Plumbing Qualifications

[CES]

Well, Im a gold cscs card holder but its no a jib card. I served my time in the merchant navy, came out worked in facilities engineering, commercial gas and domestic gas. I'm not a plumber, don't claim to be and never will as I didn't serve my time. One thing that does rip my knitting though, is the fact that I cant join SNIPEF as I don't hold a recognised plumbing qualification. What makes it even more funny is that I'm a full member of CIPHE, got my domestic & commercial ACS, unvented ticket, water byelaws, energy efficiency, GSHP & ASHP, I live in Scotland, work in Scotland and would probably take an apprentice on but I dont see the point, especially as it may invalidate a would be apprentice's training.
I agree that you can have all the qualifications in the world but it doesn't stop you making a mess of things if you don't have experience.

I dont know where that rant came from?? Must have been due to working in the attic yesterday! lol

 

[fuzzy]

by your own admission you are not a plumber, you also dont hold any plumbing quals, why would you be angry at not being able to register with SNIPEF?

 

[CES]

Because they don't distinguish between "Plumber" and "Heating Engineer". Im not that angry, just a bit disappointed that, unlike the CIPHE, there doesnt seem to be a distinction.

 

[fuzzy]

do you have heating engineer quals?

 

[tamz]

You don't necessarily need quals to join SNIPEF but without them you wouldn't be able to take advantage of some of the schemes on offer such as ACC.

http://www.snipef.org/become_licenced/documents/MEMBERSHIPCRITERIA2009_000.pdf

but as they are a plumbing federation they obviously want proof you meet certain stds and also the approval of your peers to a certain extent. It is different from the ciphe in that it is solely for employers the same as the APHC in England.
A bit more to it than simply paying your money and you're in.

 

[GQuigley67]

Is it worth joining SNIPEF if your a one man band ? would be looking at employing an apprentice in the long run no doubt but not at the moment

 

[tamz]

Depends what type of work you do if it will be of any benefit. Probably quite expensive if you don't really need it.

 

[CES]

do you have heating engineer quals?

Well, Ive got an HND in Engineering, gained in 1989. As I said I served an apprenticeship as a Marine Engineer which encompassed a lot of things, applied heat, fluid mechanics etc.
My gold card states Building Services Engineering - Service & Maintenance Engineer, Ive spent a lot of time working in Building services / Facilities. It was during this time I sat my ACS for Domestic & Commercial.
Im currently self employed and have spent the last 7 years building up my business, mainly heating stuff.