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A career in plumbing is both promising and rewarding, but what does it take to actually become a plumber in Melbourne? The plumbing trade is constantly advancing, and getting a plumbing qualification is a step in the right direction for a positive future. Becoming a Melbourne plumber will ensure you always have a job in an ever-growing industry, one that will never become obsolete. It is a career path that is full of opportunities, with plenty of room for growth and expansion.
To become a fully licensed and registered plumber in Melbourne you’ll need dedication, a little hard work, and at least 4+ years of training. Just like other trades such as carpentry and electrical engineering, you must complete an apprenticeship which includes onsite training with a qualified plumber, and part-time trade school.
If you are interested in learning to become a Melbourne plumber there are a few things you might be interested to know.
STEP 1 – PRE-APPRENTICESHIP / CERTIFICATE II
The first step is to find a TAFE that offers Certificate II in Plumbing, and enrol. This course runs over approximately 6 months and includes practical workshop training in sanitary, water and gas principles, and practises. On hand work experience is beneficial over this period of time, and many students are able to secure apprenticeships before the duration of the course. Qualified plumbers will only give apprenticeships to students who have completed, or are actively participating in a plumbing pre-apprenticeship.
STEP 2 – APPRENTICESHIP / CERTIFICATE III
Once you have completed Certificate II, you will need to secure an apprenticeship with a qualified and licensed plumber. Certificate III in plumbing is nationally accredited, and there are job network agencies to assist both students and employers enter into secure, plumbing apprenticeships. The course runs over 4 years which incudes part time trade school (usually one day a week).
STEP 3 – GETTING REGISTERED
At the end of the 4-year apprenticeship, you will be required to pass an exam that is submitted and assessed by the Victorian Building Authority. Once you have successfully completed this, you will receive your registration card and can begin working. For plumbing work on an industrial site, you will also need to apply for your white card.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Plumbers have a variety of call-outs on a daily basis. Some of these tasks include:
You can earn quite a good living as a plumber, and there are always opportunities for advancement. Plumbing falls into 3 classes: Main class, Specialist class and Restricted class, and depending on which class your training puts you in, determines your overall job description and salary.
Main class – This area of plumbing means you are able to perform the main duties listed above, and depends on the training you received during the apprenticeship period.
Specialist Class – To be in the specialist class of plumbers, a registered and licensed plumber is required to partake in extra training and study.
Restricted class – Plumbers who specialise and train in a specific area of plumbing fall into this category and they can only perform the skills they were trained in. Examples of these restricted areas are roofing, fire and mechanical services.
Choosing to be a plumber is a great career choice for anyone. The industry itself is growing every day, meaning that there will always be an important need for plumbers in the future. A career as a Melbourne plumber will give you the guarantee that you will never be out of a job, and work will be vast and ongoing.
Home owners, commercial business owners, and even government organisations need the assistance and expertise of a qualified plumber every now and then, a need will never fade. There are so many different issues people face that require the attention of a registered and licensed plumber, and it is up to you how many qualifications you want to hold, and what type of salary you wish to aim for.
If you’ve been considering becoming a plumber in Melbourne, go online and check out pre-apprenticeships at your local TAFE. Your journey into a steady and rewarding career in plumbing is more obtainable than you may have thought.