Advice needed about becoming plumber in west sussex

[Richy Rich]

First off, hello everyone, just signed up to site and need advice from all you great and wise ones. I am not yet a qualified plumber, but have been doin voluntary plumbing with my dad, who is a qualified self employed plumber, on & off for a few years now. Now my dilemma is that I have developed sufficient skills over the years in order to take up plumbing as a career, and need advice on the best plan of attack to do this. I am not looking to become gas safe or anything requiring to many courses yet, I just need the basic qualification in order to set up self employed and get liability insurance for general domestic plumbing ie bathrooms, kitchens, additional rads to CH systems etc... which I am already fully capable of doin. I understand that I need to do the 6089 nvq level 2, is this all I need? and any recommendations on places in or around west sussex to do this and the quickest/economical route to get it. From what I've looked into already it seems like costing about £3-4grand and taking about 4-6wks does this sound about right?? Advice is much appreciated, fire away guys....

 

[lame plumber]

best one to get advice from is your old man surely as he lives and works in the role!

 

[Richy Rich]

I wish it was that simple, he is of the old skool variety at 66yrs, still working hard but winding down and no longer up to date on the current situation. He's still a top class plumber, one of the best in my opinion with his vast knowledge and attention to detail, but as you can imagine with a man of his vintage he has little time for the never ending changes to plumbing qualifications, hence my request for info from you more youthful and knowledgeable and up to date plumbers!

 

[lame plumber]

surely chichester or pompey have colleges for this if your close to either go and have a chat, all i know is its changing quickly at present so talk to local college before fast track commercial places and you may even get grants fm lea places

 

[tamz]

You don't legally need any qualifications as the trade is a sham. You just need a van some tools and a mask. If you want to get a job with someone you'll need them.

 

[Richy Rich]

lame plumber, I've been over to Chichester college a couple of years back to enquire about the plumbing courses and it would cost me a grand to do the course as not entitled to any grants and will take a year to complete nvq 2 at 1 day a week. As I've already developed necessary plumbing skills and am confident and competent at undertaking plumbing jobs the best course of action I think is a private intensive course at a higher cost but will get me qualified quicker. Tamz, I didn't know no qualifications are necessary - what about for getting liability insurance if self employed and working for yourself - would they cover someone with no actual plumbing qualification to carry out plumbing work? I also think its essential to have the qualification to learn all about new regulations, methods etc, as well as well as customers would like to know I am actually qualified, even if only to nvq 2!!

 

[kay-jay]

You have hit the nail on the head there pal.
No qualifications are legally required. And no-one will ask when you take out pli ....but god help you if you need to claim.

 

[Richy Rich]

Cheers kay jay, I am surprised the insurers wouldn't ask what qualifications you have, I guess its in there interest to allow you to pay the premiums and then they say they won't payout if you need to make a claim. After reading through some other post I realise the nvq 2 is the most basic qualification, is it possible to complete the whole nvq if selfemployed and doing your own jobs or do you have to be under the guidance of an experienced plumber. Reccomendations on decent places to do the intensive nvq 2 6089 in west sussex privately would be much appreciated. It seems there are a lot of places offering courses but after reading some other posts it seems some are ****e! Looked in to train4trade before they seem quite reputable and also Able skills I think they were called. Please enlighten me...

 

[lame plumber]

get your old man to sign you off s your in a better position than most and if you dont need to hurry why bother paying a fast track org when chi college is there and you take your time and probablygain more knowledge.

 

[Richy Rich]

That was my original plan when I looked at chi college, and they said they would take me on to the course if I was taken on with my dad, unfortunately tho my dad wasn't up for the extra hassle for him involved with that, so is no longer an option and I have to respect his wishes. That's why the fast track option is now the best option, I don't mind that it is more expensive and am willing to spend the money, but want to make sure I go with the best people to do it with who are reputable.