Trainee Plumber needs experience willing for work for free.

[Thecrow001]

Hi

I am doing my level 1 and 2 technical certificate at Nottingham Community College and i am looking for experience in the working environment. I am willing to work for free in exchange for the experience.

If your Nottingham based please mail me or just reply below.

Thanks

Thecrow001

 

[lightning]

your best bet would be to try the local council, or even the job center who will try to find someone for you.

 

[Thecrow001]

i see them monday so i will be doing that.

Thanks

 

[ThatsNotPlumb]

If your going to your local jobcentre or city council, don't even suggest to them that you'd be willing to work for free.

I wouldn't suggest it at all as some people will use & abuse you, I know your trying to get experience but never do anything for anyone for free.

If your in training anyway you get a training allowence, £40 per week if your under 18 & I think its like £120 per week if your over 18.. its not paid by the employer its paid I think by the collage/or training organisation

 

[rojaca]

Unfortunately in a sector where there is such competion for positons and apprenticeshships sometimes a small initial sacrifice is necessary for your long term benefit.
I would write to as many local firms as possible including a breif c.v seeking a weeks works experience.
Your willingness may be abused, but it's 5 days and you'll be suprised how much you learn if you throw yourself in. If they try and get you sweeping up and making tee give it a day or two then say thank you very much and don't go back.

 

[Thecrow001]

If your in training anyway you get a training allowence, £40 per week if your under 18 & I think its like £120 per week if your over 18.. its not paid by the employer its paid I think by the collage/or training organisation

i did not no about that, i will look into that. do you have anymore information on it.

 

[Thecrow001]

Unfortunately in a sector where there is such competion for positons and apprenticeshships sometimes a small initial sacrifice is necessary for your long term benefit.
I would write to as many local firms as possible including a breif c.v seeking a weeks works experience.
Your willingness may be abused, but it's 5 days and you'll be suprised how much you learn if you throw yourself in. If they try and get you sweeping up and making tee give it a day or two then say thank you very much and don't go back.

i understand what your saying i will be doing that on monday, i understand i am putting alot of trust in other people hopefully there are some decent people out there,

thank you for the replys

 

[Boilerman2]

Contact the plumbin Trade associations such as HVCA, IDHE, IPHE etc, they often help apprentices gain work place experience within their membership, it is unlikely you will be abused by a member of one of tese respected organisations

I wish the very best of luck in what are difficult times

 

[Thecrow001]

Contact the plumbin Trade associations such as HVCA, IDHE, IPHE etc, they often help apprentices gain work place experience within their membership, it is unlikely you will be abused by a member of one of tese respected organisations

I wish the very best of luck in what are difficult times

thank you i will look into these websites you have given me, i look forward to many many years of doing what i enjoy and find interesting.

i just need that bit of luck to get going.

if anyone have more information about grants for tools ect. please share

 

[htgeng]

Don't waste too much time and effort writing letters. They will just get binned - sorry. Your best approach is to cold call a few local guys and explain that you are in college and just want to shadow them to learn how they do the job. Listen very carefully to what they say to gauge if they are interested or not.

I have helped out a few lads over the years do exactly that and hopefully taught them my way of soldering and doing other tasks with installing a heating system. One of those lads was 16 at the time and it was his mum who called asking me to teach him. He was in trouble with the law and was quite a tough character but he did have a lot of natural skill with tools. He sorted himself out but never quite held it together with other fulltime jobs he got ( too much attitude).

Don't buy every tool under the sun. You need a few, but good quality tools such as pipe cutters, self igniting torch. Christmas is coming so put those on your wish list rather than computer games. If you want a list of my top 10 commonly used tools I'll be happy to send you it. If you want a secondhand tool bag Ive got a one you can have as I didn't sell it at a car boot.

I was taught to solder by my landlord whilst living in Nottingham in '93. If I was still living there I would have be more than happy to have taught you the trade.

To other guys in the trade; I would encourage you to help give younger people experience if they ask. We all had to learn sometime so its only fair to return the favour.

 

[Thecrow001]

Don't buy every tool under the sun. You need a few, but good quality tools such as pipe cutters, self igniting torch. Christmas is coming so put those on your wish list rather than computer games. If you want a list of my top 10 commonly used tools I'll be happy to send you it. If you want a secondhand tool bag Ive got a one you can have as I didn't sell it at a car boot.

.

Yes the list of your top 10 tools would be very welcome, i have many tools from my old job but i know i could used a list from experienced people.

don't worry tools are on my list for christmas, and driving lessons i cant do plumbing jobs and use my bike as transport haha.

Its ok about the tool bag i have many but thank you sir and i appreciate your replys and helpful information.

 

[jay1]

my advice to you is start with family and friends houses first if you have some experience in plumbing. I guess that they are letting you do practical work in college?

I remember when i started out 4 years back it was hard to find someone to take me on, but i kept at it and eventually someone did .
So my advice is keep trying you will find someone eventually, and if they are knowledgeable at what they are doing try and stay with them for as long as you can, as it will help you in the learning process.

tools i would recommend:

Bahco waterpump pliers
Bahco adjustable spanners
Kopex pipeslice 22mm &15mm
Pipebenders
Rothenberger blow torch
Heat mat

and some good level 2 books(cant remember what its called)
it is really easy to understand the book and shows you different systems

 

[glasgowgas]

tools reqd.............


hammer

big screwdriver


this is all

 

[ThatsNotPlumb]

If your in training anyway you get a training allowence, £40 per week if your under 18 & I think its like £120 per week if your over 18.. its not paid by the employer its paid I think by the collage/or training organisation

i did not no about that, i will look into that. do you have anymore information on it.

These are the best link(s) I could find on the subject -

http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index...nment_employment_schemes.htm#Training_schemes

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/EMA/index.htm

I'm positive you are entitled to at the very minimum £40 p/week while you are in training, depending on your age & your location I'd say your best bet would be to go to your local job centre or your collage teacher & they'd be able to advise you best.

You just really need to keep your eye out for a company offering an apprentice role, sometimes they advertise them in your local job centre listings so you should visit there.

I wouldn't waste my time writing letters to places, If you've got your own transport I'd go to the various plumbing companies office(s) & make enquires on taking you on. Some of the smaller plumbing companies might not have offices, so you should phone these ones. This isn't to say letters won't work, but they'll have a much harder time ignoring you if your standing in front of them asking or doing so over the phone.

Oh & another good thing to try is make an advertisment page out for yourself saying you are looking work, with your number & a few details of the course your on, what stage your at etc.
Leave a copy in every builder & plumbing merchants you can find... heck I'd even throw one into B & Q, can't hurt.

I wish you luck in finding somewhere & if you do, make sure you aren't working for nothing. The employer or the collage/government must give you a training allowence (they might also give you travel allowence as well).. it might only be £40 p/week (at the minimum) but at least its better than nothing.






EDIT - Also, don't be buying any big tools for yourself (like pipe benders etc) unless you get an employer & he suggests it.

When I started I only bought these tools -

15mm Kopex pipeslice
22mm Kopex pipeslice
Plastic Pipe Cutters
9 inch Adjustable Footprints
Shifting Spanner(s) various sizes
Set of Screw drivers various sizes
Claw Hammer

That was it, I just gradually built up my toolbox after that buying more specialist tools like basin spanner, rad tail key, instant ignition blowlamp head etc