Brookhouse training centre, Cleckheaton

[6337sean]

Hi guys,

I am wanting to start a new career as a plumber. I am 25 with a degree that has got me no where, hence the wanted career change.

I have seen a combined plumbing and gas course at brookhouse training centre in cleckheaton. Has anybody used brookhouse training centre before ? Are they any good? Any negativity surrounding them ?

The course is £6500.

What do you guys think? Good value for money ? Or is there other companys out there that offer the same for less ? I live in London so any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks chaps.

 

[SimonG]

Why?

Is the course just theory, will they guarantee a placement to be able to complete your nvq and to complete acs.

 

[basildog]

Save your money !
Get in touch with a local college as most run adult learning you will find you should be able to get the same qualifications for nothing ?
Try a few colleges as all seem to differ slightly but do not pay that kind of money !

 

[6337sean]

Why what ?

You get...for £6500

Stage 1 – Key Basic & Advanced Plumbing Skills & Processes
Working with and using 15mm and 22mm copper pipe fabrication
Fitting isolation valves
Pipe bending 15mm and 22mm copper pipe
Fitting of tap connectors including flexi
WC assembly including all internal fittings
Fault finding and repair
Bathroom taps and wastes fitted and explained
Plumbing in a complete bathroom and water testing under pressure
Strip down taps, valves, gland/ball valve - repair washer
Fitting of radiators – Fault finding and repair
Working with plastic pipe and copper together
Plumbing up and filling up until under full pressure
Then under pressure and full of water, change a radiator and valve
Fit water cistern & hot water cylinder
Central Heating – Install Systems & Radiators (S & Y Plans + Combi)
Central Heating Installs – Theory & Practical
Bathroom Decommissioning
BPEC Water Regulations

Stage 2 – CITB-ConstructionSkills Intermediate Gas Certificate
Common basic gas processes
Maintaining safety in natural gas
Applying core gas safety measures
Effective working relationships in the gas industry
Electrical supply and earth continuity
Installation & maintenance of cookers and laundry appliances
Installation & maintenance of central heating and hot water heating appliances
Install, commission, decommission, service and maintain meters
Install, commission, decommission, service and maintain pipe work
Install, comm/decomm, service & maintain warm air & water heating appliances
Install, comm/decomm, service and maintain space heaters and appliances
Additional Training Included:
Component recognition & testing
Fault finding, diagnosis & repair
Use of a multi-meter
Wiring of ‘S & Y plan’ systems
Landlord Certifications (in detail)
Stripping of pumps & repair
Learn How to Plaster,
Surrounds - Gas fire installation building work to flueing standards BS5440
NEW! Specialist Manufacturer Combi
NEW!! 6 Months FREE IGE

Stage 3 – Work-based Competence and Gas Portfolio of Evidence Building
Guaranteed by Brookhouse Training Centre

Stage 4 – CCN1 (Core Gas Safety) Simulation
Once your portfolio has been completed to a sufficient standard
Training’s Gas Assessors, you will then be required to undertake a mandatory theoretical
and practical assessment. This assessment will simulate the final CCN1 assessment
(plus one appliance) to prepare you for the CCN1.
Followed by – ACS Assessments
Performance Analysis (CPA1) Mandatory
Plus 1 appliance from the following:
Central Heating/Water Heaters (CENWAT)
Gas Fires (HTR1)
Cookers (CKR1)
Meters (MET1)


As a newcomer, advice on if this is a good deal, good training provider and experiences from others who have done this would be appreciated....

 

[6337sean]

thanks mate, i shall have a good look around

 

[basildog]

Sounds like a bargain !
You will come away with lots of paper and not a clue !
Buy a van with the money and go to college

 

[6337sean]

id need to take a loan out to be honest mate.... im already in debt with my student loan for my uni degree so i just need to get the best deal now, however not a micky mouse provider...

do you recommend any colleges/providers ?

 

[Dotty]

Good luck Sean, it would appear you've made your mind up.

But before you dip you toe in just be aware the industry is saturated despite what the training center tells you. Also the amount of plumbers earning £75k/year is very very small. non existant in fact.

They will not guarantee you a placement leaving you in unfinished purgatory. Most guys are earning barely enough to keep themselves afloat.

And in all honesty they're a business interested only in getting bums on seats and the money that that brings in.

That's the stark reality mate. Really really think hard before parting with your cash. I would.

 

[basildog]

I would just ring around not sure if you have to stay in your own area as it seems a bit of a postcode lottery but with a bit of thinking outside the box I am sure your main residence could be anywhere in the uk ?
Do not think hard think smart !

 

[6337sean]

thanks croppie, i didnt know the industry was saturated.

 

[6337sean]

brookhouse do guarentee a placement croppie, its a now or never for me to be honest....

 

[Dotty]

brookhouse do guarentee a placement croppie, its a now or never for me to be honest....

verbally or in black and white?

