5 Things to Know BEFORE Becoming a PLUMBING APPRENTICE
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- Опубликовано: 14 фев 2021
- 5 Things to Know BEFORE You Become a PLUMBING APPRENTICE //
When you're seriously considering becoming a plumbing apprentice, you have a TON of questions. That's perfectly acceptable. I had a lot of questions too when I was becoming an apprentice plumber.
So in this video I'm going to tell you 5 things you need to know before you become a plumbing apprentice. These tips will help you in your plumbing career early on and might even help you decide if you even want to become a plumbing apprentice.
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Thanks for watching! I'm Roger Wakefield, LEED AP, The Expert Plumber and welcome to my channel. On this channel I teach homeowners how to save money on their plumbing by doing DIY plumbing projects. I also teach plumbers and plumbing company owners how to be the best plumbers in their area and run successful plumbing businesses. My goal is teach you everything you need to know about plumbing.
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As a master plumber I tell apprentices the key to being a good plumber is just like having a woman. You have to know when to be gentle & when to be rough. If you can learn that you'll have a good career & personal life.
This advice is 100%
Good luck with that though. I know how to be gentle and rough while at work plumbing, but trying to think you know a woman will eventually backfire on you some how. They are way more complicated than plumbing and impossible to comprehend. But we're dumb and like women more than anything regardless the consequence. Lol. Just joking.
Or am I?
@@mylifeofchaos I'm know you're not joking. I also know you still have a bit to learn. Good luck on your journey.
@@rickhammar1636 Thank you. I try to learn something new every day.
Could you please explain how i can go aboit getting my first apprenticeship. I have to have a plumbing job in order to get my apprentice license here in texas. Thank you!
I am not going to college my dad is a master plumber and I can learn straight from him . Talk about paid to learn . I'm really really thankful and grateful. And I feel great to be debt free.
You’re lucky man. I have no connections to anyone who is a plumber but I am very passionate about learning plumbing
I start Monday as an apprentice for my Dad at his Company, I’m 22 and have been really wanting to find a trade or get my CDL, wish me luck! Hope all is well with you
@@jeffnuts2402 did you end up finding a company or did you join the union ?
The only thing you have to worry about from my experience, is after 31 years as being a plumber/ pipefighter is your body giving out.
Not really. Well if that’s what you want to chance well Ofcourse. But if your getting up to state test an master plumbing license an all that. You may after some time going. Open a business for yourself and not use your license under someone else’s company making money for someone else. Sure you’ll be paid nicely also. But some of it is going into someone else’s pocket. Eventually get a business going. And put someone else in that spot that’s working for your pockets. And cut your own work down some or in half. Or go out an do things here an there if work is enough your backed up. You only break yourself down. If u get the master pay through someone else’s business and at that point quit trying to progress further.
Lift a little a lot but still push yourself
That's 31 years though and besides if you stay in good shape you should be fine no??
@@JorgeSanchez-zl8kz Nah. Might honestly be worse. I have been doing it. If you are in good shape you get tasked with the heavy items. Lol But the old school way is you don't last. Lol Anyway I can go into detail
Been a plumbers helper for a year now I really appreciate your videos they've taught me almost as much as my journeyman has in that time
an additional part for tip #1: learn math. you don't have to be a great mathematician, but you need to be able to understand the principles, because you will be doing math in any building trade.
Not true. Basic math is all that is necessary. Honestly, all you need is a ferocious appetite to learn.
7:40
@@WickedG5150 basic math is still math.
College is not for everyone. Good wisdom, Roger. Growing up, college was “the only way to earn a living yak yak yak yak.” I spent so much time stressing about what to major in, and what to do after college. No one ever steered me toward trades-work. Now I do fire sprinkler service work, and I really like what I do.
Thank you for the great info, I can’t wait to become a plumber.
it’s great learning from multiple plumbers at a company because they all work differently and you can really learn a lot
Excellent content. Thank you Roger!
Love the videos Mr Roger i am considering getting into plumbing, thank you
I got a year a couple month as a plumbers apprentice and I love it. W mostly do new homes from grounds to top outs to everything. But you got me thinking of that I should start to learn and get more into it. Thank you for the tips.
Thank you Mr. Wakefield. I'm going to try and get a plumber's apprenticeship later this year.
