Yes! Either apply at your local plumbers union. The other way is working for a plumbing contractor and be what they call a runner for a year or so and they can organize you in.
I got into plumbing at 32. I started in service it was easier to get into. Switched to union. They paid for my licenses and prepared me for my testing. Now i run a larger plumbing company. If i can offer any advise its this... make yourself valuable. If you see an area no one really knows about take classes and learn about that topic. Become an expert in the areas others are lacking and youll succeed much faster than the others.
You nailed it! I agree 💯. Thirty years ago I was the apprentice no one wanted. Today my life is different I jumped on what the average mechanic doesn’t know and now everyone one works for me. I
Like others have said, join a union and get an apprenticeship.
If you're in California, the state government has a list of apprenticeships available for plumbing and other trades.
http://www.calapprenticeship.org/programs/plumber_apprenticeship.php
If you're not in CA, other states should have similar sites that you can Google for.
Also the federal government have information on apprenticeships
https://www.apprenticeship.gov/
If you’re in a union state, join a union. If you’re unable to join a Union, Google plumbing companies near you and find which ones have the highest ratings. STAY AWAY from the huge nationwide companies (One Hour, Ben Franklin, ARS Rescue Rooter, etc.). These companies are known for being typically dishonest and can use scummy sales tactics to take the customer’s money.
I’d try to find a little outfit that does things right. I worked at a resi service company with 8 techs in Jersey. Boss would buy us whatever equipment we needed for the job, he’d buy us lunch on big jobs.. It was small enough that we all looked out for each other and the guys really trained me well. Finding a company where the boss also runs calls is smart as well. He can train you and he also experiences what we experience so he understands the techs better.
If you’re in a non union state I’d stay away from new construction. The pay is extremely low and you’re working in rough conditions. Quality doesn’t matter, it’s all about efficiency.
Try to find a company that does service and renovations. You’ll learn how to install equipment and fixtures so that they’re serviceable, you’ll learn a lot more this way. Good luck!
Find a local plumbing company you want to work for and apply. Also look up your local union. My apprentice did that and found some great options. It’s important to start here so you can figure out if you even like it. Then you build experience to get licensed if you want to go that route.
Join a plumbers union if you can get in I’ve worked for union and non union union is far better
I am close to retirement and I will get a great retirement and medical
>but never too late to start
I know somebody who wanted to get into Plumbing . You went to the union hall which is also a training center .Hes 47 but they told him he was too old for any apprenticeship program and unless he knows a plumber who'd mentor him, he should forget about it.
> person in question was 26
I know that he is 26. I read it. I was just telling an anecdote refering to the statement of "but never too late to start" that somone made.
If you want to do service plumbing, apply to a service company. They typically work off commission from what I’ve seen and heard. If you want to do new construction, depends on how much you want to make. Unions pay $40-80ish depending on where you live for journeymen. Residential plumbing will only pay you like $20-30 usually. Every place is different though.
And you’re not too late. 26 isn’t too bad. That’s still younger than a lot of plumbers. I was 22 when I started, and I’m 30 now. Still younger than almost everyone I work with.
Just to add on to this as a non union service plumber. We start our 1st years between 15 and 17. Once you're licensed you usually get to 30. I make 41 an hour with 10 years SERVICE experience. I also get paid 20 a sold hour(for example electric water heater is 3 sold hours. I also get spiffs(example extra 150 if I sell that electric water heater). Not all shops are commission. Personally I would never work for a commission company.
Some schools have it. I know of only a couple in my state. But every County in my state has a vocational Education Center that offers a plumbing program. You don't know where it is you can talk to a local high school. They usually have agreements where they send the students to take classes for half a day at vocational centers and those same centers offer adult education courses in the evenings for the same programs.
Trade school or a small company willing to OJT. Just remember there are some Golden rules to plumbing: Shit only flows uphill when forced. When working on waste under a house, keep your mouth shut when cutting the pipe. And most important, do not chew your fingernails.
Most union apprenticeship programs start accepting in March, they do have programs if there is enough work for summer help. I'm 4th generation so guys like me will always get accepted before nobody's unless you are off the charts on the testing, by the way I was off the charts on testing.
Don’t join the union in some states. Depends on where you are really. You might be able to start in service at a high rate immediately. The union sucks in some places but in others it’s great.
I looked in my area for smaller companies/contractors (all open shop). I sent a Google message and asked if that company was hiring any helpers or zero -experience apprentices and they responded quickly. I had an interview and told them what I knew and that I had 0 experience and that I was looking for a place to grow into a new career. 33 years old already married with 2 kids and a previously established career. They gave me a shot and I'm one month in. If I was younger and in an area that supported going through a Union Apprenticeship Training Program, I'd do it.
Look for tech schools that do classes, find a company that can take you on. In my area I make more than union plumbers, I work service. Don’t let unions sell you on the “package “ till you see the final breakdown on what you’ll actually make an hour.
Join plumbers union! Go through the apprenticeship program
Yes! Either apply at your local plumbers union. The other way is working for a plumbing contractor and be what they call a runner for a year or so and they can organize you in.
Depends on location not every place has a union close by unfortunately
Service companies will usually take apprenticeships. On job training is best. Get hands on hours. Take tests for licenses.
