Would like to get into the plumbing trade

Mad Dog_2

I have been in your postion a few times in my life and I feel your frustration. At one point, when I was trying to "get back" to union work in NYC, I sent out more than 50 resumes. My resume WAS impressive (so I was told), but nothing was happening. I was getting REALLY p.o.'d because I knew that most of these shops had their little pets that laid back, didn't kill themselves, would stroll on to the jobs 1/2 hour late every day and miss atleast one day every other week. I edited my resume and added on the bottom in BOLD: I come to work ON TIME....EVERYDAY....and I GIVE IT HELL!!!!. I resent it out to about 20 shops this time. Within a week I had a good job running work as a Union Foreman. Sometimes you have to be bold. If you want in BAD enough, the opportunity will present itself. In the meantime, you need to take EVERY book out of the library on Plumbing and Heating and devour them. Start coming here every day. Before you know it that opportunity WILL happen. Mad Dog

p.s. Feel free to email me if you want to chat, Sheldon:
plumbingC@aol.com

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Shelby

need some advise!

I figured that this would be the best place to get some advise. I would like to get into the plumbing trade but seem to be running into a wall so to speak. Outfits seem to be looking for 2nd year plus apprentices only. My question is, how do you get there. Why in the alberta economy boom are so many outfits scared to give a newbie a shot at it? They talk of having to import workers from elsewhere to fill the void. Hey I am right here born and raised. I have applied at a couple of places with no luck so far. I was told by one that I should stick to the manufacturing field because that is where I have my roots. I have 11 years exp. in the plumbing industry, just not in the trades field. I enjoy working with my hands. I can braze, solder, read and draw blueprints in AutoCad. I have major amounts of t-drill experience, T-50, T-55, S-20, S-54, S-55, and T-150 collaring machines. SP-55, SP-80, SP-100 and SP-110 end finishing machines and so on. I have worked with different types of pipe bending equipment. I have used the vic. and G.L. machines for copper pipe. I have also helped install over 20 000 sq. feet of pex tubing under the watchful eye of a plumber with over thirty years of experience. This was for our shop expansions. That job is hard on the back, lol. I could keep going but I think this is enough. Back to the question. How could a person wanting to get into the trade get someone to take a chance on you? You all had to start somewhere so I am asking for some advice. Thanks guys.

Unknown

Hang-in there Sheldon,

people with your apparent passion for the trade are usually rare. In Alberta big outfits have contracts to fill, not much time to dwell on newbies. If you can, try a small shop that`s independent of these larger outfits,,,,you`ll learn more hands-on stuff then you ever dreamed!!
Ever considered moving to Ontario?

Dave

Glen

what part of Alberta????

The best jobs are never advertised. But opportunities still abound.

J.C.A._3

Sheldon....

Keep trying !

It sounds like you'll be happy in the trade, but you may be trying to be a bit "cocky" about your experience...so far.

A couple of things will help to get your foot in the door in the VERY near future....

#1... the willingness to learn. Tell your prospective employer(s) how much you know...but don't overstate that you're a beginner. Truth is stranger than fiction.(dazzle em' with brilliance...baffle em' with bull s#!+ ...won't work for a real pro.)

#2..Show up on time for your appointments. Don't call and say anything other than traffic is keeping from being there on time....and that you're sorry.Continue to do so when hired....because WANTING to be there goes a LONG way!

#3..(and this could work FOR or AGAINST you...) Show your willingness to give the company something that they don't posess...when you apply. Knowledge is a BIG asset...but the employer needs to know IF they can use it.

As long as they are thinking about employing you...why not turn the tables....and ask them about what THEY do ? See if they are working toward the same goals as you are,and how they deal with TRAINING.

Sounds like you've got a bit to give to the right employer...but don't settle for some backwards thinking company...just to get your foot in the door.

Showing a prospective employer the right attitude is the way to go...You can know NOTHING....but with a zest for knowledge, can join the illustrious group of Thermal Environmental Control Technicians that you would like to be.

Be knowledge GREEDY ! (right Milne?)and show yourself to be willing to learn...and you won't have a problem. Best of luck bunky. Chris

John R. Hall

Robert Bean

If Mr. Bean is reading maybe he has some contacts in your area.

Unknown

If your looking,

to make BIG MONEY, and no real trade knowledge in a short length of time, that`s the place. But keep buying lottery tickets!
Good Luck!

Dave

Dave_4

Where are you at?

If you are in Edmonton there are a ton of opportunities to get into the trade. Put together a one page resume, no bs, highlight the plumbing stuff, and head off with a list of companies that do the type of work that interests you. At some of the smaller outfits, you might get to meet the big guy right away. Almost all will let you drop of your resume. When I was looking, I would hit 6-8 shops a day. Not telling how long ago that was. There's always the union but even there you may need to be persistent.For sure there's a place for you and if it's what you want, you will find it. Who do you know in the trade? Great resource, as most companies are so busy that they are always looking for staff and their recommendation would help a lot. Your experience should make you one of the better candidates. If you are near NAIT Patricia Campus stop in and check the bulletin board in the cafeteria as many companies advertise there. Hope this helps, good luck in your search, this trade is a great journey.

Shelby

Just moved to edmonton

I just moved to the city in hopes of improving my chances of finding employment. I come from a town of only about 5000 people. I have tried not to come off as cocky. The people outside of here do not know of most of the things that I have stated today. I don't think that many outfits have T-Drill equipment so I have not brought that up. The company I worked for was alberta custom tee so you can see why I cannot just go out and find the same kind of work just up the street. I really enjoyed my time there and having the opportunity to help it grow from a small area in the back of a plumbing shop to where it was at when I left. I am not after big bucks in a short amount of time just a career doing what I enjoy. Thanks so far on the tips guys

Glen

and -

don't forget local 488

Shelby

I got a job

Well I have my first week now under my belt. Got a job doing new installs. I am having a blast. I should have started down this road long ago. The owner and the foreman for the company are great to work with. My poor cheap 18v cordless drill is going to have a heart attack at this rate. I gotta pick up something better. I am amazed how many tools you need in order to get the job done. Next on the list is a 3/4" crimping tool for pex. I have been told that they are not cheap though. Anyways I just wanted to stop back and say thanks again for the advice.

Mad Dog_2

Congratulations, I just read that

In any case, follow that advice and you will go far. Mad Dog

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Weezbo

Way to go ! *~/:)

Remeber radiant everything and boilers are your best friend:)