Plumbing workers

[Rob and Mel]

Admin/Moderators can you please make this a sticky?

There seems to be lots of plumbers moving or trying to come out to Adelaide,
That dont know about things this end!

If you are coming this is something you need to know!

The goal posts do get moved from time to time but this is how things are as of 11/04/11.

There are FIVE courses you have to do!
One is 6 days... one is 16 one days... one is a full week.... another is one week... you get the idea?

One is for Gas, one is for drainage, one is for hot and cold water, one is for sanitary and fire sprinklers. (and you have to now do a first aid course).

The courses cost you about $650 each but you can (might) get some of the money back if you can get a CITB card and are registered at Skills recognition in the city.

This will allow you to work for someone else!
This DOES NOT give you a level 3 certificate (at the moment but maybe soon).
Level 3 is what you get at the end of your apprenticeship here in OZ.

You can get work and be working while doing this but might not be on the money you expect, you will be classed as an apprentice!

There is now something called RPL (recognised prior learning).
They look at what you have done in the past and fast track you through some of the training.
This is not as easy as it sounds there seems to be lots of UK stuff that does not count towards this.

I think it's about time I got all these details down properly and put it up as a sticky.
Lots of plumbers like myself know nothing about this till they arrive!
I was told I would have to do a course but I have been here 18 months now and am still doing them.

Please feel free to ask any more questions.
Rob

[jlr248]

Great info thanks robandMel. It seems there is lot of proving yourself for plumbers in Oz.
Does anyone know of any Plumbing firms south of the city who are likely to employ pommie plumbers? My OH has 20 years of experience being self employed. He is mainly plumbing and drainage and not corgi registered and covers domestic and industrial plumbing here in Uk.

[sharons dream]

Thanks rob and Mel your thread is really helpful x

[plumber leigh]

Thanks Rob and Mel

Nobody tells you this

We have now got our visas and ive just booked some flights to come over for a reccie in june and i would like to introduce my self to a couple of firms while were there and try and see the guy ive heard you talk about who gives you your skill level.

Are the courses you talk about have to be taken in block or is it one day a week?, can you give me any idea what kind of money you can expect when you are classed as an apprentice?

I have 22 years in the trade plumbing/heating/drainage, corgi/gas safe for 15 years, experience in installation/maintainence/service/ breakdown/new build and worked for myself for the past 12 years

thanks in advance

The Heavens

[Rob and Mel]

plumber leigh,
The courses can only be done when there is a place for you(they are very busy doing these courses),
As a rough idea it has taken me 9 months to do the courses.
Wages vary so dont quote me on this but about $25 is a starting point.
Your experience is very good but it does not seem to hold much weight here,
I work and study with people who have had there own businesses with people working for them and they are still at the same point as me.
I had one job as maintenance plumber at the uni in Manchester for 20 years.

One thing i forgot to put in the first post is you have to do a senior first aid course, This is a weekend course.

Please feel free to contact me I want to help people..
Rob

[plumber leigh]

Cheers for that,

Is the money approx $25 per hr or $25k per year, do you know if you can book the course in advance or from the uk so you can get on it as soon as you arrive?.

Is the work situation as we are led to believe, i.e. lots of it ???, Also is it easy enough to get an appointment with the guy at taffe as i want to try and meet him when i come over in june.

Thanks again for your help

Leigh:)

[Rob and Mel]

$25 per hour 'ish'.
You have to go and see Paul Hebbard and he will book you on the course, once you get here.
I can give you his email address if you like.
You can work while you do the courses as they are evenings or some are for a full week so you can take time off work to do them.
We live in Aberfoyle Park, which is quite close to Morphett Vale, so if you need any help when you get here just give us a shout.

Cheers, Rob

[David & Christine]

Hi Rob can you take me to the first aid course please, thanks David

[Rob and Mel]

Look, Sick note you are going to have to stop doing courses and actually do some work!


For everyone else Sick note is trying to be funny!

Rob

[sharons dream]

Hi rob thanks for all the info. Could you send me Paul hebbards email address please. I can then see how the ground lays as we are hoping to be out by the end of this year.
Thanks xx