There are tons of plumbing courses you can take if you are looking to start a career in this field. Plumbing is one of the best skilled trades to go into, as the income potential is quite a bit higher than some of the others. If you are good at the trade then you can make $25+ an hour, with plenty of side jobs as well.
Of course, if you have ever looked for plumbing jobs, you know that they are not easy to find. Most companies require you to have experience. Obviously this is why it is necessary to take courses of some kind. Unless you are lucky enough to find someone who is willing to take you on as an apprentice with no knowledge at all, then coursework will be an important part of your learning curve.
There are basically 3 kinds of plumbing courses. Here is a description of each, and finally how to tell which one is right for you.
Online plumbing courses
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It might seem weird that a skill as hands on as plumbing can be learned online, but it can be-to some extent. There are tons of these online courses, as you will find if you look it up on Google. The best part about these courses is obvious-they are convenient. You can go at your own pace, and they will fit into your schedule better than if you were to take a physical course.
Following the courses completion, you must pass a test, just like if you were to take a course at your local college. You can determine when you want to take the test beforehand, so it will still fit into your schedule.
Warning
Online plumbing courses are popular, but in reality they are not as well respected as offline physical courses. The reason is simple-head knowledge and actually doing plumbing are 2 totally different things. Therefore, if you just want to learn about plumbing so you can perform around the house work yourself and not have to hire someone, these courses would come in handy. However, if you want a career in plumbing, you will probably want to take physical courses.
Technical training
These courses are usually offered by community colleges, and they are much more hands on than online training. They will instruct you in the different elements related to plumbing, such as maintenance, water regulation, pipefitting, as well as other skills. They will combine both classroom and hands on training, and in most instances are much more respected than an online degree. If you are serious about a career in this field, this would be something you should look into.
Apprenticeship
This is probably the best method of all for aspiring plumbers, and is even better than plumbing courses. The reason is simple- you get paid while you learn. You will have to join the union in your area, and most of them have a particular day each month they accept applications. The process is simple-you just have to pass a basic algebra exam, and then they will schedule an interview. How soon the interview is really depends on how much work there is at the time.
Assuming the interview goes well, then you are usually put on a waiting list. How long you have to wait depends on the city you live in and the time of year you apply. In some instances, if the demand for plumbers is high you can start work almost immediately. However, usually you will have to wait awhile before you get accepted.
Once you join the union, you will usually get about 30-35 hours a week of actual on the job training (in which you get paid) plus a certain amount of classroom work (which you do not get paid for). Many of these programs are 5 years long, and your hourly rate will go up a certain amount every year. Obviously these programs are your best bet for becoming a plumber, simply because you get paid while you learn. Also, it involves a lot more hands on training than the other 2 options.
If you decide to go the classroom route
The reality is that getting into the local union is not easy, and there is quite a bit of competition. Therefore, taking plumbing courses will be your best bet for gaining experience. But the problem is simple-there are so many courses to choose from. In fact, a quick Google search for “plumbing courses” nets 1,850,000 results. Your choices are endless.
How to pick the right one
Fortunately, there are ways you can tell a good course from a bad one. Here are some things you should look for to help you pick the best one, and a brief description of each:
- Accreditation
- Varied training
- Alumni success
Accreditation
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Obviously any good plumbing courses should be accredited. There are a few major accreditation bodies that it should have recognition from. They are City & Guilds, EAL and NICEIC. They will ensure that the course material and presentation are up to par. Not only does this accreditation show that the course is good, but you also know that it is more respected by employers.
Varied training
The best plumbing courses will have a number of skill-sets they teach you within plumbing. You might be led to believe that a particular company that focuses on one thing (such as only pipefitting) would be the best because you could be an expert at that. However, in most instances the more qualifications you have, the more likely you are to get a job. If you read the list of skills you need for most plumbing jobs, they are quite staggering. Therefore, the more varied your knowledge, the better off you are.
Alumni success
Obviously one of the most determinants in the effectiveness of a course is the success rate of those who have already taken it. You want to find out what percentage of the graduates that actually went on to become plumbers, and are making a full time living at it. While there other things you should consider when evaluating courses, this is hands down the most important.
Conclusion
Taking plumbing courses is one of the best ways to gain the experience you need. Use these tips, and you will find the right one for you shortly.