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If you’re looking to tap into the plumbing trade, there are several pathways you can take to start your career. If you enjoy interacting with others, finding solutions and helping people, becoming a plumber could be the right job for you.
In this article, we’ll be looking at how you can start a successful career as a plumber.
Qualifications
While there are no specific qualifications you need to become a plumber in the UK, it’s worth taking a Level 2 Diploma in plumbing to learn the necessary skills to become a professional in the trade.
Having some qualifications can make you appear more attractive to employers, and it’s good to have a basic level of knowledge when it comes to starting out in your plumbing career.
Employers will also look for several skills, including communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills. Utilising these, alongside general labour skills, will help set you up for success.
Consider an apprenticeship
Completing a plumbing apprenticeship is a good way to receive on-the-job training while completing the relevant qualifications. You’ll usually be required to complete a number of classroom hours before you can fully start work as a plumber.
However, you’ll be sure to learn valuable skills alongside classroom learning. Shadowing plumbing professionals will help you learn about the various procedures, codes, and specialist skills.
Starting your business
You don’t have to go into a job at a plumbing company. Instead, you could start as a sole trader, which is a great way to break into the market and get your name out there.
However, you’ll need to market your business to help boost your bookings and make people more aware of your services. You can use social media to advertise your company and hand out leaflets in the local area. Be sure to clearly display your contact details so potential customers can easily get in touch.
The right tools
It’s incredibly important to invest in high-quality tools when starting as a plumber. This is so you don’t risk any workplace injuries or damage to your client’s property. And, well-made tools can produce higher standards of work, ensuring you can complete the task easily and efficiently.
Cheaper, low-quality tools will likely need replacing sooner, meaning you’ll have more unnecessary costs that could have been avoided by making the initial investment in a first-class kit.
There are several pieces of equipment that are a must-have for your toolkit, including a plunger, pipe wrench, and air eliminators from RS. Having a wide variety of tools readily available means you won’t get caught out on a difficult job without having the appropriate kit.