plumber

Skills and Certifications You Need To Become a Plumber

August 16, 2023 by Tim McMahon

Everyone needs a plumber once in a while, so skilled plumbers are always in demand. It is a well-respected profession that requires skill, knowledge, and experience. As a plumber, you will be responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining plumbing systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. You’ll need some technical aptitude and the ability to problem solve quickly when problems arise. Without a doubt, being a plumber requires a variety of skills and a series of certifications. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $59,880 in May 2021. And, most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship. Some attend a vocational-technical school before receiving on-the-job training. Most states require plumbers to be licensed.

If you enjoy working with your hands, a career in plumbing might be for you.

Skills:

Knowledge of Plumbing Systems

To become a plumber, you need to be well-versed in different plumbing systems. You will need to understand how all the pieces fit together and know how to troubleshoot when things go wrong. It’s essential to know the different parts that are used to set up pipes and how to install them correctly. According to Duvall Plumbing Heating and Cooling “Plumbing issues and accidents can be disastrous, costing thousands of dollars in damages.” So, a knowledgeable plumber can be essential to preventing expensive problems.

Attention to Detail

Plumbing problems arise when parts are not installed or sealed correctly. Attention to detail is vital when addressing plumbing issues. To become a plumber, you’ll need to be meticulous and detail-oriented. You need to have the patience to conduct thorough inspections and testing to get to the core of the problem. [Read more…] about Skills and Certifications You Need To Become a Plumber

High School Is Sufficient For These Mainstream Careers

November 16, 2021 by Guest Contributor

Careers That Don’t Require a Degree

In school, they say you need a degree to get a good job. But that isn’t true, High School is sufficient for these mainstream careers. There are quite a few high-paying jobs out there that do not require a College degree. Often all you need is a high school diploma or its equivalent and sometimes not even that.

Plumber

A plumber is someone who deals with the plumbing in a home or building. This includes installing pipes, sinks, toilets, water heaters, and water-softener units. To become a plumber, you need a high school diploma, be 18 or older, and complete required training. Once you do this, you need to complete a plumbing apprenticeship and then get your plumber’s license, all the while getting paid to learn. Getting your plumber’s license will have different requirements depending on the state you live in. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters earned an average of $56,330/yr. in May 2020.

The BLS projects about 51,000 openings for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters each year over the next decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who retire. [Read more…] about High School Is Sufficient For These Mainstream Careers

Jobs that Don’t Require a 4 Year Degree

July 30, 2019 by Guest Contributor

Even though you might be willing to go to school so that you can launch a great new career, you might not be able to spend years getting an education. You might have bills and responsibilities that have to be taken care of right now, so you might need to start bringing in an income relatively quickly. Luckily, there are some career options that don’t require a lot of schooling but that can still provide you with a nice income. These are some of the options that you can explore.

CNA or Home Health Aide

If you would like to help others but can’t dedicate the time that is required to earn a nursing degree, then you can consider becoming a CNA or home health aide. People often lump CNAs, Orderlies, and Medical Assistants together but their roles are slightly different. All these jobs are medical-related and involve assisting Doctors, Nurses and patients but CNAs have more specific duties. CNAs must complete 75 hours of state-approved training and pass a competency test. Nursing assistants only need to complete a brief on the job training period. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Nursing Assistants and Orderlies earn about $28,530/yr. or $13.72/hr. and job growth is expected to be faster than average.

Dental Hygienist

Taking good care of your teeth is very important. If you would like to help others with having healthy mouths and smiles that they can be proud of, you can try pursuing a career as a dental hygienist. You can get a specialized associate’s degree and secure a job as a dental hygienist, allowing you to make a good income. The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $74,820 in May 2018 or $35.97/ hour.

What Skills are Needed to Become a Plumber?

August 29, 2013 by Guest Contributor

To become a plumber you may not need any previous experience or academic qualifications, but there will be certain skills you need to demonstrate.

Some courses and apprenticeships may require a number of GCSEs, whereas others are open to everyone. Despite the lack of need for formal qualifications, plumbing isn’t for everyone so you need to evaluate your suitability based on your own individual skill-set.

Note: The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification awarded in a specified subject, generally taken in a number of subjects by students aged 14–16 in secondary education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Physical

It may not seem like a particularly physically demanding job at first, but plumbers need to have some dexterity and flexibility. Small confined spaces underneath sinks and round the back of appliances means that you might end up stuck in an uncomfortable position for some length of time.

While it may be awkward, you will still need to be able to do the job in hand. It’s also likely that you’ll need to climb ladders or steps and lift heavy items, so a reasonable level of fitness is essential.

Academic

It may not be necessary to have 10 GCSEs and 4 A Levels to become a plumber, but there are some basic skills you will need, particularly in mathematics.

You’ll probably have to do some arithmetic and use statistics for certain projects but it’s also possible that physics will come into play with fluid movements and pressure. But often tables and standard sizes are available so you probably won’t need to do the calculations yourself.

If you left school without any qualifications in these areas, you may get the chance to show your natural abilities and develop your knowledge on plumbing courses.

Personal

As a plumber, most of your work will be [Read more…] about What Skills are Needed to Become a Plumber?