Sunday, 2 December 2012

How To: Become A Plumber

By James Hamm


Interested in becoming a professional plumber? While plumbers are often caught in a stereotypical mold created by the media, the are generally intelligent business men who have a lucrative career. Plumbers have to go through rigorous training to go from apprentice to journeyman and finally become a master plumber. Most states require you have at least a high-school diploma to begin your apprenticeship and begin your journey to becoming a master.

So what skills do you need to become a plumber? Generally speaking a plumber has an aptitude for working with numbers, has nimble hands and fingers and is able to work in tight spots. It also helps to have some general business knowledge if you want to be able to understand how to run your own business someday. In addition you need to able to work with other people. You will need to speak with customers on a regular basis and also with other tradesmen who might be working near or alongside you.

Your path to becoming a master plumber begins with an apprenticeship. There are often state or union sponsored programs that can provide both hands-on training combined with course-work. These are often in high demand which means your application may not be processed very quickly or have a high chance of being accepted. Check with your local union first to see what's available, how long you'll be expected to wait, to hear news, and to check how competitive the program currently is.

As it can often be a challenge to get access to the union programs, you may also consider a vocation or trade school in your area. These schools should offer plumbing programs that you can attend to get the necessary apprentice skills. Ensure their curriculum covers the subject matter required by your state to complete your apprenticeship. In addition, also make sure the school is accredited and provides a job placement program so you can get placed with a company to earn the additional state requirements.

It usually takes about four or five years to complete an apprentice program. Once you've completed the trade test you will become a journeyman plumber. In order to become a master plumber, you may have to have from four to five years of experience as a journeyman plumber. In addition, you will have to take a test. This test might cover topics such as federal state and local plumbing codes, plumbing systems, and more. Each state has different requirements and testing, so make sure that you work with your local licensing agency to find out specifically what you will need to do to get your master plumber's license.




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