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General => The Shed => Topic started by: kenkew on September 02, 2005, 18:48:48

Title: Advice on plumbing courses?
Post by: kenkew on September 02, 2005, 18:48:48
Dedicated to finishing my UK plumbing training when I pack my Belgium bags in 10 days. Looked at various options, all confusing and expensive. Any wise people out there? (N/W.Yorkshire).
Title: Re: Advice on plumbing courses?
Post by: Jesse on September 02, 2005, 18:53:24
Get yourself NVQ 1 & 2 and some work experience. It's a bit late now but if you ask you may get yourself onto a course at a college, they get some drop outs from the course so you might be lucky although I've heard the courses are now in very high demand. OH retrained into plumbing, must be 4 years ago now, best thing he ever did, and is now self employed and doesn't regret one second of it. It's a hard slog though.
Title: Re: Advice on plumbing courses?
Post by: tim on September 02, 2005, 18:56:49
We LOVE plumbers!
Title: Re: Advice on plumbing courses?
Post by: Derekthefox on September 02, 2005, 18:57:04
Plumbing courses are heavily subscribed. There are basically two routes I think, local college, or private. The first option is the cheaper but resources may be limited, as may places. I presume you are looking at a City and Guilds or NVQ, or 'bolt on' courses, like Part P electrical requirements etc. The Gas route is similar but more expensive because of the certification.

I am not a plumber, but work as an electrical technician in a school of construction, hence get a familiarity with most of the basics.

Does this help, or were you after something more specific?

Derekthefox :D
Title: Re: Advice on plumbing courses?
Post by: kenkew on September 03, 2005, 08:22:14
Thanks all. NVQ and C&G are what I'm aiming at. Got some info of a course in W.Yorks, pretty expensive but the alternative is the dole which isn't my thing.
After selling my car here I should have just about enough to make it. Looks like I'm sleeping on my 83 year old mothers blow-up mattress for a while. - No kidding!
Changes in regulations here in Belgium have made it very difficult to practice complimentary medicine and disposal of 'contaminated' waste from my chiropody biz has to be done in a very expensive manner. Due to that the last few months here were ones of almost zero work, so, no option but to throw my life into the back of a van once again, possibly in about 10 days time.
Thanks again for the support.
Title: Re: Advice on plumbing courses?
Post by: Jesse on September 03, 2005, 09:13:32
Good luck with getting onto the course Ken, let us know how you get on :)
Title: Re: Advice on plumbing courses?
Post by: kenkew on September 04, 2005, 16:43:54
Would love to, but if I take the big step I'll be puter'less.
:'(
Title: Re: Advice on plumbing courses?
Post by: Derekthefox on September 04, 2005, 16:54:36
If you end up at a college kenkew, then at least you will have computer access, so you will be able to post . . .

Derekthefox  :D
Title: Re: Advice on plumbing courses?
Post by: Doris_Pinks on September 04, 2005, 17:48:26
Ken mate of ours did his plumbing degree in the evenings so he could keep up the day job, and pay for the coure!  Think it took him at least 2 years to complete, but he hasn't looked back since! (and we are sooooooooo  pleased to have a plumber as a friend! ;D )