I live on the outskirts of the South East - well OK Milton Keynes and fortunately I don't often need tradesmen. However I'm led to beleive that plumbers and electricians are like gold dust (and earning big £ if they're any good). So my question is this: Which trade should I get into Plumbing or sparking ? I am competent at both but sadly always seem to back the wrong horse!
What are peoples experiences of getting these people in ? (I know you should be d-i-y ing ;)
I practice as a general handyman, but not exactly in your area (I will do if you pay enough.... ;)). Let me deal with the two trades you mention separately.
Plumbing. You try getting on a course - they are jam packed full for the next couple of years, leastways they are around here in the Thames Valley.
I was talking to the principal of our local college last week, and asked him why the college didn't offer plumbing. He said because they didn't have the square footage to fit the courses in. But more importantly he advised that he knows heads of other colleges where plumbing is on the schedule and the consensus of opinion is that in
2-3 years time plumbing will be going through what the IT industry has been the last couple of years - a shitload of people trained as plumbers and not enough work. Plus when the new EU legislation kicks into gear anyone from the very enlarged EU will be able to come and work in the UK - for a lot less money. Plumbing will be a skill they will have, or our very helpful government will give them.
End result: Lots of disenfranchised plumbers wandering about wondering what else they can do to earn a living.
Electrical. In order to practice as an electrician you will need to acquire your NVQ's, which to the ordinary bloke in the street means an apprenticeship sponsored by an employer. You'll have to go to college for 2-3 years. Then you have to become NICEIC registered and buy a shitload of test equipment (cheapest outfit is about £800). Question is, can you afford to work for diddly-squat and make cups of tea for other workers?
The new electrical regulations which are coming into force within the next 12 months will most likely prevent you offering electrical services. These regulations require issuing of certificates on completion of work. And you try finding an electrician who is willing to write a certificate on your behalf!
You might be able to get a job in B&Q assisting others with their purchases, but I fear the days of being able to do odd jobs for others in order to earn a living are drawing to a close.
To my mind, the main disadvantage of being a plumber is that it isn't only water you have to deal with. If you have the right qualifications, for either trade, getting them recognised against the French ones and moving to France seems to be the way to make money at the moment. Since the introduction of the 35 hour week, the waiting lists for trained artisans have been growing steadily and, in areas where there are a lot of British home-owners, English speaking artisans are in great demand.
Qualifications seem to about right then How about your mis-management structure? Is that on par with what some of the other companies have? Also what systems dont you have in place to deal with non record keeping and preferably under training?
The skills shortage of the near future (apart from medical) would seem to be in automotive technical. Newer cars have more and more 'systems' which the standard mechanic cant (or doesn't want to ) do anything with. Most current mechanics are too busy earning a living to take time off to retrain. It seems to be one of these areas, like early IT where a little specialist knowledge covers 90% of the job. Im not knocking current techies, either.
You did say they earn plenty if they're any good. That's just it- I think the qualities required to be a good tradesman are fairly rare!Most people IMO have not got the resilience,quick brain(partic for plumbing&elec)dexterity and coordination to be good enough no matter how hard they try.
Anyone avidly following Dilbert over the years will recognise the essential synergy between these two occupations in terms of people skills. Although I think a standard was set in "The Office" that even Scott Adams would struggle to meet ;-)
Plumbing is easier. If you get a total blockage, the plumber is just expected to fix it. PC support are expected to make things flow again, but preserve the contents exaclty how they were.
I read recently graduates dropping out of University and training for plumbing that should tell you about the sort of money that can be earned.
Plumbers are incredibly difficult to get hold of for that leaking tap/replumbing new sink etc.. they are all to busy installing CH..... big bucks in plumbing comes from fitting those £3000+ CH systems trade cost of materials about £1000 max so £2000 plus profit per job nice money for less than 2 days work.
If only it was just money. To do the work, you'll have to work for a registered company. Registered companies have to work for a year before they can be registered. Not even Kafka could make this up.
They wouldn't be graduates then, surely? And I think it says more about availability of jobs than the likely money potential, a low paid job is better than no job.
If my understanding of the regulations is correct you do not have to be registered to do the work but the work needs to be signed off by someone who is registered. This could be a NICEIC member or, I believe when the regulations are implemented, you can do the work under a building notice and get the LA to check the work.
Obviously both these options will cost you money, but these costs can be factored into the quote. Even if you were registered, the costs of testing would still have to be allowed for.
So in effect there is nothing to stop you trading using this method until you have been trading for the required period.
Get into gas,every man and his dog is getting into it. Just throw some money at your local tech college and they will give you a certificate to practice. Dont worry about competence as Transco are there to wipe the nations' arse and ensure that not too many people get killed or injured.
Once you;ve got your bit of paper you are licensed to fleece the British public who foolishly believe that becuase you are CORGI reg'd you are 100% competent and trustworthy.
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