Great information sir.
Awesome video👍🏻💪🏻
It's good you are educating people about being a plumber and getting in the trades! Most important you are spreading the truth because people that work with their hands get a bad wrap especially plumbers! They're portrayed as dumb buffoons with big guts that drink alot and are the but of jokes about plumbers crack! Parents tell their children when they talk about being in the trades you need to go to college and make something out of your self! You don't want to be a low life walking around in a wife beater undershirt! This type of outlook is common today and I happy to see you trying to change that!
I'm glad I started at the age of 22, I'm currently 27 and a 5th year apprentice. Best choice I've ever made.
I remember when I was young, and full of life
Amazing sir so helpfull
Yes get knowledge and pro tips on doing everything. You have 25-30 years max before your physical body starts taking major damage
Taking some of what toy said and applying it to the trades I'm learning rn since I'm installing cabinets with my dad and the tearout I did involved disconnecting plumbing and cut n capping. I'm no plumber but I can do things and thank god for who I'm learning from. Hopefully I can become a journeyman so I can get my masters since my dad's specialty is cabinets. He's still learning too and and he's almost 50.
Greetings Roger..great video and great tips..I'm in NYC and looking to get in the trade/ apprentice with the educational aspect..but its difficult..any recommendation would be greatly appreciated thank
I am in the OYAP program which provides me with my first year of apprenticeship while still in high school this helps a lot thank you
Same bro
I’m really needing a job, and I just realized that with the big winter we had this February, plumbing looks like a really good career to get into now. I live a state away from Texas, so it seems like I’m in a pretty good spot to become a plumber. Am I having any misconceptions regarding what I’m thinking, or am I on the right track?
learn your ENTIRE trade, even if you intend to specialize.
also, remember: the different trades like to tease each other, but when the chips are down, we're all on the same team, and if you can help a fellow tradesman out, they will be more likely to be happy to help you out.
finally, if you make a mistake and damage someone else's work, tell them, IMMEDIATELY. the sooner they know, the quicker they can fix it. like I told the carpenters on one job, "if you cut something, and tell me, that's job security for me. if you cut something and hide it, that's a nightmare for all of us."
I went through the job corps program back in 2011. They didnt have a specialization for plumbing, but i did building and apartment maint. Ive been in this field and would rather specialize in plumbing. Or painting
I’m a 2 year apprentice working towards my journeymen at the age of 18, and going to school for welding trying to get a couple trades under my belt.
Bad idea bud
@@braydensinclair9792 why
I wouldn’t do that. Ild take the one trade if your set on that. Learn all you can work up quick as you can get time in it an eventually start your own business instead of working for nice pay helping line someone else’s pocket. Get a business going. Some times it takes a while to get going good. But when it does in the long run it’ll be worth it. Than your lining your own pocket. Get enough jobs coming in. Take someone else on an them working for you and their also helping line your pocket to. Than just branch/expand the business and keep learning. Branch into things that more companies refuse to do for one reason or another or whatever.
Like here it’s not the same trade. But I’ve been having one business going for myself for 6 years now. But the leak detection side of my business, there’s only one other company that does it anywhere near me. That atleast specializes in that aspect of it. So worked an started getting all the needed equipment an all. Costed about 20k but. From my other I already know all of the ends an outs of it. An if there’s only one company I know of that’s really doing that. Why not start another to run along side of my other that will be specialized in the leak detection an that only for the specific thing. And take some pieces of that pie.
Ofcourse after some time. And paying off that equipment I’ve purchased for it ect. Than that leak detection company can branch out to leak detect other types of plumbing ect. It may need some more equipment but the majority would already be had. But get a little more geared to testing other types of piping than I originally started it all for. An it just will allow me to grab another piece of that pie. But everything takes time 100%. Buy the way things went starting that first business to where I am now. With the amount of work and yearly income. And the ability to get another business off the ground. I have no regrets an wouldn’t do much different if I had to again
@@braydensinclair9792 amazing idea, as working in the plumbing trade we run into a lot of welded pipe so having my welding certifications would work out amazing.
