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Working Abroad Job Vacancies Job Hunting Guide Voluntary Work Working Part-time and Temping Useful Job Hunting Resources Working in Somerset Wages and Employment Rights Plumbers in Somerset CLCI: UF CRCI: BB Plumbers fit and maintain hot and cold water supplies, heating and ventilation systems, oil and gas appliances, toilets and waste disposal systems. They also look after all sorts of pipe work, guttering and drainage. It’s highly-skilled work that needs lots of training and – if you can get into it – it’s rewarding, interesting and well paid. Training and apprenticeship places are extremely hard to find. This means you’ll have to be a good candidate and make a big effort to get a job. To find out more look under the above CLCI/CRCI headings in your Careers or Connexions library THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PLUMBERS IN SOMERSET There are plumbing businesses throughout Somerset. Most install new equipment and pipes, remove old plumbing and repair existing supplies and equipment. Some businesses specialise in putting systems into new buildings. Others concentrate on heating or ventilation. Certain Somerset plumbing businesses also do electrical work. Plumbers working in new buildings sometimes work for construction companies. Businesses vary in size from those employing dozens of plumbers to self-employed plumbers working on their own. All jobs involve having a base and travelling out-and-about to homes, schools, hospitals, hotels, farms and all sorts of business buildings. HOW DO I GET STARTED?   Get work experience when at school to see if it’s the career for you   Go to college for a full-time plumbing course   Start a traineeship – or an apprenticeship – when you are 16 or 17 and go to college as part of your job USEFUL QUALIFICATIONS   GCSEs in maths, English, science and practical subjects are a good starting point   NVQ level 2 and level 3 plumbing qualifications (either through an apprenticeship or a full-time college course) More about qualifications, courses and training can be found in Moving On (published by Connexions Somerset) DO YOU KNOW? Plumbers often find it expensive to take on apprentices. If you can’t find an apprenticeship be ready to do a full-time college course instead. WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE? Around £80 per week (maybe more) if starting as a new employed trainee or apprentice. Later you could be earning £8-10 per hour. There is usually enough work to earn more by working longer hours. FINDING A JOB   Connexions centres   Job centres   Through applying for work apprenticeships   School and college careers notice boards   Speculative letters/visits/emails   Newspaper and industry publications adverts   Adverts displayed at premises and on industry/company websites   Job offer after work experience   Word of mouth   A Guide to Job Hunting gives tips on CVs, interviews and job letters. To view click here OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS WORK   Plumbers do important work so you need to be properly trained and work to consistently high standards   You’ll need extra CORGI qualifications to work on gas installations (and other certificates for oil and solid fuel work)   You’ll need common sense, good practical skills, patience, a good standard of fitness and not mind getting dirty (and wet!)   There are good opportunities to work for yourself and run your own business   Plumbers are usually very busy. They are often called out on emergencies and have a lot to do when the weather is cold   The work has become more technical. You’ll need to keep up-to-date with changes and know about rules and regulations   It helps to be good with customers and depending on the job, you need to be prepared to work on your own or as part of a team WHO DOES THE WORK? Ellie (30) did all sorts of jobs when she left school but decided to get into plumbing when she was 21. She did a two-year course at college before finding a job with a plumber in Chard. Last year she decided to set up her own plumbing business and, after a tricky start, it’s going brilliantly and she’s getting loads of customers recommending her to friends. Joe (18), from Minehead, is an apprentice with a firm that does plumbing for houses, hotels and business buildings. He got his job after doing well on work experience. At first Joe hated travelling to college every Monday for his NVQ course but now he sees how it helps him do the job better. Joe’s keen to get on and – in the future – wants to specialise in central heating. More Info: A-Z Careers Careers information dates rapidly. Every effort has been made to ensure information is accurate but please check details before making firm decisions. Make text larger Make text smaller Text Only Display Privacy Policy/Terms of Use