Becoming a plumber at 28?

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Hi Mumsnet,

Hoping for some advice from any plumbers or partners of plumbers!

My partner started an NVQ Level 2 Plumbing qualification, it’s almost done but he’s not fully certified until he completes his portfolio.

With all the covid business, he’s suddenly really demotivated and wondering if it’s even possible entering this profession at the age of 28. He has worked in customer sales/retail for 10 years but no room for promotion or progress. Very boring overall.

Is it worth starting plumbing at 28? Most plumbers his age are already highly experienced, many start at 16-18.

Has anyone does this? Any tips at all?

Thank you 💕

Definitely.

Plumbing is a relatively recession-proof trade. People can put off having new kitchens etc, but when you're toilet breaks, you get a big leak or your heating & hot water pack up, getting it fixed isn't really something you can put off.

Definitely do not be disheartened! Plumbing is one of the best payed secure jobs there is!

In twenty years time it will matter he started at 28

Definitely! 28 is so young, may as well spend next few years learning a bomb proof well paid trade

Give him a kick up his arse and tell him to go for it. 28 is nothing. He has years and years ahead of him in a field that is always in demand. Tell him to set a goal of owning his own company in 10 years!

I was hoping it was you as a mum who was to become a plumber - my last plumber was a young woman, 30-something who was constantly busy.

Throughout lockdown on the empty streets of London there were still Pimlico Plumbers vans out and about.

Definitely not too old at 28 to be starting out.

Agree now is the perfect time to do it people will always need toilets, even in lockdown 😂🚽. 28 is really young he should go for it!

Lol, I read your title and thought you were going to ask if it's too young!!! So, yes, it's fine!

My cousins is 47 and recently qualified as a plumber.

My partner started plumbing at 26. He is now a very experienced and knowledgeable Gas Engineer and works for Vaillant (the manufacturers).

IT's a great idea, good for him.

MY next door neighbour has just qualified, aged 46 and he's booked solid.

My DH is in this profession. Started studying when he was 31 and has worked since. No slowing-down during corona. Always plenty of work.
People change carriers after 20years in one field, I think it's quite normal.

Absolutely loving the responses so far! They’re so motivational and I can’t wait to show my partner :) xx

Yep. I started training at 27. The course I was on was a bit pointless and wouldn't have got me qualified in itself as it was college based with no work placement. But as I was throwing myself into finding a career I applied for everything I could on the back of it, went to every trade fair, talked to everyone with any connections etc etc and 15 years later I’m fully trained and experienced and working for myself. It is disheartening at times, theres not so many routes into the industry as there was maybe but once you get the skills you need theres a world of opportunity

28 - too old? 🤣🤣🤣

I mean yeah, he's only got another 40 years to work, it might not be worth it?!

Tell the silly sod not to be SO daft!

Before he's 35, he could be working for himself and making a bloody good income.

Not too old at all. Tell him to contact plumbing firms that do new build houses - they tend to have a high ratio of apprentices and are always looking for new ones.

Also, roofing plumbers are a category of skilled visa for Australia, so even more options!!!

Is he looking for an excuse not to finish? 28 is young enough to do just about anything. It's a bit of a ridiculous notion.

My friend had a science degree and retrained as a plumber in his early 30's, he's very happily running his own business 15 years later.

28 is a baby! Definitely he should go for it now whilst he’s young. My friends ex boyfriends best friend was a lumber and his emergency weekend call out was £90 an hour. I asked how that price was justified and he smirked and said ‘well if you have water pissing through your ceiling how much would you pay to the person who could stop it?’ It’s a trade that will always be in demand.

I retrained to be a nurse and started uni at 27, qualified at 30. My friend who started and qualified at the same time as me is now 50! You're never too old to do anything, I'll always want to keep learning and if I get fed up of my job I'll retrain as something else.

Household with a nurse here, we've had to call the plumber/heating engineer out during Lockdown to sort out the water heater in our bathroom and we had to wait awhile for him as he was so busy...28 is nothing, your partner has years ahead of him yet! All the very best of luck with his new profession.

Not too young. My friend was 39 in their final year of this plumbing quals. A couple of years later, they've built up lots of experience and customer base, and now they're training on renewable energy heating systems. Go for it :)

He’s got another 40 years of working!!!

My husband just qualified as gas safe and he is 34 nearly 35
He worked in mental health since he was 16

He is so proud of himself and I am too

It's not too old! Plumbing has a lot of responsibility and I think being older then 18 is helpful when you need to make decisions