 

[SimonG]

Why what ?

You get...for £6500

Stage 1 – Key Basic & Advanced Plumbing Skills & Processes
Working with and using 15mm and 22mm copper pipe fabrication
Fitting isolation valves
Pipe bending 15mm and 22mm copper pipe
Fitting of tap connectors including flexi
WC assembly including all internal fittings
Fault finding and repair
Bathroom taps and wastes fitted and explained
Plumbing in a complete bathroom and water testing under pressure
Strip down taps, valves, gland/ball valve - repair washer
Fitting of radiators – Fault finding and repair
Working with plastic pipe and copper together
Plumbing up and filling up until under full pressure
Then under pressure and full of water, change a radiator and valve
Fit water cistern & hot water cylinder
Central Heating – Install Systems & Radiators (S & Y Plans + Combi)
Central Heating Installs – Theory & Practical
Bathroom Decommissioning
BPEC Water Regulations

Stage 2 – CITB-ConstructionSkills Intermediate Gas Certificate
Common basic gas processes
Maintaining safety in natural gas
Applying core gas safety measures
Effective working relationships in the gas industry
Electrical supply and earth continuity
Installation & maintenance of cookers and laundry appliances
Installation & maintenance of central heating and hot water heating appliances
Install, commission, decommission, service and maintain meters
Install, commission, decommission, service and maintain pipe work
Install, comm/decomm, service & maintain warm air & water heating appliances
Install, comm/decomm, service and maintain space heaters and appliances
Additional Training Included:
Component recognition & testing
Fault finding, diagnosis & repair
Use of a multi-meter
Wiring of ‘S & Y plan’ systems
Landlord Certifications (in detail)
Stripping of pumps & repair
Learn How to Plaster,
Surrounds - Gas fire installation building work to flueing standards BS5440
NEW! Specialist Manufacturer Combi
NEW!! 6 Months FREE IGE

Stage 3 – Work-based Competence and Gas Portfolio of Evidence Building
Guaranteed by Brookhouse Training Centre

Stage 4 – CCN1 (Core Gas Safety) Simulation
Once your portfolio has been completed to a sufficient standard
Training’s Gas Assessors, you will then be required to undertake a mandatory theoretical
and practical assessment. This assessment will simulate the final CCN1 assessment
(plus one appliance) to prepare you for the CCN1.
Followed by – ACS Assessments
Performance Analysis (CPA1) Mandatory
Plus 1 appliance from the following:
Central Heating/Water Heaters (CENWAT)
Gas Fires (HTR1)
Cookers (CKR1)
Meters (MET1)


As a newcomer, advice on if this is a good deal, good training provider and experiences from others who have done this would be appreciated....

Why do you want to become a plumber? Have a search on the forum 100's and 100's of exactly the same threads. I see the phrase 'once your portfolio is completed to a sufficient standard', so basically you will be in the lap of the gods trying to get somebody to sign off/supervise tasks in the field. You need to do a lot more homework before parting with any dosh, especially if you are borrowing the money.

 

[6337sean]

on there website and speaking to them, they say ' we provide a 100percent guarentee of a out in the industry work placement...... there main marketing tool.

 

[tamz]

Some one some where must keep a track of the numbers that go through the training courses and the numbers still doing it 1 year 2 years down the line.
Maybe the numbers are so shockingly low, making them available would be too bad for business.

Think long and hard before getting yourself in more debt with no guarantee of anything much at the end of it except maybe a stab at self employment.

 

[basildog]

Just noticed you also learn how to plaster !
I been in the trade for 30 years and that is still a black art carried out at the dead of night on a full moon !

 

[6337sean]

well.. i am on 16k a year, thats why i wanted to go into plumbing. I am getting the feeling that you guys think its just not worth the grief......

 

[SimonG]

Piece taken from their website.

We provide a hands-on approach to learning; we mix in-centre theory and practical training with the opportunity of working alongside a qualified Gas Safe Engineer during a Guaranteed Work Placement.

I would want in writing that the work placement will involve sufficient work and experience to complete your portfolio.

They could give you a week with a company and that's there guarantee complied with, without you being able to complete portfolio.

Just be careful

 

[6337sean]

thats true, il certainly ask that if i happen to go forward and choose them in particular

 

[plumber0808]

Wow 6.5k that's a lot of money. I can't believe it costs so much.

IMO the way to do it is through having an apprenticeship and that is about 3.5years and that's just dipping your toe in the water.

Goodluck with what you do decide but for some reason I think a lot of people find theirself at a loose end job wise so I must become a plumber.
That said, I do like my job.

 

[6337sean]

i dont think il get an apprenticship as i already have a degree...

 

[basildog]

well.. i am on 16k a year, thats why i wanted to go into plumbing. I am getting the feeling that you guys think its just not worth the grief......

