Hi there
quick question , has anyone had any experience with an someone who has done an entensive 8 week plumbing ,
I have been looking into taking someone on and got a C.V through the door off an 8 week plumber .
i was wondering good 8 week plumber be as good as a good 2nd year apprentice ..
any advice would be helpful

why not give an interview and arrange some what would you do in this situation type questions?

_________________
- Dave
http://www.pamperhouse.net
http://www.invertedcircle.co.uk

In a nutshell not a cat in hells chance, would I take on a course cowboy.

And when puller reads this tell him to keep it clean.

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Depends on the person, to be honest.

We just sacked a 2nd year NVQ student that was highly recommended by the college..........total idiot.

We have a now qualified plumber who had already done a few of these 6 week stints for various aspects and he is ok. he still got sent to college for 2 years by us.

Doesn't too matter whether it is an 8 week wonder or someone in their second year. They still need supervision, low wages, extra time to complete tasks and on the job training by a plumber that has experience.

Don't expect to take on an 8 week any trade or 2nd year any trade and have them working alone for the majority of the time. That will just lose you business

My step daughters bird is doing a plumbing course, 8 weeker. They fitted a bathroom suite in the first week. Before they knew how to solder lol

Think back to when you did your time. Even after 3 years college and on the job training, in your 4th and 5th year of working there will still be things that are going to stump you through lack of experience.

Oh no i,d never leave them unsupervised . but after 8 weeks you would imagine that they would have a good general overview of what goes on but not the hands on experience to confidently do stuff .. but if someone self funds themself through an 8 week course it shows there keen to learn ,

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Sometimes it is well worth approaching the college and taking on someone that they recommend as being a good student.

Although we just sacked our last one, all the other are still with us and qualified. They all were employed in this way.

Ok, so the comparisons are;
The CC/CCC(course cowboy/career change chancer) has listened to some failed Plumber(cr.p tradesmen always end up as college teachers) lecture him parrot fashion from his notes for 8 weeks.

The kid, has had one-to-one with a journeyman for a couple of years, knows the basics & has also had some college work. He may be started doing some jobs on his own, so a little experience - but granted not much.

The CC/CCC has zero experience, never worked in a site enviroment and has clearly failed at any other former career, he has paid top dollar for his pieces of paper, so, why would the people that run the mickey mouse courses not pass him with flying colours??

The kid is young & keen, has an eager mind & wants to learn more. Is not affraid to ask questions & knows that to keep a full time job & carve out a career for himself he needs to pay attension & learn.

The CC/CCC always comes with baggage, other jobs, differing work ethic & pieces of paper that he think says, I'm qualified!!

The kid wins every time in my view & in the views of every Plumbing employer I know.

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I think its all prejudiced rubbish, people are different. you wont know what someone is like until you meet them and give them a trial.

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- Dave
http://www.pamperhouse.net
http://www.invertedcircle.co.uk

To run a successful business Root, you need to train workers to do the job your way, or to put it kindly, forget everything they wasted their money on over the last 8 weeks.

Whether the candidate has the gift or not is immaterial, they need onsite training.

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Think back to when you did your time. Even after 3 years college and on the job training, in your 4th and 5th year of working there will still be things that are going to stump you through lack of experience.


Yup and even after 40 years in the trade, there's still things to learn every day, but that's why I love it & never done anything else.
But c'mon!! 8 weeks?? The whole concept is plain daft.

I remember as a 3rd year apprentice, the Boss came up to me & said; 'Right Puller, next week you're on piece work'!!
'You can do the job, but you're too f.cking slow, get the f.cking fingure out or you'll be getting no wages''. He was the best 'Man Manager' I've ever known & a true Gentleman. He passed away a few years ago & I miss him.
The moral is; In this trade, like most, you need to think fast, know your job & get the head down.

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I agree Scruff that is true, experience counts for 99% of everything

but would it make sense if you need to get someone in that is qualified and will be under supervision to take someone on with less experience for less money, then you can mould them into your methods of working.

You can't just say "you've only done an 8 week course, you can't have any experience... besides to change careers you must've failed in your previous employ, it's not worth seeing whether you can do the job i'm offering."

that could be short changing both the employer and the employee in the long run...

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- Dave
http://www.pamperhouse.net
http://www.invertedcircle.co.uk

First problem is telling them that Saturday and Sunday is no different to any other day in this trade. That will get rid of 75% of the wannabees.

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work week has always been any day with a y in it

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- Dave
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http://www.invertedcircle.co.uk

The 2nd Year Apprentice is a much better bet, no debate.
Dave, when you've employed lots of people for 30+ years, you come back & give us your pearls of wisedom.
Of course every one is different, but there's no place in business for wishy washy trendy left wing views; It's my way or the highway!!............

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