@@AquaTech225 yes sir I’m wanting to get as much as I can from my current compose they are paying for both my welding classes and my licenses then I’m going to branch out and try and start my own business. I’m certified in aquatherm which for my area only the company I work for currently does it so that be what I attempt to specialize in to begin
4th year apprentice at 22 can take my county journeyman exam now if i wanted to but I’m going to wait to get my state journeyman, also non union company too and we do classes every friday learning the same stuff the union guys do in two nights
Roger, I would give up quite a bit if it meant I could learn this trade from you.
I wish I had worked while in university. As an international student. . options were limited in the USA for me. (could only intern/work within related to major) . it was either unpaid or not convenient hours.
Today I'm starting my shop training for 10 weeks in my pre apprenticeship program! I hope to set myself apart from my peers and get offered at place in the local union before I even graduate! I'm so excited, I should be a 1st year apprentice by May!
How’d it go?
@@johnmoore1495 honestly, I've completed my first year of apprenticeship and part way through my second but I'm considering a career change as my heart really isn't into Plumbing. Nice pay check, handy mechanical skills, not much else.
I've decided I won't continue and I'm considering my next step.
Nothing but mad respect for the men I've worked with. Pride to have a hand in a few cool projects. But it's not for me.
@@Trevorious2010 was there something you didn’t like about it that turned you away from it? Something to do with the work or the schooling? Or did you you just end up feeling like it wasn’t your calling?
@@johnmoore1495 I was put off by the physical nature of the job. I'm cut from a different cloth than those tradesmen I've met. I believe my calling is more cerebral in nature.
Not knocking the trades or Plumbing. Just not for me.
@@Trevorious2010 I’ve always wanted to go into the medical field, but I messed up my second semester in college by taking too many classes and felt like I fell behind and thus never took school seriously after that. Dropped and failed a bunch of classes from 2017-2019 and once the virus hit I gave up on school completely because online learning just isn’t for me. However the last 5 summers I’ve worked as a laborer and enjoy the hands on work, the feeling of being physically tired, and feeling like I actually accomplished something everyday. Seems to help my mood a lot.
I think I’m going to take a crack at school this spring, and try to go into nursing if I can get into the grove of school again. If I can’t get into the rhythm of it then my fallback plan is to get a pre apprenticeship for my local UA next fall and either be a plumber or steamfitter. My friend is a 5th year steamfitter apprentice and seems to enjoy it, I’m more interested in plumbing because I can go out on my own once I get a masters license if I don’t want to work for someone else the rest of my life. Not to mention there’s a lot more side work related to plumbing.
I think I’m similar to you in terms of being cut from a different cloth tho. I’m not big into all the typical hobbies trade guys have (hunting fishing etc) more of a nerd in my spare time. Tried IT, hated the software/coding side, and I can’t imagine sitting at a desk all day being an engineer.
Lol....actually....I grew up with my dad being a plumber....I honestly don't know what it's like not to know how to change a ballcock or install faucets(any faucets) ...I don't remember not knowing how to sweat copper. Great videos sir.
I'm currently a personal trainer/health coach. Been doing this for 5 years & feel time for a change. Watching your videos made me want to take a dive into plumbing. My wife going to school to be a teacher. I do 40-45 hours a week personal training. My question is there a possibility I can be a apprentice 2 days put the week or would I even have a opportunity since I won't be full time?
