I've spoken to a couple of reps, the first was from "New Career Skills" (NCS) and that one shared a similar setup, but was priced at £6300 the C&G L2 in plumbing and heating, and £7300 to get through the part-p.
The second, was t4s and
From what I've learned, that was
L2 course = £3950 (£110pm)
L3 course = £5700 (monthly costs?)
Both acted as sales reps, which didn't affect me all that much, (I used to be in sales, so I saw it for what it was, regardless of how "desirable" their final result would be)
One major disappointment with NCS was however, when it came to pricing, the NCS rep wrote all his prices on a sheet of lined a4 paper, which looked very unprofessional.
It would have been better if he produced an official looking book with the price lists in it (Like T4s did).
One of my colleagues in the building trade has done a similar course and did spend about £7k, and he openly admitted that he wouldn't have been able to make ends meet after "graduating", where he was left out in the cold, so to speak with little knowledge of how to make the qualifications into more than a few fancy bits of paper, if it wasn't for his finding work in our small builders firm, he would struggle to make ends meet.
So, with that in mind, I am realistic in how such qualifications wouldn’t lead to instant results, and, thankfully, both reps made it clear that I wouldn't suddenly become the most employable person around, it would take work and graft to make something of myself, and they gave realistic levels of income, though I did notice both groups offered assistance in finding employment etc.
As with many, they spouted the hype of plumbers being in short supply etc (bucket of salt came to mind), and while I know my colleague has a few jobs lines up, that’s no guarantee I'll be able to manage the same
Okay, so it comes down to a simple question or three.
I have perused the forum dialogue and found many pro's and cons, and I fully realize the above courses won't make you a fully qualified, employable plumber, regardless of what the fancy booklets they gave me claims but it DOES give you written qualifications and a STEPPING STONE (or is that baby step?) towards becoming a fully qualified plumber.
From what I gather, it will only build you to a level where you could make a living as a self-employed plumber, or improve your skills base...
I already work as a general builder in a small builders and decorators firm, but most of what I learned is self-taught or learned through working with my peers, and as such, I don't have any formal qualifications.
Unfortunately, thanks to the current financial climate, I can't afford to stop working and go the route of college (however, I may consider evening courses, after what I've learned)
My goal, was to use a course like the one t4t offers to build on my skills and knowledge base, including put some written qualifications under my hat, I already know I could work with one of the firms people to gain the practical experience in things like bathroom and kitchen fitting, (though they would subcontract out for boiler work), but would spending that kind of money on an L2 or L3 course be worth my while?
p.s. thanks to whoever it was who mentioned you won't be able to do any practical work in "their workshops" until you've paid a minimum of £1300, that was something I didn't know.
G
thanks.