An Introduction To Plumbing NVQ and Technical Certificates

The salaries of Plumbers are often talked about in the national press. The lack of Plumbers in the UK has led to salaries of 30-70k p.a. being exhibited. So, is this really the position or is this basically untrue? For the competent and correctly skilled person, this level of salary is realistic. In fact, earnings in excess of 70 – 100k p.a. are achievable – but that is solely for those who work within the self-employed market-place, rather than those who work within established employment routes.

The normal working week is pretty standard for those who join an established company. Approximately wages of 15k and 30k p.a. are reasonable within the UK, along with standard benefits such as holiday pay and sickness allowance. The self-employed person can generally achieve higher incomes than those available from the traditional approach, but would need to consider working ‘out of hours’ – and probably longer than the typical 9am-6pm Mon-Fri model. For example in the domestic sector where clients are often at work during the working day, self employed plumbers are regularly required to work during evening and weekend visits.

On a personal level remains the issue self-employment, something that does not become everybody. The inclusion of key elements such as utilising good ‘business sense’, covering areas such as advertising and marketing and getting your own cost-per-hour correct is integral to the picture. To be fair most self-employed people will have to prepare for additional costs including those relating to legal and accountancy fees as well as those of transport and material usage. Generally the payback outstrip those of the costs, to the extent that these charges should always be a small part of the earnings overall. Plus the profits nearly always beat the odds!

Initially, by searching for standard work a Student Entrant can get the majority of training especially with working knowledge and experience. The need to increase their certifications and accreditations regularly affect the Self Employed Entrant. Having said that, the majority of self-employed workers do not join the business sector but focus on the ‘domestic’ market. (At least most of them do)

With reference to education in Plumbing, there is a likeness needed by each part of the industry in relation to the certification elements. A key debate however comes into play when considering the issue of NVQ’s (SVQ’s in Scotland.)

At first, the Student Entrant does appear to depend much more on the NVQ structure than the Self Employed Entrant. The Self Employed Entrant will often call upon a wider range of certifications right from the outset; in order to satisfy their perceived client’s requirements. To satisfy their typical household-based client base many self-employed persons will need to quickly focus on the relative domestic skill sets. The Student Entrant will often carry on their studies in the workplace under an apprenticeship where the NVQ element can be assessed. By using this cheaper form of study the Student Entrant can make sound financial savings from the outset. Nevertheless by taking a more commercial viewpoint and gaining qualifications faster than the Student Entrant, many Self Employed Entrants gain greater financial rewards and within a shorter space of time.

Clearly this illustrates the need for a careers discussion that covers certifications and study alongside those of financial returns. It would prove extremely difficult for an adult – requiring 20kp.a and having to look after their family – to go back to college and then spend 3 years in low-paid apprenticeship work. It should also be remembered that many younger Student Entrants are entering an apprenticeship and thereby have their courses paid for them whereas the mature self-employed students do not. These courses can run between 3k through to 10k+, depending upon the course and level of certification required and that is something that people need to consider.

The study process is often split with Student Entrants studying at recognised further-education colleges whereas the mature Self Employed Entrants going for a wider range of private run technical schools. Commercially oriented plumbing course companies will provide an established path of training which ultimately leads into recognised skill-sets and qualifications. The ability to train in evenings, part-time or in self study classes allowing people to continue with their existing job and maintaining their current financial situation remains one of the key advantages to Self Employed Entrants. From this it makes sense to gather as much detail as you can especially with so many training options available. Why not book mark this page (CTRL-D) and then you can come back and review your options from the links and adverts we have provided for you.

Plumbers ‘marketability’ is often increased through the use of additional courses. These courses can provide a range of additional certifications in areas such as Gas, Green Energy and Electrical. A popular route for Plumbers involves that of the normal domestic and commercial heating system training program of Gas Training.

Without a doubt, NVQ’s that follow on core subjects lead into the careful and precise program that is Gas Training. For those who trained as a plumber first and are now looking at extra skills this also offers many options for their on-going development. From this stance, the mature student is often more suited to a cross of Plumbing/Gas training. It is by centring on these core elements and dropping the NVQ elements that the Mature Student appears to settle.

It is from this particular training program that the self-employed professional gains ground. The opportunity to earn money whilst at the same time gain a wider range of skills is certainly part of the attraction. This further enhances their commercial offering, instead of sub-contracting key skills to a third party. Having to wait for critical phases to be completed by sub-contractors can not only reduce the earning potential of each job but can also negatively affect a customer’s perception of a job value overall. The more professional a Plumber is within their field the more that they have to offer their relative client base.

In retrospect, the Self Employed Entrant has the potential to achieve a much higher and more readily available income stream than Student Entrant, but to do so they need to develop both their business skills and achieve a broader range of certifications. Note: This information reflects the needs and requirements for the industry and policies of the UK market alone.

(C) Scott Edwards 2009. Look at Plumbing Courses or www.plumbingcourse4u.co.uk.