Hey Roger my names Jared, I’m 24 years old and I am in a career crisis! I’ve been in the kitchen since I was 16. Even tho I’ve learned so much about work ethic and time management and self motivation to push the pace, The kitchen isn’t where I’d like to stay. I’ve taken a considerable amount of time looking into long term careers, 4 yrs of college feels out of the equation for me bc I’ve spent the years after HS at home where I should’ve been in college in the kitchen, and I’m on my own now and need to have an income. I’ve looked at many trades and I strongly feel plumbing might be the most fitting for me. But I’m 24 about to be 25 in a couple months, and I am not sure what route to take w getting educated in plumbing. I have a couple questions and it would mean a lot to hear your opinion. but the most interesting question I have is, if I became an apprentice, is 5 years a structured time I have to reach before I could be a journey man? If I studied and worked as an open shop apprentice and worked overtime and stuck to the technician like glue could I get licensed sooner? Like Is the 5 yr apprentice mandatory? Have you seen apprentices become journeymen in 3 yrs? Like is it a recommendation to do 5 yrs to be a journey man or is it more like keep trying to pass the test until you get journeyman? Another question if you were in my situation what would your recommendation be ? Should I go to plumbing school for 2 yrs I think I saw it for, or would you do the 5 yr apprenticeship? Ideally I have an entrepreneurial spirit and most likely would strongly consider having a business doing residential services if that helps you w your recommendation. I would want to be a master plumber someday bc I’m a grower i like to progress and when there’s progression there’s ideally more value which is more money hallelujah. But I’m out here really having serious conversations w myself to better my life and to give my future wife and children all the necessities they need and a summer vacation every year 🙏🏻. If you could answer my questions or shed some light it would make my day. Thank you roger your videos and wisdom helps a lot of people and they’ve certainly have helped me! Ty 🙏🏻
Started my apprenticeship with Local 130 1987 5 year apprenticeship with a total of 138 school days was lucky to have school at the at local 130 JAC school contractor pays for your days at school for 8 hrs than the other 4 days on the job. My class took a little longer to finish up due to most holidays fell on Monday no classes in the summer fall to spring than take the journeyman test for the union and than the city of chicago plumbers exam. Which the State of Il recognizes due to the city code at the time was the 2nd strictest behind NYC . 31 years and still working
#6 you might be there just to plumb the building, but someone is paying for the whole building. A little help/compromise/or just communication with other trades, gets that job done. Even just giving someone a soda and having a nice work environment goes a long way
Great tips for this 3rd year union plumbing apprentice and gas tech. I always ask Journeymen I meet for any recommendations they have for me to be a better apprentice, but most of the times their response is to keep my mouth shut and ears/eyes open. I took it upon myself to read the IPT's Pipe Trades Handbook & Training Manual, which most of them think is a waste unless I want to become a pipefitter, which may be possible, but I'd rather open my own plumbing and heating business one day. Out union doesn't do service work, which I miss and could help me learn things to start my own business. I'll take Rogers advice and buy a copy of the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code Study Guide today. Although I'm in Canada, the PHCC Fast Track to Service Plumbing course looks like something I'd like to sign up for. I didn't know such a thing existed.
how it is going?
Alright (had to leave plumbing to go back to IT, at least for now). What's up? @@Makha1
I’m 17 and I go to a trade school for plumbing and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Now I’m out on a co op program where instead of going to school to learn plumbing I’m actually out with a company making money and I will still get my high school diploma and I will be a 3 year apprentice
Hey tell me why my water is gray
what if i’m 35 and now wanting to get into it
Is it a better to leave laborers union and join the plumbers instead? Better pension and Healthcare vs plumbers, better pay then laborers, only a 1 year apprentice
anybody Know What schools can help with being an apprentice? (California) im 24 years old
Great video, I’m 37 and have been a stay at home dad for 10 years now, my kids are finally old enough that I can start my career and I’m really looking forward to becoming a tradesman in plumbing, just hope I’m not too old. Keep up the great videos!
Did you become a plumber?
@@johnmoore1495 I’m a second year plumbing apprentice!
@@Red7552 that’s great, do you enjoy it? Are you union or non-union?
Oh yeah 😎
How did that uponor hold up to close to 0 degree weather this last week
PEX is very resistant to cold weather. That's a big thing about it
If I became a journeyman with the Union, would I be able to go into residential plumbing has a journeyman? Are they the same type of journeyman?
It's the same union doesn't mean you do commercial. They do both
I am in the state of Washington. I am non union working in residential. Journeyman for both residential and commercial are different though if you have a journeyman in commercial then you can be a journeyman in residential but I wouldn’t be able to do commercial since no journeyman in commercial.
anybody know how to get started in this?
1. Deploma / GED
2. Formal or Shop
3. Apprenticeship
4. Get Master License
5. Get Certificates
Crikey, those masters recommendation. No wonder he calls himself the "master plumber".
Is 25 too old to get into the field ? 😬 I wanna make the transition from trucking… but the few people I’ve talked to about plumbing started learning the industry as a late teen 😭
Plumber vs electrician.
Is there a degree
What do you suggest for a veteran who was trained in a trade while serving but doesn’t have the necessary private sector credentials or licenses?
I am a veteran’s employment case manager and I run into this all the time.
Oh cool. I am a veteran myself. And I haven’t had a job in 10 years. I am still fighting my VA case. So thank you for what you do.
