Fast-track Plumbing Training

HarriettPotter

Hi all

Just wondered if anyone could offer any info or advice on the above. My boyf is quite unhappy in his work and is keen to get into something more practical, in particular, plumbing. His friends all work in 'trades' so to speak and his experience of this has led him to think he would really enjoy it. There is also, (as always) a money incentive too and he feels it would help us financially.

He has enquired about joining a part time course locally and continuing his current job until he is qualified enough to go out there and work. Unfortunately he was advised that places are so tight they are only offered to people who are already working in the field. Then he spotted an ad in the paper for this firm, I think they are called BTSC, who train people fast to become qualified plumbers. Basically there are 3 modules that you complete over a maximum of 18 months and the total cost, should you choose to do them all, comes in at around the £7k mark.

I have serious reservations about it as it would mean that we would borrow the money to fund it and clearly there is no guarantee of work at the end of it. I wondered if anyone else had any thoughts or knowledge on these kinds of schemes. I have been told that there was a radio programme on the other day that talked about it and it wasn't exactly favourable for the reasons I have mentioned above. Plus the qualifications apparently dont stand up to much?

Grateful for any comments.

H

CIS

Even if he has the qualifications he needs to sort out experience either after the course or during it . A lot of employers value experience more than qualifications.

metalmickey_2

Did he attend the course?

Im Thinking of taking the same course, BTSC its about 5k for the first 8 modules. Its alot of cash but leads to an offer of a placement at the end of the first section.

I went for an interview last year and was offered a place but couldnt accept due to work commitments. Im being made redundant now so intend to persue.

Section 1 : Qualified bathroom fitter (5K)
Section 2 : Corgi fitting (3K)
Section 3 : Corgin inspection. (2k)

The interview is an assement for suitability, but at the end of the day its a paid for course.

After section 1 you'll be offered a placement which you will be asseses over a period of 6 months. After this i think you're a fully qualified Plumber. If you want to continue the course, you pay for the next section. If you dont, you can start your own business or get a job plumbing.

The modules are based on a flexible bookable basis. You must book a week of training, then you have 3-5 weeks to practice/study for the end of module assessment. If you pass the module you continue, if you fail you have to retake and cant move onto the next module until youve passed.

Im planning to undertake this course along with a weeks tiling and plastering courses. This should give me the flexibilty to work if i need to whilst im studying/training.

peter999

metalmickey wrote:

Did he attend the course?

Im Thinking of taking the same course, BTSC its about 5k for the first 8 modules. Its alot of cash but leads to an offer of a placement at the end of the first section.

I went for an interview last year and was offered a place but couldnt accept due to work commitments. Im being made redundant now so intend to persue.

Section 1 : Qualified bathroom fitter (5K)
Section 2 : Corgi fitting (3K)
Section 3 : Corgin inspection. (2k)

The interview is an assement for suitability, but at the end of the day its a paid for course.

What did you think of BTSC, as you have visited & had an "interview" ??

Building Trade Skills Centre:
http://www.btsc.co.uk/

I phoned them recently, but they won't discuss fees over the phone.
Also experienced plumbers have said Fast Trackers don't find it easy getting placements & the experience.

BTSC promise a lot over phone, but my main concern is they just want to "sign you up" to an expensive training course.

There's a lot of competition in plumbing these days.

peter999

balhambird

I'm not familiar with this training organisation, but am familiar with the industry and the qualifications that are recognised. This centre does offer the recognised City & Guilds qualifications, which is good. They also distinguish between the 'technical certificates', which you study at college (generally as an apprentice to a plumber), and the NVQs, which are what identifies you as competent, and are assessed on the job, ie you need to be employed. You would need the NVQ to be recognised as a qualified plumber and these can take years to achieve, depending on the level. That's not meant to be off-putting, but although plumbing is hands on, it's really engineering and takes a long time to learn. So-called short courses are never going to qualify you as a competent plumber, or any other construction trade, although they may provide you with a small amount of knowledge. Contact City & Guilds if you're if any doubt about who to go with.

yogi3

Are these courses any good? Prices from £249.

h##p://www.getplumbing.co.uk/

Are there any other costs involved?

metalmickey_2

I went for the interview and its really a bit of a sales pitch but having said that, its cheaper than most other courses. Having spoken to one of the replresentatives i get the impression that they just "sell" the course.

ive seen a couple of 2 month courses which are around 6K where the 12 month BTSC is 4.8K

I see the training part as the only way to get into the business and get qualified. And with the fact that you can take upto a year to do it with all the assistance you require and almost ulimited use of the facilities its the best bet for my circumstances. Ive been on a plastering course and intend to do a tiling course also so i have a full mix of skills to complement the plumbing. I hopefully will be able to use them until im qualified.

Im being made redundant at the end of Jan and want to retrain. Essentially its upto me to get the best training i can out of the course. If i go everyday and am around other like minded people who want to learn then i can only blame myself if i dont succeed. I think the shorter 10 week courses could leave you high and dry after your initial training. Im my case i hope to reinforce my skills over a longer timescale.

I think hard part is getting a job at the end of it, but having said that, if the only thing i use the course for is replacing my own bathroom/unblock my drains/fit a new radiator/ add a new shower etc then i'll have saved a lot of money by not paying someone else, although it may be a large investment for a small initial reward.

Its a lot of money and a big decision so weigh up what you want to get out of it.

Neil

griff.

I have been considering these courses as well - though I haven't got as far as calling them yet. Unfortunately there doesn't appear to be any in Scotland, and the qualification up here is SVQ Level 3 - you can't get onto that unless you are employed and getting day release. I think it would be worthwhile going to England for the residential courses, but like the op, I'm wary of forking out all that money.

Am I right in thinking that there is nothing to stop someone setting up as a self-employed plumber, undertaking the jobs that they reasonably can do (the simpler stuff) and improving their skills/qualifications on an ongoing basis ? Do insurance companies provide cover for Public Liability if you don't have a qualification ?

metalmickey_2

I attended the induction yesterday and i think this is possible, although im not sure how, maybe by keeping a portfolio of work.
Whilst it sounds like a lot of lolly, its quite good for what you get.

either

8 modules of i week (40 hrs of workshop time)

£4850 / 8 modules = £600 per week of training.

You do in your own time and schedule when necessary so you could do it by a "weekly commute" to south London.

there are other options which are run by olci and another company, whose name escapes me.

I also heard yesterday that they are opening sites in the next 12 months in birmingham and manchester, amongst others.

I'll start a "plog" (plumbing blog) so you can all see whats going on.

I'll post the url here when ive set it up.

griff.

"plog" - I like it...

peter999

metalmickey wrote:

I attended the induction yesterday and i think this is possible,

I'll start a "plog" (plumbing blog) so you can all see whats going on.

I'll post the url here when ive set it up.

So have you signed up for the full wack, to train to be a plumber ??

Good luck & look forward to reading your plog.

A friend of mine was always doing small building jobs outside his main job.
When he lost main job, he moved into building/decorating/plumbing fulltime as main job. He's now Corgi registered, doing work for British Gas & knows all builders in the area !!
He's built up his business, skills, experience & secured his future.
It's all very impressive.

peter999