Are plumbing courses just a pipe dream?

Sizable numbers of prospective plumbers have been investigating plumbing courses, prompted by promises of steady, enviable pay. Is there any truth behind the suggested riches plumbing courses offer?

Are the riches, flexible hours and job happiness of a plumbing career all just a pipe dream? Plumbing courses and the press have been the first to make a fuss about the positives of enrolling on a plumbing course, but do these promises actually check out?

It is true that a number of plumbers are currently charging an incredible wage. London is one region in particular where there are unfortunately not enough plumbers to meet demand. A basic grasp of economics identifies the laws of supply and demand, and at the moment in London, industry forces are thoroughly in the favour of the plumber, so much so that some are charging in excess of £90 per hour. But why is there the current shortage of plumbers?

The reason there are so few plumbers in London and other cities is the past recession which occurred in the 80s and 90s. During this period many plumbers were forced to find more stable jobs as the demand for their abilities dramatically decreased Plumbing companies themselves were forced to make redundancies and cut the apprenticeships they could offer.

This may suggest caution at the front end of a fresh recession, yet university students, school leavers, mature students and ex-services personnel, among others, are all signing up for plumbing courses which they believe will open the door to incredibly good earnings, predictable work, flexible hours and a whole ream of other fantastic benefits.

One of the difficulties facing the industry is the encouragement young people are getting from their teachers to aim for higher education instead of a vocational path such as plumbing. With the steep hike in tuition fees it is thought that this will be different in the future, with many unable to pay for university.

One more issue facing some plumbing courses is the shortage of experienced teachers, caused by the substantially higher wages plumbing teachers can make by doing real plumbing work instead. To explain this point; why would someone settle for £25,000 a year as a plumbing courses teacher when they can earn double that working as a real plumber?

Of course, there are fantastic plumbing courses and brilliant plumbing courses teachers available, you just need to know where to find them. Meanwhile, the plumbing world continues to do well and the young blood which the trade desperately needed is beginning to flow once again. There are great plumbing courses around, but you have to be smart when you pick your plumbing courses provider.

Things to consider when choosing a plumbing training provider

Choosing a training provider that offers quality plumbing courses can be difficult as there are so many to choose from. Here we look at some important considerations when determining which provider is the best for you.

With an abundance of plumbing training providers all claiming to be the best, it isn’t surprising that many people struggle with the initial decision; which provider to choose. Some will be more suited to your needs based on the level of support they provide and the quality of the training. Here are some of the factors you should consider when making your choice. 

How big is the plumbing training provider?

Bigger companies have the funds and resources to offer a large range of courses. This often means they are the only ones to provide certain niche courses. These niche courses may help set you apart from others with similar qualifications, particularly if you are looking for employment in the industrial sector. One downside is that some large companies try to offer too many courses and as a result service quality is reduced. A balance should be found where quality is maintained and a range of courses are offered.

How many people are in each class?

Individuals who take plumbing courses within a small class environment find they get a better level of service. Tutors are able to give everybody an equal amount of time and support. Resources are stretched in larger groups and individuals will find there will be a limited amount of hands on learning. You are likely to get better results if you have the support of your tutor; therefore class size is an important consideration.

How long have they been in their premise?

Ask how long the plumbing course provider has been situated at their current address. Some companies tend to offer courses in the most popular trade at the time, and frequently move location. These providers are typically interested only in revenue and profit and do not invest significant time in their students. You should also ask about their history and whether they have ever changed their company name. A name change could suggest that they are trying to rebrand themselves after receiving negative publicity.

Are you communicating with a salesperson or the company directly?

Speak to plumbing training providers directly for the answers to your questions. Intermediary salespeople will often make promises they are in no position to make just to guarantee the sale. It is likely they will pass you onto the cheapest training provider so they can retain a larger portion of the profit. The quality of plumbing training from these providers is often poor as it is being offered at such a cheap price. You should be wary of using intermediary salespeople as they may be trying to rip you off.

Are you considering a local college?

As a mature student you may find that a further education college isn’t the best match for you. Their main focus tends to be on young school leavers and the resources available to adult students aren’t always a top priority. Unfortunately further education colleges are underfunded compared to private companies and consequently may have a lesser standard of facility. Private plumbing training providers have the scope to offer flexible courses to suit your lifestyle whereas local colleges have to stick to a schedule which may not meet your specific needs. Anyone looking into plumbing training providers should consider the benefits and drawbacks of a local college before committing. 

All of these factors should influence your decision. Being well informed will make your choice a lot simpler. If you are still in need of reassurance then seek out reviews and read testimonials from previous students for an insider’s perspective.

Through your research you will find only a small number of companies will meet all of your requirements. Access Training (http://www.accesstraininguk.co.uk/plumbing-courses/courses-in-plumbing) offer a range of plumbing courses from their purpose built facility. They pride themselves on the quality of their training and boast a pass rate of over 95%.

Boom-time for Women on Plumbing Courses

More and more women are enrolling on plumbing courses and there is serious money to be made as a female plumber. This article goes into more detail about plumbing courses for women.

Increasing numbers of women are getting into plumbing and enrolling on plumbing courses. Stopcock, a network of female plumbers in the UK, are really keen on promoting plumbing courses to women as they are aiming to have a female plumber in every UK city by 2015. So why are so many women getting involved in plumbing courses?

Well it turns out that there is an awful lot of money to be made by women who have taken plumbing courses. Many female, as well as male, homeowners do not feel completely comfortable with male plumbers. Of course men who have taken plumbing courses, especially good reputable plumbing courses, are no better or worse than their female counterparts but, sadly, a few bad eggs have given male plumbers a bit of a reputation. 

Another reason is that some women may feel uncomfortable having an unknown man in their house when they are alone. Of course there is really nothing to fear, but it is understandable that some people might feel nervous. Female plumbers who have been trained on top-notch plumbing courses are a good solution to this problem.

Another factor is trust. Many people, both male and female, sometimes feel that they could be getting ripped off by their male plumbers, especially if they are treated like they do not understand simply because they have not taken plumbing courses themselves. Women have been shown to be far better co-operative communicators which means that women who have taken plumbing courses are more likely to thoroughly explain to their customers what they are doing. This means that the clients of women who have taken plumbing courses are less likely to feel that they are getting ripped off.

In the past, women who have taken plumbing courses and qualified as plumbers have found it difficult to find work. This is partially due to the fact that some, less open-minded and more old-fashioned people, do not believe that women really know what they are doing. However, the number of women enrolling on plumbing courses nowadays suggests that this sort of sexism is in the past, and the success of groups such as Stopcock shows that women who take plumbing courses have a great plumbing future ahead of them. Especially since plumbing is such a lucrative area these days.

To find plumbing courses near you, whether you are male or female, a rookie or an experienced layman, take a look at the Access Training website http://www.accesstraininguk.co.uk/plumbing-courses/courses-in-plumbing. Access Training has a range of plumbing courses to suit you and your lifestyle. The plumbing courses offered are all City & Guilds accredited so, no matter how, why and when you study, you will have a real qualification at the end of all of our plumbing courses.