Good luck sir. And thanks!
@@thornmatthew8395 most of the unions have a fast track program. The UA union has a VIP (Veterans In Piping) program, I believe you do 16 weeks of training and if you pass you immediately get selected for apprenticeship. Where as a non-military person may have to be a pre apprentice for 6-24 months.
Is there an age where you would say that someone is too old to become an apprentice? I am 49 and can’t stand the job I have, but wonder if it’s too late to start over.
I'm 44 and my boss just sent off my application for my apprenticeship license. I feel good man. My body though...
I had an apprentice position lined up with Bernie Madoff but something went wrong.
Roger, I have reached out to you in a previous video with interest in entering the trade. However, due to my distinct schooling position, I don't "qualify". I have always tried to go above and beyond for all of my employers but have always gone un-noticed and so it has always been expected of me to do so.
I have no formal education or GED but I learn QUICK. I have recently gained an interest in plumbing after finding your videos to be the most honest and clear cut on the internet. No boring do this, do that, videos, just straight opinions and great advice.
I'm reaching out to you because I want the opportunity to provide more for my wife and future family. I am 28 about to be 29 and don't want to be a robot for the rest of my life.
Also I am living roughly 1 hour 30 minutes from your home office and would not mind the commute.
College graduates generally do better financially, but a degree definitely doesn't guarantee a good paying job. I make more as an apprentice than I ever did in the legal field.
Beware of the smaller plumbing company owner who wants you to learn and eventually start sending on jobs while still an apprentice without a journeyman is not only violating texas plumbing law but using you to preform a journeymans duties but only pay you an apprentice wage. This is obvious when you are no doubt capable and have been doing this for a while with no encouragement of getting your licence but "encouraged" to come to work and make that "extra" money for your greedy boss cause he wont pay you more than what your apprentice licences says you're qualified for. Ive seen something to this effect first hand. Master plumber trains an apprentice with a good knowledge of plumbing until he is ready to run his own jobs. Master plumber makes extra money by not paying you fairly. Over time its a great amount saved in payroll for the master plumber. Its crooked and greedy. Corrupt. If you notice behaviours similar to these at your work, you may want to find another company that is fair and wants you to get your journeyman and eventually your Master.
Is it possible to earn a decent living if you start in the industry later in life? I'm 34 and am looking for a better career. But I'm afraid I'm going to be too old.
Try it im a running a project with a 56yr old apprentice. Nothing wrong
You’ll be fine.
If your body can handle it, go for it. You’ll most likely take an income hit starting as an apprentice after leaving your other career. But as long as you’re fiscally responsible, you’ll be fine. Always room to make more money.
Since u mentioned Master License, u said u have been in the trade for 40 years. My question is, why did it take u so long to get ur Master License? I'm also Master Plumber here in Texas ur license and mine start with the same 2 numbers. Just curious why it took u long to get it. U should have been a Master Plumber since the 80s since u have been a plumber for 40 years.
Here in Michigan you need 6-8000 hours to test for you journey man license an other 2000 hours to test for your master license. Hope this helps.
@@jamesmarek242 it's the same here in Texas. 8,000 hours is almost about 4 years and then 2 years after that. It took me a total of 6- 1/2 years to become a Master Plumber and I'm also certified for med gas. That's why I don't understand why it took him more than 20 years to get his license.
@@jd.garcia7555 some people learn at a different pace? Maybe family and kids delayed it? Idk.
@@alejandroc7357 family and kids don't delay a test. Especially with the union. I have a wife and kids and that didn't delay me from getting my journeyman and master license. I'm just curious that's all and he never answered me
@@jd.garcia7555 true. I know a guy who has 4+ years. And hasn't taken his journeyman or tradesmen. I'm baffled by it to.
PHCC Plumber here
2nd comment
Got my hands on them book Boyz we get are a joke
If you're going to put yourself in debt for the rest of your literal life for an education, are you educated? Not even close!!
Community college followed up by state college
0 dislikes, just as it should be
Learn how to lift properly
How's your back ?
is it me or does this man have a certain "oh my god becky" teen girl in his voice?
It's just you
It’s just you
It's just you
Is it a better to leave laborers union and join the plumbers instead? Better pension and Healthcare vs plumbers, better pay then laborers, only a 1 year apprentice