All one has to do is to look in newspapers from across the UK and in a matter of moments, a handful of listings that advertise for the services of trained plumbers can be found. With prospects of earning a comfortable living and a shortage of up to 30,000 plumbers nationwide, traditional routes are proving insufficient to meet the needs of the 21st Century. Over the past twenty years, school leavers have found it virtually impossible to gain apprenticeships in the profession. As thousands of skilled tradesmen retire each year, the growing number of vacancies has created the necessity for new avenues into promising career occupations, including those in plumbing.
New training opportunities now exist that have greatly expanded the pool of those who wish to enter the profession. The offering of plumbing courses in the UK has greatly expanded to provide for greater numbers of students from all age groups, both male and female, who are able to take their classes and hands-on training at hours that are more convenient to their schedules. Split between plumbing theory and practical workshop training where theory is put into practice, many plumbing courses in the UK are offered over a period of eight weeks and are followed by getting out of the classroom for actual experience in the workplace. This means that students may be able to start earning funds in their own business or working under another qualified plumber before coming back for two weeks of plumbing examinations and measurements.
Plumbing courses in the classroom cover a wide range of topics designed to provide the student with essential knowledge that will make them successful as they make entry into the marketplace with their new skills. First among these are basic health and safety practices in the plumbing profession, followed by common plumbing processes that include hot and cold running water systems, sanitation and central heating systems, electrical supply, environmental awareness, and effective working relationships. It is increasingly common to find colleges that help their students in finding a work placement, although many still wish to do this for themselves.
Plumbing courses are about much more than fixing leaky sinks or changing a washer. Plumbers are required to work with their minds as well as their hands, and no two days in the profession are alike. A skilled plumber is a problem-solver, able to understand how and why systems work in providing solutions. While some may choose to focus on residential plumbing opportunities, still others may work exclusively with piped installations such as fitting bathrooms in commercial applications. Prospects are very good for those who go into management or consulting, particularly for those who may desire to become instructors for new students entering the field.
Plumbing courses in the UK are available for more than just those wishing to become professionals in the field, though. For persons with a do-it-yourself project in mind, there are fast track courses available, as well as weekend programs that provide instruction through structured plumbing courses. First days are often grounded in the basics of plumbing, and within a couple more days, the student may be installing a bathroom or other plumbing projects. It is also common to find these shorter courses with components that include maintenance and repair techniques, and training in central heating systems.
With so many options available through the range of plumbing courses offered in the UK, it is essential that potential students pay close attention to the syllabus and the course objectives to insure that the instruction is right for them. The amount of material and the skills to be mastered may seem daunting at first, but experience has proven that the future remains open to those who are motivated to learn and are willing to give the effort it takes to be successful in their enterprise.