Plumbing trade?

[ttmadness]

Thanks for the replies so far.

What I like about the idea of doing a trade is that you are actually someone who is 'getting real stuff done' for people and able to see and be proud of your work, rather than an office drone or paper pusher- juggling words and numbers for some corporation.

Any other suggestions and opinions are appreciated. Has anyone gone through Unitec for trades?

[neels]

My bro was a plumber, had trouble getting an apprenticeship until he had done a short pre course at polytech, after that he was fine. He mainly did new houses so there wasn't much digging around in shit.

I think it's easier for employers if you've done something, if you've passed a course then you at least know which end of a hammer to hold.

I think things have changed a bit now, you can get your apprenticeship through an organisation and 'belong' to them and get assigned an employer, which gives you somewhere to go back to if you don't think things are going as they should

A couple of linkys
http://www.bcito.org.nz/
http://www.modern-apprenticeships.govt.nz/

[ttmadness]

Thanks mate.

Does anyone know if those apprenticeship companies are any good?

[Swoop]

Does anyone know if those apprenticeship companies are any good?

Moden apprenticeship coordinators are like dating agencies, trying to match up suitable applicants for an employer offering an apprenticeship.

A few companies are hiring new staff as they see an increased demand due to Chch workload.

You might be better off to phone the plumbing ITO and confirm that a pre-trade course done at Unitec will be cross-credited to their system.

[SMOKEU]

I've worked for plenty of plumbers before and you really don't want to work in the new houses or big construction sites as they are shit to work on.

Maintenance plumbing is a lot nicer to do.

[ttmadness]

Is it true that plumbers earn more than electricians? I think being an electrician would be sweet and would be more applicable to everyday life too but obviously pay is a factor.

[Swoop]

Have you phoned the ITO yet?

[ynot slow]

Attitude is everything,talking to a plumber who was thinking of training a guy,his idea was a kid with a good work ethic and no polytech would be first choice over a polytech groomed guy who had a dodgy report on attendance,attitude,but could pass the course.

Too many kids do a tech course from school to get the $1000 course fees to buy a car,they turn up(sometimes to course,ffs only 6hours some days),and because the classes are open to everyone,even idiots unable to complete forms qualify at end.

As stated go to each company,have a word with the boss and offer to work for gas money and lunch you never know,and best part is no student loan if your hired.

[firefighter]

Has anyone gone through Unitec for trades?

A mate of mine decided to career change to building (he just always wanted to do it) and did the fulltime year course at Unitec.

He learnt a shit-load and found it pretty useful on the building site, in saying that they actually build a house as a part of their course. Obviously not everything he found useful but the right attitude you can top the course pretty easy, as there are a lot of losers that do the courses, don't turn up or do the assignments etc.

He also worked for free as a hammer hand and ended up being paid in pretty expensive new tools, new tyres for his van etc......worked out pretty well for him as he landed a job out of it well before the end of his course.

Unitec is the place to do it in Auckland for sure and I recommend it for trades. It's just where you go for trades.