It is not all about money !
I have been there done that
100k a year but was I happy
It is all about what you really want to do at your age I used to love the trade but got to a point where I hated it ,the customers ringing at midnight on christmas eve ,missing collecting my newborn son from hospital as the business was more important !
Just decide what you want from life and go for it .
Now I would be happy to live in a van and live a hippy life with no worries !

 

[basildog]

i dont think il get an apprenticship as i already have a degree...

you can do an apprenticship as self employed so that is not a problem

 

[6337sean]

thanks for the advice mate.... i know its not all about money, but id like to be comfortable.... il take your advice however, we get one life, money doesnt save us at deaths door.....i have no clue what i want to do to be honest, plumbing seemed like a good option, my dad ' a carpenter' has been pushing me towards it seeing what his friends make....

 

[tamz]

well.. i am on 16k a year, thats why i wanted to go into plumbing. I am getting the feeling that you guys think its just not worth the grief......

The average employed guy on an hourly rate may be on something like £11.50/hr, 37.5 hr week. Overtime and call outs may bump it up a bit but not big bucks and many are on that and less. The average is around 23 - 27k
At the other end on price work can get you 40 - 50k+ but the ones on that are not your run of the mill guys. They are good and fast at what they do.

Many self employed guys would be happy to get 10 grand a year. They struggle to pick up enough work and the start up costs are horiffic if you are jumping in. Most will average n the 20 - 30k bracket but for that they end up working more hours than the ships cat.
The grass is seldom greener.
If i had my time again i'd maybe wash wheelie bins for a living. Probably more money in it and definitely less stress.

Just do a lot of research and keep your eyes open.
It can be done with a bit luck and hard work but the odds are not in your favour.

 

[6337sean]

will take that on board tamz. Very interesting point. cheers mate

 

[lame plumber]

well you dont want to be mentioning your degree to any college when you go looking for grants etc, youll get 0 help. you need to tag along with a builder and learn the hard labouring bits for a while then move onto evenings 2x a week or 1 day a week at your local college, for plumbing basics and by then youll know some plumbers to bully into working with not for as youll not get paid much if anything. To learn the trade you need an income alongside your learning

 

[6337sean]

i think my national insurance number will flag up degree to colleges if i tried to pull the wool over there eyes.... your right , experiences is better than a piece of paper saying you can do this/that

 

[basildog]

When I had the building firm most of my clients were what I would call real businessmen from sainsburys chief meat buyer to a director at tesco and one who wrote the pick up a penguin advert all multi millonaires but were they ever happy ?
Have even had to camouflage a site toilet to keep a clients wife happy and another who said whatever the wife asks for extra you are not to do it !
Had to be on site at 4 in the morning to hang doors because the feng shui master said it was an auspicious date and time !
One day you wake up and think is mrs x`s new extension really that important ?
I guess I am an old cynic but todays world is all about self gratification and self importance or celeb status !
Follow your own feelins not what someone tells you to do .

 

[basildog]

i think my national insurance number will flag up degree to colleges if i tried to pull the wool over there eyes.... your right , experiences is better than a piece of paper saying you can do this/that

My mate has a degree and still went down the apprentiship route doing level 1,2 aqnd 3 really funny part was he still had to do the basic english and maths part too !
The system is so messed up that it seems not to matter he would have told them the truth as he is as honest as they come declares all cash too !

 

[tamz]

Had to be on site at 4 in the morning to hang doors because the feng shui master said it was an auspicious date and time !

Bet you felt like fenging a shui at them :lol:
It get worse all the time.

 

[tomplumb83]

Why don't you become an engineer in the merchant navy instead. They only only pay ten grand a year for the first three years when training but when you pass youre guaranteed a job on 30+. Five more years and that will double. They pay all expenses including food & digs and even if you don't fancy being on a ship you've got a respected qualification

 

[Phil]

I did my Unvented there a few weeks ago and not had any certificate through yet.

 

[basildog]

Bet you felt like fenging a shui at them :lol:
It get worse all the time.

The meetings with the Architect were the funniest as neither of us could keep a straight face !
I often had to walk away if he looked at me ,went for a stroll and had a *** to calm down , the doors were even hung at an angle in the frames to direct the positive energy into the house !
The poor old joiner was doing his nut fabricating the doors and frames as the angles involved were a complete nightmare !

 

[6337sean]

haha comouflage a site toilet ay... she clearly doesnt know the world she lives in if thats her worry.... i will certainly follow my own feelings, when i understand what they are.... not to be to philosophical, im 25, in a country that demands money for bills, housing, cars.... everybody seems to be climbing over each other to gain that extra step...... il never be able to afford a house with the job im in.... it doesnt look like plumbing is the way forward from what those have said on here.... LET ME KNOW NEXT WEEKS LOTTERY NUMBERS SOMEONE ! thanks for all the feedback and advice guys, its priceless !