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Greg Ritchie |
However, this young plumbing apprentice says that his job is challenging and interesting.
It's not all about blocked toilets and drains. There is so much more to it.
He didn't however take on the trade after leaving Inglewood High School. Instead, he studied and worked in ...
Alternative Career Options
Roofer and Drainlayer
Job Overview: If you like to think practically, you are good with your hands and wouldn't be seen dead in a suit, an apprenticeship in plumbing/gasfitting could be for you. Plumbers and gasfitters assemble, install and repair the pipes, fixtures and fittings used to supply water and gas or to remove wastes.
ALTERNATIVE TITLES
Other career options in this field that are experiencing staff shortages are:
Plumber Maintenance
Plumber
Roofer
Drainlayer
TASKS AND DUTIES
Plumbers and gasfitters:
- replace or repair damaged pipes
- install and join pipes and fittings
- test joins for leaks
- install fixtures such as gas stoves, toilets, fan extractors, ducted systems, showers, basins, tapware, hot water cylinders, tubs etc
- install and maintain hot water and heating systems, such as fuel (gas and wood) installations and central heating (gas and radiators)
- install and repair spouting and downpipes
- may run their own business
- study building plans
- discuss the client's requirements
TRAITS OF A GOOD PLUMBER/GASFITTERPlumbers and gasfitters need to have excellent communication, problem-solving, organisational and practical work skills. They also need to have the ability to follow instructions, and skill in interpreting figures and drawings. Record keeping and listening skills are also important.
Plumbers and gasfitters need to know about plumbing materials methods, as well as building and safety regulations. They need to have an eye for detail and be accurate, quick thinking and efficient. They should also be safety-conscious and not afraid to work at heights.
Plumbers and gasfitters need to be fit and healthy, and have good hand-eye co-ordination. They also need upper body strength as some lifting is involved.
Throughout your plumbing/gasfitting apprenticeship you will learn how to:
-Use tools with skill and safety
-Install low-pressure hot water cylinders and domestic appliances
-Produce pipe work (no leaks!)
-Install kitchen sinks, waste disposal units, washing machines etc
-Find faults
QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING NEEDED
A minimum of three years at secondary school is usually required to enter this job as an apprentice (four years is preferred. Useful subjects include English, Maths, Science, Technical Drawing and Workshop Technology. Once you are employed as a plumbing apprentice, training is a mix of on-job (roughly 80%) and off-job (20%) training. The plumbing and gasfitting apprenticeship is generally udertaken together. It is competency based and takes arund three and a half to four and a half yers to complete. The drainlaying apprenticeship may also be done at the same time. A plumbing pre-apprenticeship course is optional for those wanting to enter the trade. This is not offered locally in Taranaki, but is available from Unitec (Auckland), Wintec (Hamilton), Weltec (Lower Hutt) and Whitireia Polytechnic (Porirua). However, attending these may not reduce the length of an apprenticeship.
The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board administer registration and licensing. Everyone working on the tools in the industry requires a licence from the board. Apprentices hold a limited certificate from the Board. Once you gain your National Certificate(s) you still must pass the Board exam to become registered and licenced to work in New Zealand.
Useful work experience for plumbers and gasfitters includes:
- drainlaying
- work in the building, construction heating and ventilation industries
- maintenance diagnostic work
- welding and sheetmetal work
- any work that involves using hand tools
STUDY COSTS
Fees for an ITO apprenticeship in plumbing and gasfitting are $6000.
In the industry it is known that employers can pay for the costs associated with your apprenticeship study. Other employers pay for your study notes and/or block courses. Some employers have an agreement with their apprentices where the cost of study comes out of their wage.
If you wish to enroll in a pre-apprenticeship course, the study length and costs vary depending on which institute you chose to study at. Some pre-trade courses are 6 months and can cost up to $2,500, while year long certificate courses can cost up to $4,500.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
Plumbers and gasfitters have a lot of job variety and a mix of inside and outside work. Plumbers and Gasfitters work a normal 8 hour day plus extra hours as required, maybe evenings, weekends, or be on-call, depending on the work to be completed. A large percentage of plumbers in Taranaki also carry out gasfitting and drainlaying work. Plumbers and Gasfitters salaryies depend on a range of factors such as experience. First year apprentices can expect to earn $300-$400 per week, experienced apprentices earn $400-$500 per week, while skill and qualified Plumbers can earn $1000 plus per week. Self-employed Plumbers and Gasfitters may earn more than this.
Plumbers and Gasfitters work independently and in teams. They have contact with clients, building managers, other trades people such as builders and electricians, engineers, plumbing and gasfitting suppliers, plumbing and gasfitting inspectors, and other professionals such as architects.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES - Where can this qualification lead to in the future?
A major influence on job opportunities is the state of the building and construction industry, which is currently very strong in Taranaki. It is well known that Taranaki building industry is booming! New inner city apartments are being built, land on the outskirts of town is being subdivided and more people are now renovating their houses.Turnover among plumbers and gasfitters is low. The varied nature of the work may contribute to this as many qualified plumbers and gasfitters go on to become craftsmen plumbers, own their own business, contract for others, enter design or consultancy work or teach.
A major career opportunity for plumbers is to own their own business. The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board administer the craftsman exam. Passing the exam enables a registered plumber or gasfitter to reach the advanced level of craftsman.
COMPANY PROFILES
Below is a list of Taranaki businesses that employ plumbers (these are only example businesses for you to research this particular career choice). In addition, write-ups featured in the Career Profiles section provide some insight into the work environment and opportunities available within the industry.
- Flush Plumbing Ltd, Fitzroy
- Penniall Jordan & Co Ltd, Broadway, Stratford
- Houghtons Plumbing Heating & Gas, Princess Street, Hawera
Visit the Scholarships section of the site
RELEVANT CONTACTS
Plumbing Gasfitting and Drainlaying Industry Training Organisation| Phone: | 0800 277 736 |
| Email: | info@ito.org.nz |
Recruitment Taskforce Coordinator
| Taranaki Contact: | Peter Reilly |
| Phone: | 0800 999 838 |
| Email: | peter@taskforce.org.nz |
Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Assocation Inc
| Phone: | (06) 759 6237 |
| Website: | http://www.masterplumbers.org.nz |
Modern Apprenticeships
| Taranaki Contact: | Nigel Scrimshaw |
| Phone: | 0800 876 4664 |
| Email: | nigel.scrimshaw@ghtraining.co.nz |
| Website: | http://www.modern-apprenticeships.govt.nz |
MasterLink
| Taranaki Contact: | Tony Pearce |
| Phone: | (04) 384 4184 |
| Email: | tony.pearce@masterlink.co.nz |
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board Phone
| Phone: | (04) 494 2970 |
| Email: | enquiries@pgdb.co.nz |
| Website: | http://www.pgdb.co.nz |
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