One of the few things we value more than our mobile phones is hot running water and gas.

A plumber or, as per the innuendo my friend likes to use, water flow engineer, is a job that will always be in demand. Every homeowner will require this kind of expert at some point to install pipes, hot water and gas; unblock and clean drains; install a new toilet and sink as part of a bathroom makeover; fix a problem related to those features, the list goes on.

These are all jobs that the common person cannot do themselves and quite frankly would not like to do given the messy and gross nature of some jobs, to put it politely.

When your pipes are leaking, drain is blocked, or you’ve had to endure the excruciating experience of a breathless cold shower because you’ve got no hot water, who are you going to call? Not the ghost busters, but a knight in shining overalls armed with steel-toe-capped boots and always happy to receive a free cup of tea – especially when called out to a job out of normal trading hours!

While the job of a plumber Sydney can leave one retching, there are multiple benefits to exploring this career route, not to mention the respectable salary prospects for a plumber in Sydney, currently sitting between $65K and $75k per annum.

Further, job security is a rarity in today’s job market. A plumber in Sydney is one of the few benefitting from this given the essential nature of the service they provide and healthy growth in the industry as the population and by extension number of houses continue to rise.

Skipping college and university to become a plumber in Sydney; for one to do that, they must be dumb, puppeteered by their dad and lacking independent drive. Or so the unattractive stereotypes go. In reality, becoming a plumber in Sydney can be a smart choice. Here’s how you can enjoy the benefits provided by this sector:

 

Apprenticeship vs University

To become a water management engineer, as my friend would say, you must start off as an apprentice, employed by a company while you complete a 4 year nationally accredited course. This will involve on site work and a limited amount of time in a physical classroom, with exams along the way.

For this you’re going to have to get used to waking up early and living on peanuts, but it is an essential part of the process of working your way up the ladder and learning the nuances of the trade.

While this route will take just as long or perhaps longer than university, you will enjoy the benefits of earning while you learn and loudly voicing this fact to your university-going friends who have no income and are spending thousands on tuition and living.

To qualify for an apprenticeship course you must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

 

plumbing industry

 

Choose your employer

With the goal of becoming this kind of tradesman set and the knowledge the best way to do this is via an apprenticeship, you then need to find an employer. To be able to complete the apprenticeship you need to be employed in an apprenticeship arrangement for the entire duration of the course.

Do some research and find a licensed and respected practitioner. Usually the company that you constantly see plastered on the side of vans in your town will do, because they’re probably the biggest and best option and where more opportunities for you to progress will be.

 

Update immunizations

One of the clear drawbacks of this profession is the frequent encounters with raw sewage. As an apprentice at the bottom of the trade food chain, you can expect to get your fair share of this! Therefore, it would be wise to make sure your immunizations are up-to-date to avoid such encounters leaving you feeling more than nauseous and regretting your career choice.

 

Who runs the world, girls

Less than 2 per cent of tradespeople in this profession are female, but this is changing. Female uptake in the industry is increasing, but not at the rate seen by other male-dominated industries.

The issue of gender inequality and treatment in the workplace is a poignant and critical one; more needs to be done to remove barriers to a female becoming a plumber in Sydney. One woman leading this campaign is Kerri McDonell and schemes such as Women NSW have emerged to help fund the training of female professionals.

The benefits for companies hiring a female plumber in Sydney are clear following a survey which found that homeowners view female workers as more reliable.