A career as a professional plumber can be extremely rewarding and lucrative. If you want to take that career route, you first have to learn to be a plumber. Becoming a plumber is something that requires dedication, unwavering focus and a rock-solid plan. If you want to figure out how to get into plumbing, you should start by pinpointing all the qualifications to be a plumber. What do you need to be a plumber?
A Look at How to Get Into Plumbing
College degrees and educations aren’t necessary for people who want to become professional plumbers. High school diplomas are sufficient. If you didn’t graduate from high school, high school equivalency works as well. Plumbers often get their GEDs (General Educational Development tests). Individuals who want to get into plumbing have to be capable in subjects such as straightforward mathematics. They have to have grasps of algebra and how it works.
Health and strength are a couple other major considerations. Since plumbing work calls for a lot of physical labor, aspiring professionals need to have healthy knees, shoulders and backs.
How to Become a Plumbers Apprentice
You can find technical schools that offer plumbing programs. You can also supplement this learning with online plumbing courses. Despite that, plumbers typically go into their lines of work via apprenticeship programs. These typically have durations of anywhere between four and five years in total. People can learn about them through union chapters, businesses and nearby trade schools. Apprentices receive payment during training. Their employers cover their coursework fees, too. That’s the reason it can sometimes be rather competitive to score apprenticeships. It can be especially tricky for those who reside in sizable cities that are brimming with aspiring plumbers. If you live in a big city, you may have to “pay your dues” through unpaid assistant or laborer work prior to scoring an apprenticeship of your own.
The Ins and Outs of Plumbing Industry Apprenticeships
Aptitude exams are big parts of apprenticeships. When you take this kind of exam, you have to showcase the fundamentals of thriving as a plumber. Once you pass the test, seasoned and credible plumbers will interview you. If this group gives you the “OK,” you’ll be able to move forward with an apprenticeship that pays you a fraction of the regulated salary. A tradesperson who is experienced will be in charge of overseeing your apprenticeship and progress.
Plumbing apprentices have to go to classes a couple of times per week. They have to do this in the beginning for about four years. These courses are put together by trade unions or nearby technical schools. Once year five begins, apprentices get ready to take certification exams that enable them to gain journeyman plumber status. After they pass them, they have to earn licenses that are necessary within their specific states. Plumbing hopefuls have to cover licensing fees all by themselves. If a plumber even attempts to take jobs without the right licensing in place, he may experience significant consequences.
Journeymen in plumbing can gain master plumber status through taking classes and working successfully and steadily. If you want to become a master, you have to pass a different test. Master plumbers earn more money than journeymen do. They can own plumbing companies. They can even monitor newbie plumbers and apprentices.
Master plumber status isn’t where things have to stop for professionals. If you thrive as a master plumber, then you may be able to land a leadership role. Examples of leadership positions are field supervisor, service manager and general manager. It isn’t uncommon at all for professionals who have worked in these management positions to eventually take initiative and establish plumbing businesses themselves.
Why Becoming a Plumber May Be the Right Career Path for You
Plumbers can learn the ins and outs of their trade as they go. They don’t necessarily have to be in school for years on end. They don’t necessarily have to cover steep tuition expenses, either. Apprentices can earn salaries basically from the start. If you don’t want to have to deal with heavy college or university debt, pursing a plumbing career path may be the best way to go for you.
Some career fields are highly competitive and because of that don’t give people many options in “slots.” That isn’t the case with plumbing. Openings for capable and knowledgeable plumbers pop up all of the time.
Working as a plumber can be extremely lucrative. It can be especially promising financially for professionals who work in major metropolises and their surroundings. For example the salary for plumbers in California is very high, Texas also.
The truth is that work as a plumber is essential in this world. Plumbers are a lot like doctors, nurses, bus drivers, attorneys, grocery store cashiers and others. The world needs them in order to operate day in and day out. Plumbers stay on top of plumbing systems for businesses and homes alike. It doesn’t matter where specifically a plumber is based. This professional most likely will have access to a substantial customer base. Plumbers do not have to think much about job security.
It can be a joy to have strong work-life balance and plenty of time to spare. If a plumber acquires a job that’s all about leadership, he may be able to decide his work schedule without interference from others. That’s the reason so many seasoned plumbing managers are able to lead fulfilling existences with plenty of time alongside their loved ones. Perhaps better yet, plumbers who put the time and effort into starting businesses can often be their own bosses.
Getting a Position As a Plumber
It’s common for individuals to initially acquire actual positions through assistant and apprentice work. They frequently get hired by the seasoned professionals who are in charge of monitoring and training them. Other strong options are on hand to plumbers who are in need of work as well. Plumbers frequently are able to score jobs by combing classified ads in local newspapers and on the Internet. Job boards frequently point plumbers into the direction of available positions, too.