- Joined
- 19 Jul 2007
- Messages
- 5,949
- Reaction score
- 1,143
- Country
What is a 'time served' plumber?
- Thread starter omegaman
- Start date
Sponsored Links
- Joined
- 7 Dec 2009
- Messages
- 103
- Reaction score
- 8
- Country
Over here there is, you can't trade as a Plumber on the IoM unless you have a trade card, and to get one of those you need the rest
For time-served, read experienced.
In reality, an NVQ takes 3 years, as there isn't much point in doing less than an NVQ level 3...
On top of that, expect to struggle through your first 3-4 years on your own.
So, starting at 16, doing 3 years - your 19, then your slowly gaining that vital knowledge & experience and not until your at least 23 could you expect anybody to imagine you know what your doing...
For 23, read 28.
I've been very lucky with my career so far, in that I'm 24, I've worked in Installation, Service & Repair and I've also taught, assessed, verified and lectured, and now I'm back on the Service/Repair side of things at BG *awaits abuse*
However, even with all that experience, I'd say I'm still 4-5 years away from being on top of my game. You'll never stop learning, ever. But you'll plateau with the mistakes and guesswork, and your subconscious will stop you turning those spanners the wrong way to loosen a nut, or changing that PCB when its the APS etc. etc.
In reality, an NVQ takes 3 years, as there isn't much point in doing less than an NVQ level 3...
On top of that, expect to struggle through your first 3-4 years on your own.
So, starting at 16, doing 3 years - your 19, then your slowly gaining that vital knowledge & experience and not until your at least 23 could you expect anybody to imagine you know what your doing...
For 23, read 28.
I've been very lucky with my career so far, in that I'm 24, I've worked in Installation, Service & Repair and I've also taught, assessed, verified and lectured, and now I'm back on the Service/Repair side of things at BG *awaits abuse*
However, even with all that experience, I'd say I'm still 4-5 years away from being on top of my game. You'll never stop learning, ever. But you'll plateau with the mistakes and guesswork, and your subconscious will stop you turning those spanners the wrong way to loosen a nut, or changing that PCB when its the APS etc. etc.
Sponsored Links
Some comeback - A M8 who`s been in British Rail for 30 + years told me there is an intake of 200 " apprentices" a year NATIONALLY that`s all . FFS I thought he meant regionally . BR , NCB , Shipbuilding , N.Sea Oil . " The white heat of technology" Where did they all go .. Never mind , so long as house prices continue to risePosting @ 10.30 in the morning - home @ 4.30 PM. You`re the lucky one - don`t you think of all those BG / Centrica shareholders you are cheating
.................................Is that enough abuse for you Wikipedia is your friend.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apprentice
It dates from medieval times and it was traditionally a 7-year indentured apprenticeship, during which the apprentice lived in the master's house and got training and lodging. The master would usually be paid by the apprentice's parents. Apprentices had a reputation for a hooligan element, probably similar to today's hoody gangs.
The system is less used because most artisans can now read (so the 'watch and learn' training is less critical) and there is less skill involved in most trades than formerly (power tools, improved materials and techniques, etc).
The apprentice tradition is more observed in Germany and both artisans and professionals get more respect (and pay) since their abilities are thought to have been earned.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journeyman_years
D
DeltaT2
A 'time-served' Plumbers is all we'll employ. A TS Plumber will always get a job with any firm before a CC/CCC.
A 4 year apprenticeship, on-site & college training. This will give you a job for life.
http://www.becomeaplumber.com/
A 4 year apprenticeship, on-site & college training. This will give you a job for life.
http://www.becomeaplumber.com/
D
DeltaT2
What a load of drivel, we have many time-served Plumbers in their 20s,30s & 40s. Most of whom are keen sportsmen, don't smoke, but drink - like most men of that age do. They're family men with a wife, 2.5 kids & a mortgage.
These guys have a career for life & enjoy a good living cause they work very hard for it.
All bona fide firms I know will not employ a Plumber that's not time-served.
<sfx soundtrack of "coming home" (in the Hovis ads) in the background>
When I were a lad, the local shipyard took in more than that in the one town. The training schools got pulled down years ago !
I don't think they've ever stopped taking on apprentices, but the numbers are a lot smaller and I don't think there's all that much "training school, learn the basic skills first" goes on these days.
Mind you, back then they employed 16,000, now I think it's around 3-4,000 with a lot outsourced.
Ahh, nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
Of course, they turned out loads of "time served" tradesmen (and a few women). But you'd not want to employ an electrician to wire your house - not unless you wanted it all done with rubber covered singles, all black, and all neatly clipped to the surface with each clip made to fit the number of cables in the bundle.
D
DeltaT2
You'd employ someone that's served their time in a shipyard, before some daft ex-lorrydriver that's done a mickey mouse six week course!!
Granted there's a limited amount of apprenticeships available, but there's still a few and the kids that are coming into the trade now, are much better educated. We were all as thick as mince when we started our time in the 70s...........
Granted there's a limited amount of apprenticeships available, but there's still a few and the kids that are coming into the trade now, are much better educated. We were all as thick as mince when we started our time in the 70s...........
If I was taking on a young apprentice then I would find it very difficult to choose from the applicants as virtually all of them now have well below average qualifications.
To put that into perspective, about 49% of kids now go to uni!
About 51% get five GCSEs at grades A-C including maths and english.
Virtually all of that 51% will be the ones who go to uni so the remainder will be those with the poor GCSE passes.
I had a long chat with the fellow at Installer Live who was promoting apprenticeship giving.
The new Government poroposals have doubled the number of apprenticeships for each of the last two years. Albeit from a very low figure.
Tony
To put that into perspective, about 49% of kids now go to uni!
About 51% get five GCSEs at grades A-C including maths and english.
Virtually all of that 51% will be the ones who go to uni so the remainder will be those with the poor GCSE passes.
I had a long chat with the fellow at Installer Live who was promoting apprenticeship giving.
The new Government poroposals have doubled the number of apprenticeships for each of the last two years. Albeit from a very low figure.
Tony
D
DeltaT2
The problem is Tony; the UK & Scottish governments think that a Plumbing/Heating apprenticeship is for the dafties leaving Skool, so they can fudge the unemployment figures. But as a trade, we must only employ the high achievers, it's the only way we'll get the message through.
Here's my advice for what it's worth; if you're thinking of taking on a kid & we all should take on more if the work load permits?
If you know a Joiner, Carpenter, Spark or good any tradesman, ask how well their kids are doing at Skool, if they've got good grades, then ask if they'd like to try a trade rather than going to Uni.
DIYnot Local
Staff member
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local
Sponsored Links
