Apprentice Plumber??

jackfinzo2

Hi guys I am 19 and want to become an apprentice plumber. If you have any tips, things to look out for, reasons to or not to become one etc can you please let me know!
Would ye reckon I am better off looking to train with 1 self employed man or with a business with many employees? If ye think business would be the better way to go have ye any suggestions?
I know of a guy who fits and maintains oil boilers and I'm pretty sure gas too. He seems pretty busy so there may be a chance he will take me on?
I'm not sure but I think id prefer working in peoples houses doing oil and gas etc rather than on site?
Based in Galway.
Absolutely any info is appreciated, Thanks a mill Jack.

dpofloinn

Where to start?

I suppose the first step is find someone who is willing to give you a start, and as I'm sure you know apprenticeships are not as easy to get as they once where.Have you decided if you want to do domestic or industrial plumbing? . I would suggest not being too choosy to begin with. Take what you can get initially and in time you could think about changing employer. Working for a one man operation can offer you one to one mentoring but so can working for a larger company. Don't be so dismissive of site work, this is generally where most apprentice's start to learn their trade, as you get a better appreciation of how other trades work with each other, the basics of plumbing can be more easily demonstrated on sites and there is greater scope for making mistakes as they can be more easily rectified ( you'll find this out to your cost when you mess something up in an occupied house)

I would suggest that you don't limit your education by working for a company that only specialize in one area ie: only do showers or only do boilers and nothing else. I have seen guys do a 4 year apprenticeship and all they know after it is how to insulate pipes or chase walls and floors.

When starting an apprenticeship you will need 2 things a good attitude and a thick skin. You need to be prepared to work long hours, for very little money, and be prepared to do the worst jobs and get a tonne of abuse ( if you are unlucky enough to end up working with/for a b@strd. Trust me there are plenty of them out there).


As for asking the boiler service guy. That might be a good staring point but you will have to figure out if he is a plumber because as it stands anyone can set themselves up a oil boiler service engineer. He may be a good engineer but know nothing about plumbing. I know a few guys like this myself.

jackfinzo2

Yes I suppose the main thing to do at the start is to see and try as many aspects of plumbing as I can. Thanks a mill keep it coming !

dpofloinn

What else do you want to know?

jackfinzo2

1. Reasons to or not to become plumber?
2. I wanted to become a carpenter from a young age but have turned to plumbing for a few reasons... if your a carpenter you never have enough tools/machinery/space!! (only tradesmen will understand that) Although I am good and neat with my hands I do struggle with coming up with a design, and I believe that's a main part of carpentry. Better pay as carpenter doesn't need papers to do a job plumber does (e.g gas).
3. Any suggestion of people/ businesses to ask to take me on in Galway area?
4. Questions to ask anyone who may take me on?
5. Rough idea of what wages to expect per week at the start?
6. Anyone who may have started an apprentice lately in any of the trades have any tips,pros/cons etc?

Thanks I really do appreciate it!!

dpofloinn

1. Reasons to or not to become plumber?

I cant give you reasons on why you should or shouldn't try to become a plumber that is a question for you. All I can tell you is that its a great job if you like to challenge yourself , but it does come with more than its fair share of sh1t (literally)

2. I wanted to become a carpenter from a young age but have turned to plumbing for a few reasons... if your a carpenter you never have enough tools/machinery/space!! (only tradesmen will understand that) Although I am good and neat with my hands I do struggle with coming up with a design, and I believe that's a main part of carpentry. Better pay as carpenter doesn't need papers to do a job plumber does (e.g gas).

I think you may have a few misconceptions about plumbing and carpentry. Plumbing does require a van load of tools in most cases more than a carpenter would require. Agreed lot of carpentry is design , but plumbing has a huge design element to it as well from designing a suitable heating system to a bathroom refit.
Better pay that is debatable as the old saying goes ''where there's muck there's brass'' plumbers are all ways needed because things will break down, things will leak, and pipes will block.
Yes its true you need to be a certified RGI to work with gas, but that's where it ends. Plumbing is probably one the most un regulated trades out there

3. Any suggestion of people/ businesses to ask to take me on in Galway area?

Sorry I can't help you with this one. All I can suggest to you is that you ask anyone you know in a trade if they have any contacts or or could put in a good word for you with someone. Alternatively I would suggest going to the phone book and chance calling any plumbers or mechanical service companies within an area you are willing to travel to

4. Questions to ask anyone who may take me on?

Any chance of a start?

5. Rough idea of what wages to expect per week at the start?

That will vary wildly from employer to employer but you could expect somewhere from 170 to 210 PW. Apprenticeships are exempt from minimum wage, because you are getting knowledge as part payment for your labor

6. Anyone who may have started an apprentice lately in any of the trades have any tips,pros/cons etc?


Its a fair while since I served my time but apprenticeships don't change much.

Ask questions if you are unsure about something and don't be afraid to ask the same question a couple of times. I know Id rather a lad ask me something 20 times and do it right than not ask and fock it up.
Never stand around with your hands in your pockets if you have nothing to do, ask for something you can do. Use your initiative and find something use full to do. If things are quiet or its a slow day ask your mentor to show how to do something or how it works.
Familiarise yourself with fittings, piping and tools. You will spend a lot of time being used as a go-for, so knowing your 1/2'' from your 15 mm, your 310s from your 311s, and your 3/4 X 1/2 from your adjustable this will help you avoid bollockings.
All ways have a notebook and a pencil in your pocket. You will need this to jot down things like standard measurements, lists and instructions.
Try and be flexible both with with your time and attitude.The job isn't all ways 8 to 5 and you probably will not get to do much plumbing in your first year .You will become very familiar with kango's and shovels.

jackfinzo2

thanks a mill for all your time and info dpofloinn! I really do appreciate it! As far as tools go id still say plumbing requires quite a lot less. maybe not tho!! Thanks Jack.