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My 25yr old son has recently finished 2 yrs of BPEC training, part time while working FT. But he's now struggling to find work and I'm unsure what to suggest to him.
He did have something lined up with a contractor for bathroom fitting at a development but that seems to have fallen through.
I guess he needs a trainee position but at 25 at no longer living at home he needs a decent wage. Would be really grateful for suggestions from anyone in the trade.
I looked into this recently as an older dude and no one was even remotely interested without a full plumbing apprenticeship. Some of that might be location (West Highlands) so interested to see more answers to your post.
I worked behind the counter at a plumbers merchant for 14 years. Every young lad that we saw coming in was doing an apprenticeship and they eventually end up being qualified and were allowed to work alone, or some left and started up by themselves. Plumbers are as tight fisted as they come so apprentices are good because they are cheap.
Personally I think he will struggle to find someone that pays a good wage without him having experience. Also, if he does want experience I wouldn't say fitting bathrooms in new houses is the best option, it's all pushfit plastic which frankly anyone with two hands could put together.
Has he thought about doing his gas certs? That would make him more employable but it's more outlay for him and he'll still need the experience. If he can find someone friendly they might allow him to tag along and ask questions while they are on a job.
Where do you/him live?
Message me if London, Herts, Beds or Essex areas, I run a residential construction company and have a few contacts dotted about and may be able to help
He's in Worthing unfortunately, but really appreciate the offer.
Sounds like he may need to relook at apprenticeships and find a way to take the potential hit on short term earnings?
I'll ask around anyway for you
Thanks, that's really kind of you.
Good point about gas certs above. I had booked to do mine (£8k, 1 year) but again no one round here would touch me without a plumbing qualification too so I sacked it off. The quali would have let me walk into some well paid jobs in the central belt so depending on your location might be an option.
I work for a large firm, I'm afraid we wouldn't employ anyone on the plumbing side without an apprenticeship behind them. Lots of colleges are offering courses in all sorts of trades but in general in my experience they are not a great route into employment unless self employed. You/he could try contacting lots of agencies and see if he could get some work and gain experience and contacts through that but generally I'd say you'd have to take the hit on income and get certified. Try social housing firms if they are taking on apprentices he could have a good head start on applications as we get hundreds for every position so anything to make you stand out. Best of luck to your lad.
There used to be an age cap (<25yrs) on Government subsidies for apprentices but this was removed a few years ago - some employers probably think older apprentices not eligible. The main reason that potential employers are reluctant to take on apprentices is they feel they don’t stick at it/see it through so worth mentioning when engaging with prospective employers?
What about approaching the energy suppliers eg British Gas about possible roles? Or maybe roles similar areas like air conditioning? NHS? Facilities companies?
Thanks all,lots of good advice. Apprenticeship seems the way to go and some different avenues to consider.