There is no denying that the plumbing industry is always going to attract new and enthusiastic tradesmen and women. After all, the services of a plumber are always going to be in high demand. With that being said, continue reading to discover everything you need to know about the steps that you are going to need to take in order to become a plumber.
What does a plumber do on a day-to-day basis?
There are many jobs you will do on a daily basis. This includes fitting weather-proof materials, flashings, and joints to walls, chimneys, and roofs. You will also deal with emergency call-outs, as well as fixing and installing domestic appliances. You will also need to service oil and gas-fired radiators and heating systems, as well as finding and fixing faults, installing heating, drainage, and water systems, and joining, bending, and cutting fittings and pipes. You will also need to be able to measure and plan to give time and cost estimations.
Routes to becoming a plumber
There are a number of different avenues that you can take when it comes to becoming a plumber. A lot of people tend to go down the route of doing a college course and taking an apprenticeship. You will typically be able to do both together, meaning you will work some of the days and then you will attend college once or twice a week. Of course, you can do both individually as well.
If you want to go down the college route, you could do a Level 2 and Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating. You are going to learn everything that you will need in order to become a plumber, as well as receiving advice on applying for your first trainee plumbing job. In order to be accepted onto a course like this, you are going to need two or more GCSEs for a level 2 course. Acceptable grades would be A* to D. If you are trying to get onto the level 3 course, you’re probably going to need 4 or 5 GCSEs, with a minimum grade of C.
What about doing an apprenticeship? There are a lot of different options here, including intermediate and advanced apprenticeships. These can take up to four years, depending on the nature of the apprenticeship. A lot of people like to go down this route because they will be learning on the job. Also, if you impress your employer, you could end up with a full-time job at the end of it. You will be expected to have some GCSEs in order to be accepted.
What sort of skills and knowledge do you need?
Now that you have a good understanding regarding the two main routes you can go down in order to become a plumber, let’s take a look at the most important skills and knowledge you are going to need to have. You will need to be able to carry out basic tasks on a hand-held device or computer. You will be expected to have a number of physical skills too, including ~dexterity, coordination, movement, and grace. You must have the ability to work well with your hands, use your initiative, and work well with others. You also need to have a knowledge of maths, have good attention to detail, be thorough, have knowledge of building and construction, and have the ability to use, maintain, and repair tools and machines.
Modern plumbers need to be good marketers too
Once you have attained your qualifications, the hard work does not end there. You need to know how to market effectively so that you can reach a big client base. Plumber marketing involves using different local SEO strategies so that you will feature prominently in the searches whenever someone looks for a plumber in the area you are based in. From crafting a Google My Business profile to creating quality blog content and being active on social media, there is a lot that goes into this. Do not be afraid to consult a professional for assistance.
So there you have it: everything you need to know about how to become a plumber in the current day and age. We hope that you have found the information that has been provided helpful. However, it is critical to remember that once you become a plumber, you need to continue to work on your skills and to hone them. Plumber marketing is critical to make sure that you’re the go-to specialist in your local area.
