How to Be a Plumber
Becoming a plumber might require a lot of hard work and
learning, it is not a very complicated task. Plumbers perform quite a number of
tasks on a daily basis, such as installing, repairing and performing
maintenance on a variety of piping systems and equipment. Most of the time plumbers
will be providing services such as maintaining drinking water systems such as
distribution and drainage systems. Additionally, plumbers install, repair and maintain
systems that drain storm water and sewage to their appropriate treatment locations.
While most of the time when people consider a plumber they’ll think of someone fixing a kitchen sink, the reality is that plumbers provide an incredibly diverse set of services, far beyond simply the kitchen sink. Inspecting drains, cleaning out pipes, ensuring that hospitals have safe and clean water, installing and upgrading water services, you name it. You can find plumbers working in condos, homes, offices, industrial manufacturing facilities, institutions, and more. Anywhere there is a system that either supplies or drains water a plumber will be needed.
While most of the time when people consider a plumber they’ll think of someone fixing a kitchen sink, the reality is that plumbers provide an incredibly diverse set of services, far beyond simply the kitchen sink. Inspecting drains, cleaning out pipes, ensuring that hospitals have safe and clean water, installing and upgrading water services, you name it. You can find plumbers working in condos, homes, offices, industrial manufacturing facilities, institutions, and more. Anywhere there is a system that either supplies or drains water a plumber will be needed.
Training To Be a Plumber
To become a plumber, you will need to be at least 16 years old and in possession of either a Grade 12 diploma, or equivalency such as a GED. Since plumbing requires a lot of mathematics a good understanding of math and science, in addition to fantastic written and oral communication skills is very important. Preparing yourself to be a plumber will take some practical skill and commitment to on-going learning, part of this process will include becoming an apprentice.
An apprentice is someone who learns the ins and outs of a trade by working alongside professionals that are qualified in their profession. A highly qualified trade’s person will be referred to as a Journeyperson. Most apprenticeships are setup in such a way that the apprentice earns while they are learning, this allows for people to be trained while getting paid for the work they are doing.
It’s interesting to note that the apprenticeship model was first established in the 1400’s and is still in use today, it has proven to be a very effective way to train those new to a wide number of trades. On the job training, taught by a skilled professional who knows the job like the back of their hand is one of the best ways to learn.
Apprentices will also need to attend a training program at a registered apprenticeship program delivery agent. This is necessary to learn the theoretical skill set required to become a plumber. While most apprentices are paid for the work they do at the job site, this portion of the training must be paid for by the apprentice.
An apprentice is someone who learns the ins and outs of a trade by working alongside professionals that are qualified in their profession. A highly qualified trade’s person will be referred to as a Journeyperson. Most apprenticeships are setup in such a way that the apprentice earns while they are learning, this allows for people to be trained while getting paid for the work they are doing.
It’s interesting to note that the apprenticeship model was first established in the 1400’s and is still in use today, it has proven to be a very effective way to train those new to a wide number of trades. On the job training, taught by a skilled professional who knows the job like the back of their hand is one of the best ways to learn.
Apprentices will also need to attend a training program at a registered apprenticeship program delivery agent. This is necessary to learn the theoretical skill set required to become a plumber. While most apprentices are paid for the work they do at the job site, this portion of the training must be paid for by the apprentice.
Finding Work as an Apprentice Plumber
Looking for work as an apprentice requires a significant investment. You will need to investigate your options and discover a plumbing contractor that needs to hire on an apprentice. Depending on where you are located in Canada this will be a very easy task, or a very difficult task. For instance, in the southern Ontario region, it’s easy to find licensed Toronto plumbers simply by conducting a web search. In other areas, such as northern Ontario it may not be quite so easy to find plumbers that you would want to apprentice for. Always make sure you find licensed plumbers when seeking an apprenticeship.
Make sure you have a great resume and cover letter. Correct spelling and grammar will be essential to cut through the noise and make you stand out from the rest of people that do not even bother to take 5 minutes to make a good impression. When addressing any one plumber, make sure you include as much personal information as you can. Update every cover letter every time you send it out to list the plumbing companies name for instance.
To get started you will need to look at the task as a numbers game, the more people you contact the closer you will be to finding a plumber that needs an apprentice. So don’t expect to find work as a plumbing apprentice right away but plan on it taking at least a few weeks. Do some research and find all of the plumbing contractors you can in your area. In the Toronto region this can be as simple as doing a search for “Toronto plumbing contractor” and then recording all of the plumbers you find in a spreadsheet, write down their phone number and record their web address.
At this point you will have a list of plumbers to contact, now go through one by one, and use their website to submit an email via their contact form or email address. Record on your spreadsheet the date you sent an email or used the contact form. Record if they don’t have a contact form or obvious method to contact them. Once you’ve done this, wait a week. If you have yet to hear back from any of the plumbers it’s time to give them a call. Call them on the phone and mention that you sent an email a week or so ago looking for work as an apprentice. This process may take some time but eventually you will find a plumbing contractor that will take you on.
Make sure you have a great resume and cover letter. Correct spelling and grammar will be essential to cut through the noise and make you stand out from the rest of people that do not even bother to take 5 minutes to make a good impression. When addressing any one plumber, make sure you include as much personal information as you can. Update every cover letter every time you send it out to list the plumbing companies name for instance.
To get started you will need to look at the task as a numbers game, the more people you contact the closer you will be to finding a plumber that needs an apprentice. So don’t expect to find work as a plumbing apprentice right away but plan on it taking at least a few weeks. Do some research and find all of the plumbing contractors you can in your area. In the Toronto region this can be as simple as doing a search for “Toronto plumbing contractor” and then recording all of the plumbers you find in a spreadsheet, write down their phone number and record their web address.
At this point you will have a list of plumbers to contact, now go through one by one, and use their website to submit an email via their contact form or email address. Record on your spreadsheet the date you sent an email or used the contact form. Record if they don’t have a contact form or obvious method to contact them. Once you’ve done this, wait a week. If you have yet to hear back from any of the plumbers it’s time to give them a call. Call them on the phone and mention that you sent an email a week or so ago looking for work as an apprentice. This process may take some time but eventually you will find a plumbing contractor that will take you on.
For More Information
Be sure to take a look at our plumbing resources page to get you started in your journey to becoming a plumber!