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OT: Appr Plumber looking for Mtns based work

Breezy

13-Dec-2008
9:38:11 PM

I am a 33 year old second year apprentice plumber, i currently live in Hazelbrook in the Mountains and travel to the Eastern Suburbs for work each day (bondi,coogee etc).
I am looking to finish my apprenticeship with a mtns based plumber (Penrith - Mt Vic).
If you know a plumber in the mtns or penrith looking for, or needing an apprentice please have them contact me as i am very keen to be working closer to home.
Thanks
Cameron
cameronbreeze(at)live.com.au

Phil Box

15-Dec-2008
9:04:34 AM

Jeez, Cameron, I hope you didn't start your first year when you finished school at 17. It's gunna be a long aprenticeship.

Breezy

15-Dec-2008
7:13:45 PM

LOL

Good One.

Nah i started when i was 32 :) Had more important things to do till then, like climbing :)

Superstu

15-Dec-2008
8:47:07 PM

How did you get your start? Can I become an apprentice sparkie at 37 ?

Phil Box

16-Dec-2008
9:59:27 AM

Yeah, anyone can become a mature age apprentice. It is not such a good deal for the employer though as the wages are much much higher. You have to find an employer who is prepared to take on someone with no experience at a higher rate of pay than someone fresh out of school. Of course the benefits of hiring someone older is that they can actually think for themselves and not make the same mistake over and over again.

Swings and roundabouts. It would be up to you to present to an employer the very real benefits that you would offer. Sell yourself and then follow through with enthusiasm and a dedication to getting the job done and not wanting to always take off early.

I'm sure you'll get an electrical apprenticeship, particularly if you have a natural inclination towards that side of the trade.

evanbb

16-Dec-2008
10:23:52 AM

I've got a good mate who started his plumbing apprenticeship at 30. He's doing really well, for all the reasons you mentioned. He's got no experience with plumbing, but can do all the other stuff, like talk nicely to customers, realise problems before they happen and other things that come with maturity. He's getting paid more as a result too.

Superstu

16-Dec-2008
4:58:43 PM

Food for thought. I left my stuffy desk job last year and have been biding my time renovating my flat, doing all the work myself, learning as I go. Have thoroughly enjoyed it so thinking about taking up a trade. A could handle a few years on a crap wage if the light at the end of the tunnel is possible self employment with a trade everyone needs. Plumbing was ok but hard, flooring good fun, painting & gyprocking a bit tedious, Liked the carpentry and the electricals the most (maybe the latter was exciting because it was a bit noighty and if I f*cked up its toaster time ;-) Have approached one electrician and one carpenter so far, not much interest, but might have to trundle down to the local centrelink in the new year to see who's hiring in our uncertain ekonomic timez.

Breezy

16-Dec-2008
8:24:37 PM

Hi Stu
I too worked in an office for two years after breaking my leg.

I got my start because i was working for a builder as a labourer and his plumber offered it to me.
Best advice i can give is to get in contact with an australian apprenticeships centre

www.newapprenticeships.gov.au

While the wage is crap you can generally get a bit more than a first year straight out of school also the government offer a wge top up if you are over 30 of $150 a week first year, $100 a week second year (taxed). Also depending on the wage you get, partners income, any children etc you can also qualify for austudy. You also get rebates etc like $100 rebate on car rego (private use car).
Like you said there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I am just finding the 20+ hrs a week travel too much and with a partner and child cant really afford to live in sydney, dont really want to either :) Thats why i am looking to get work closer to home.

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