For children leaving school, deciding what to do can be quite a task. Plumbing is a good option and can provide a good job with a good level of income, as well as varied work and plenty of job satisfaction. However, let’s take a closer look at this career to see what it involves.

Plumber, Pipefitter, Steamfitter

One thing a lot of people don’t realise is that there are plenty of overlaps in plumbing and there are numerous different areas to qualify in. Let’s take a look:

• Plumbers – the plumber designs, installs and repairs installations. They also focus on lower pressure pipes and fixtures for fresh and waste water, as well as heating and cooing systems. The materials used are of a lighter grade than those of pipefitters or steam fitters. Generally PVC or copper is used for this sort of piping and glues and solders used to hold the items together.
• Pipefitter – similar to a plumber in a lot of ways, however a pipefitter will install heavier materials as the pipes will deal with higher pressures. They are generally employed by industrial companies and manufacturers.
• Steamfitter – steam fitters perform similar work to pipefitters, however they focus on systems for high pressure fluids and gas.

Types of Plumbers

There are a number of sub-sections within the plumber area too – here are the most common sorts:

• Residential New Construction Plumber – Generally this sort of plumber works on the systems that are used within the home. They design and install pipes for fresh and waste water and often work with architects to do so.
• Commercial New Construction Plumber – This plumber deals with different requirements and needs for freshwater and waste water sewage, as well as heating and cooling systems in a commercial realm. They often work with architects too. Jobs tend to be a lot larger and better paid than residential ones because the clients are a lot larger
• Service and repairs plumber – works on plumbing systems in residential and commercial and services and repairs.

A lot of plumbers are actually trained in more areas than one and so they have an option in which area to work.

How to Become a Plumber

An apprenticeship is the most common way for a person to become a plumber and begin training for their new career. Apprenticeship programs will allow you to work on the job and while doing so learn all the skills required when working and also earn money at the same time.

By the end of your apprenticeship you will then be in a strong position, with a qualification and able to look for employment and start your own business. This will give you freedom to work for yourself as well as the chance to develop your skills and knowledge and further your abilities too.

Training is classroom based too and the mixture is down to the training provider.

This advice and information should help you when training as a plumber and provide you with insight into this area of work.