Ensure the Field Is a Good Fit
Plumbers work with the pipes that carry materials like water and sewage. Depending on their level of training, they may install, repair, remove, or even design piping systems. As such, plumbing can be a very hand-on profession that is suitable if you like manual work.Plumbers are not just handymen or women, though. They are also problem-solvers who enjoy a good trouble-shooting challenge. Many also love utilizing engineering and mathematical concepts. And since plumbers deal with the public and often work hand-in-hand with other professionals, interpersonal skills are a plus, too. If any of the above sound like attributes you possess, plumbing may be a career path for you.
Get the Proper Training
Prospective plumbers get essential on-the-job training via an apprenticeship. Through this process, they will accompany experienced journeyman plumbers and complete a set number of paid training hours. This step is mandated for employment, but the exact amount of time will vary depending on where and with whom you are employed. The process usually takes at least two to four years, with around 2,000 total hours of training. You will also be required to take safety training courses to ensure you are prepared for challenges that arise on the job. Plumbing employers and trade unions often set up and sponsor apprenticeships.
Learn the Essentials with Schools for Plumbing
In addition to hands-on training, the plumbing path also include a strong traditional educational component with classroom instruction. Acceptance into schools for plumbing will require that you are 18 or older and have a high school diploma. You can find plumbing-focused courses via a technical school, trade institute, community college, or institutes like the Professional Plumbing Association.The number of courses you are required to take will depend on the state where you will be employed. Common classes might cover topics such as local plumbing codes or specific setups like water heating systems.
Seek Licensure
After you have completed your classroom and on-the-job training, you can go after that license that will enable you to ply your trade as a professional. Your final barrier will come in the form of a test that assesses all the knowledge you have attained. The test will likely include both a written and a skills application portion. You must pass this test before you receive your license.
Find Your Path
Plumbers can pursue many different avenues for employment. They may become independent contractors, seek their own clients, and set their own hours. Or they may choose to work with a small group of other professionals at a business. They may work in the residential or commercial industries or may even be hired by the government for large-scale projects.Enterprising plumbers may also want to pursue a specialty, which will usually require additional training, or focus their talents on design work rather than hands-on work.If you prepare with the right mindset, education, training, and work ethic, your options as a plumber are only limited by your motivation and ambition. Once you've started your journey towards a dream job, visit Service Box for software solutions tailored to professionals who offer home services like plumbing.
