ps my m8 is corgi registered but since landing this Dolphin deal he hasn'r done a single gas job, and notification and all that has come in while he's been away. Corgi keep pestering him and he keeps telling them put it where the monkey puts his nuts.
went for an update recently at a test centre and asked them is this a busy year for you? 1 in 5 years is very busy. They said it should be but hardly anyone is re registering....
Government have shot 'emselves in foot good and proper overregulating us to the hilt all in one fail swoop.
Another plumber m8 is looking into being an international courier that is said to pay good.
I was considering training to be a home inspector but bottled out.
I might take my part P training further to 16th ed. then go on to do inspection and testing, so I can set myself up as a close inspector of water gas and electric once the HIP comes into force. You know the home inspector ticks a box to say more information needed about such and such, I'm the expert who goes to properly inspect and test.
On a positive note regarding going into gas and water trade, I have noticed in this area a definate amount of new work attributable to people believing it is now important to get properly trained person to do the work, many times because a solicitor has asked for it already.
Secondly with people leaving the profession in droves and all these combis they fitted before they shot out of the door, I'll be kept going in repairs and refits for many years ahead.
Would I go into it new now? NO, I would try and get on with one of the manufacturers to be trained up and get a paid job as a service engineer like gazthepottyengineer. Or be an independant like our local Ariston repair man, he just puts his phone on 1/2 hour in morning and same late afternoon and he's inundated with work. Last ariston night out one of the other big firms bosses, a main competitor of mine was sidling up to the ariston rep to join this guy as one of their people. I expect he'll drop it now though cause two of his best men have left to start on their own. Say what you like about aristons, they are a dream repair job, guaranteed work!