Have you spent the last few months trying to decide on the most ideal career path for your future? Based on your strengths and interests, do you not really feel that a traditional college degree program is the best choice for you? Are you determined to complete some sort of formal training program, so now you are instead considering attending a vocational institute to learn a specific trade? Choosing to attend a vocational institute is definitely a viable option for students, so now you just need to decide on a particular trade that you would like to learn. If you enjoy working with your hands and you don’t want an office type job, then perhaps you should consider pursuing a career as a plumber. We have listed the top plumbing trade schools and hope you find what you are looking for.
First of all, it is important to understand that it is possible for a trained plumber to focus their career in an area of commercial plumbing or in residential plumbing. Keep in mind, if you live and work in a smaller, more rural area then you may find that you will want to be open to both types of jobs in order to keep a constant flow of work opportunities. However, in larger, metropolitan areas you may likely find it more beneficial to focus your work efforts in one particular area so that you can build a solid reputation. Keep in mind, in service industries such as this, referrals and your reputation will largely contribute to your overall success. Thus, it will be critical that your work is reasonably priced, that it is in alignment with mandated codes and regulations, and that you deliver an end product that suits your client’s needs and wishes. Although it is not a requirement, most plumbers choose to work in a self-employed capacity, which makes it important for them to stay abreast of plumbing regulations as they are updated or created. If being a self-employed plumber is not appealing to you, then perhaps you will want to consider working as a contractor for school systems, property management companies, or for larger plumbing corporations who offer their services on a larger scale.
On any given day as a plumber you may find yourself reading blueprints so that you can estimate the cost of a plumbing job for a potential customer. You can also expect to be required to install appliances (such as bathtubs, water heaters, or dishwashers), to find leaks that are causing problems in existing piping systems, to install underground piping systems, and to install new piping systems at a variety of locations. In this profession it will be important that you are able to efficiently work with substances such as cement, bolts, clamps, pipe glue, and caulk. While it is not mandatory, become certified by nationally recognized plumbing organizations may help potential customers choose your services over fellow plumbers in your area. In addition, potential customers will be looking for a plumber who can maneuver in tight spaces and who will leave their location tidy.