks all for the replies!!