Career change to plumber or electrician

Stu6781

Hi everyone

I’m 27 years old and looking at a career change. Having always been in an office role I’m now looking to change into a more hands on role. I’ve narrowed it down to either an electrician or plumber.

Would anyone be able to give any advice to the genuine pros and cons to career changing to either of these, and how tricky it will be for me coming from a completely different background.

Thanks all

pogofish

Plumbing conversion courses have been very popular for adults looking to retrain and get into better paid offshore work round here. Lots of jobs on the rigs depend on skill with pipes and valves.

Never mind that there looks to be a lot of work to be had in the building trade itself what with with renovations to existing properties and thousands of new ones planned over the next twenty years.

Then, trades with electrical/control gear qualifications are amongst the next most sought-after.

Some of the best paid people I know are plumbers who moved-on and-up.

Smodlet

Whichever option you choose, you had better not be afraid of spiders.

Brynsam

Either would be an excellent career move. My plumber charges £90 + VAT per hour, so I think you could be on to a winner!

lincroft1710

Brynsam wrote: »

Either would be an excellent career move. My plumber charges £90 + VAT per hour, so I think you could be on to a winner!

Are you in central London?

ReadingTim

A knowledge of basic plumbing and wiring is a useful life skill for any homeowner (or aspiring homeowner), so maybe see if you can do any introductory evening classes in each and see which appeals more.

Alternatively, buy a book like this, read the relevant chapters on each, and decide which is easier to get your head around.

Smodlet

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Are you in central London?

Darned straight. I know what I would say to any plumber who tried to charge anything like that... But I know it makes a difference where you are.

eamon

There is good money to be made in either trade, commercial and industrial pay better than domestic and by a significant margin. But you need to get trained and qualified. There are adult apprenticeships to consider and that is the best method imho. Don't waste your time and money on online courses.

dawyldthing

Well I got charged £40 for someone to clear the guttering and they were only here 15 min max, so £90 for a Plummer for an hour doesn’t seem that bad

Smodlet

dawyldthing wrote: »

Well I got charged £40 for someone to clear the guttering and they were only here 15 min max, so £90 for a Plummer for an hour doesn’t seem that bad

Were there 2 of them and do they usually clean windows (badly)?

System

My friend who was an electrician would always advise to work under a company, or for a company on their premises (like an electrician in a factory). The reason why for him was that self-employed, he couldn't get to sleep at night because he was so stressed out that his work may cause a fire or shock someone. In the end, he had to stop it was bothering him that much.