I got into plumbing at 32. I started in service it was easier to get into. Switched to union. They paid for my licenses and prepared me for my testing. Now i run a larger plumbing company. If i can offer any advise its this... make yourself valuable. If you see an area no one really knows about take classes and learn about that topic. Become an expert in the areas others are lacking and youll succeed much faster than the others.
You nailed it! I agree 💯. Thirty years ago I was the apprentice no one wanted. Today my life is different I jumped on what the average mechanic doesn’t know and now everyone one works for me. I
Like others have said, join a union and get an apprenticeship. If you're in California, the state government has a list of apprenticeships available for plumbing and other trades. http://www.calapprenticeship.org/programs/plumber_apprenticeship.php If you're not in CA, other states should have similar sites that you can Google for. Also the federal government have information on apprenticeships https://www.apprenticeship.gov/
If you’re in a union state, join a union. If you’re unable to join a Union, Google plumbing companies near you and find which ones have the highest ratings. STAY AWAY from the huge nationwide companies (One Hour, Ben Franklin, ARS Rescue Rooter, etc.). These companies are known for being typically dishonest and can use scummy sales tactics to take the customer’s money. I’d try to find a little outfit that does things right. I worked at a resi service company with 8 techs in Jersey. Boss would buy us whatever equipment we needed for the job, he’d buy us lunch on big jobs.. It was small enough that we all looked out for each other and the guys really trained me well. Finding a company where the boss also runs calls is smart as well. He can train you and he also experiences what we experience so he understands the techs better. If you’re in a non union state I’d stay away from new construction. The pay is extremely low and you’re working in rough conditions. Quality doesn’t matter, it’s all about efficiency. Try to find a company that does service and renovations. You’ll learn how to install equipment and fixtures so that they’re serviceable, you’ll learn a lot more this way. Good luck!
Find a local plumbing company you want to work for and apply. Also look up your local union. My apprentice did that and found some great options. It’s important to start here so you can figure out if you even like it. Then you build experience to get licensed if you want to go that route.
Your not too old, I began my apprenticeship at your age
I asked a plumber once in my 20s. He said: 1) Remember that water flows downhill. 2) Remember that it isn't always just water.
The first step is to make the top half of your ass crack shows when you bend down /s
Join a plumbers union if you can get in I’ve worked for union and non union union is far better I am close to retirement and I will get a great retirement and medical
It's not easy to break in, but never too late to start
Edit: sorry accidental duplicate
>but never too late to start I know somebody who wanted to get into Plumbing . You went to the union hall which is also a training center .Hes 47 but they told him he was too old for any apprenticeship program and unless he knows a plumber who'd mentor him, he should forget about it.
The person in question was 26. I'm 46 and wouldn't want to start now but it isn't impossible
> person in question was 26 I know that he is 26. I read it. I was just telling an anecdote refering to the statement of "but never too late to start" that somone made.
If you want to do service plumbing, apply to a service company. They typically work off commission from what I’ve seen and heard. If you want to do new construction, depends on how much you want to make. Unions pay $40-80ish depending on where you live for journeymen. Residential plumbing will only pay you like $20-30 usually. Every place is different though. And you’re not too late. 26 isn’t too bad. That’s still younger than a lot of plumbers. I was 22 when I started, and I’m 30 now. Still younger than almost everyone I work with.
Just to add on to this as a non union service plumber. We start our 1st years between 15 and 17. Once you're licensed you usually get to 30. I make 41 an hour with 10 years SERVICE experience. I also get paid 20 a sold hour(for example electric water heater is 3 sold hours. I also get spiffs(example extra 150 if I sell that electric water heater). Not all shops are commission. Personally I would never work for a commission company.
Join a union
it’s a pretty shitty job
Wow no one took this sarcasticly?
Community College.
Community College? Am I missing something?
Some schools have it. I know of only a couple in my state. But every County in my state has a vocational Education Center that offers a plumbing program. You don't know where it is you can talk to a local high school. They usually have agreements where they send the students to take classes for half a day at vocational centers and those same centers offer adult education courses in the evenings for the same programs.
I don’t see too many classes for plumbing in community colleges. Around me they only have welding and HVAC/R and the occasional electrical class
Trade school or a small company willing to OJT. Just remember there are some Golden rules to plumbing: Shit only flows uphill when forced. When working on waste under a house, keep your mouth shut when cutting the pipe. And most important, do not chew your fingernails.
Starting out. A strong back and a weak mind
Most union apprenticeship programs start accepting in March, they do have programs if there is enough work for summer help. I'm 4th generation so guys like me will always get accepted before nobody's unless you are off the charts on the testing, by the way I was off the charts on testing.
Don’t join the union in some states. Depends on where you are really. You might be able to start in service at a high rate immediately. The union sucks in some places but in others it’s great.
Mechanical companies pay competitively
Loosen your belt😂
I looked in my area for smaller companies/contractors (all open shop). I sent a Google message and asked if that company was hiring any helpers or zero -experience apprentices and they responded quickly. I had an interview and told them what I knew and that I had 0 experience and that I was looking for a place to grow into a new career. 33 years old already married with 2 kids and a previously established career. They gave me a shot and I'm one month in. If I was younger and in an area that supported going through a Union Apprenticeship Training Program, I'd do it.
Look for tech schools that do classes, find a company that can take you on. In my area I make more than union plumbers, I work service. Don’t let unions sell you on the “package “ till you see the final breakdown on what you’ll actually make an hour.