Lvl 1 Qualified 23yrs old Help

[Lee123]

Hello everybody.

I am 23 years old and currently live in east london. I have completed a level 1 plumbing course in college which i know is not much only soldering and fitting a sink (baby stuff). i have worked since the day after my 16th but regret not doing an apprenticeship at the time. I know plumbing is what i want to do but as i am 23 am i to late for an apprenticeship. i have rung loads of plumbers in my area and they are not intrested in a plumbers mate or even me working for free to show i can work hard and do a good job. I thought fast track would be the best option for me but after a salesman come to my house and told me how great i am that i passed a few tests and that he would want me on the course immediatly if i gave him a ton on the spot i refused and asked him about the 6129 going. he said thats a myth and if i dont have £100 why dont i sell my xbox haha so that made me realise the true colours of these people. Any help would be appreciated or if anyone knows anyone who would like someone whos hard working for a couple of days a week to work for free to give me a chance to show i am worth a job. i am currently working as a labourer for an agency but work is drying up so im avaliable more times them im not lately. what do you think is the best route to take.

Thanks for your time

Lee

 

[fuzzy]

I cannot believe they told you the 6129 going was a myth!!!!

 

[Lee123]

I cannot believe they told you the 6129 going was a myth!!!!

He was more interested in taking my money. He got a bit aggressive asking for payment when I asked him questions about the course. Also told me that they will pay for my travel and hotel when I o down to the center for a week. Don't know how true that is either. I just want to start at the bottom and work my way up

 

[cooper.s]

Im 20 mate, ive done the 6129 and the trap im in is the plumbers that have got the work want you to have at least an NVQ before they take you on, problem is you cant get the NVQ unless your working with a plumber. O and the NVQ is a grand in itself.
But the 6129 is a good course, I learnt a hell of a lot and its well worth doing, if you can get in with a plumber aswell you will be laughing.

 

[fuzzy]

Im 20 mate, ive done the 6129 and the trap im in is the plumbers that have got the work want you to have at least an NVQ before they take you on, problem is you cant get the NVQ unless your working with a plumber. O and the NVQ is a grand in itself.
But the 6129 is a good course, I learnt a hell of a lot and its well worth doing, if you can get in with a plumber aswell you will be laughing.

when i point out to newbies that this can happen im called negative! and these salesmen are taking advantage of 'positive' people

 

[cooper.s]

Without a doubt, it aint like ronseal it definatly dont do what it says on the tin. The salesmen sell these course making you think once you pass yourll be earning mega and you can go off on your own and start a business, it aint all sunshine and roses, i know of 1 bloke whos done the 6129, gone off on his own and hes doing well but he was a kitchen and bathroom fitter before he did the course, after doing the course I can solder, hang a rad, fit out a bathroom etc, but theres no way on earth id try it on my own? maybe im not confident enough, but if you ask me the only way to learn it properly is the old fashioned way and learn from a plumber if anything i think these courses make you a good plumbers mate/improver not a plumber.
IMO if you are going to do a 6129... Go though a government bodied provider like a proper college... and try and try and try to get in with a plumber no matter how many knock backs you get.

 

[fuzzy]

well said cooper and i agree almost entirely. i do however think the 6129 is a very good course but it needs to be in conjunction with experience. its not a case of which is best, course or expericne, they run hand in hand. one on its own is valuable but not the complete set!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!