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Case studies

Finding a Work placement – Plumbing

Added: 19 December 2007. Last updated: 8 May 2008.

Susan Robinson – Plumber

- How did you get into your trade?

I did a basic 6-month course at CRS, and really liked it, and they helped me to apply at college. I’ve just finished my first year.

I’d always been interested in plumbing, but cos I’ve got the kids – I was working, and getting a monthly wage, and I thought “I can’t really give this up.” But then I got made redundant, so the decision was sort of made for me. I thought “There’s no excuse now! So then I went on to CRS, and I really loved it.

- How did you hear about the Work Placement Project Building Work for Women (BWW) at WAMT?

I came to one of WAMT’s Trade Fairs – that’s where I heard about CRS as well. I literally filled in forms everywhere! Then I got a call from WAMT, and took it from there.

- How did you find the pre-placement training?

Really interesting actually. A lot of the stuff I’d already done, like I said I’d already done a six month course, so things like Health and Safety, the CSCS test, I’d already done that. But I came back for the session on Interview Techniques, and CVs, and I really found that helpful, cos that was my weakest point – not so much face-to-face interviews, but filling in the application forms, I was so terrible! Trying to break down your life into a little section! – I would write novels!

- What placement have you gone on to?

I’m doing 13 weeks at the St George Wharf, which is going really well. I’m really enjoying it – I’ve learned so much. Within the first week I felt like I’d learned more on site that in a whole year at college. What they tell me now at college, I’ve got a picture – I can fit it together and I understand it more.

And it’s taken away the fear! Before, I was so frightened of making a mistake. Like when we were testing, we were doing the pipes and everything, and I was so conscious, I wanted to make sure everything was glued properly, and there was no leaks. And the boys were like “There’s always leaks! That’s why we do the air testing“. And sometimes we spent half the morning running up and down looking for leaks, tearing our hair out – but you get days like that. A lot of plumbing is just patience, and investigation – and I love that. I actually want to get into maintenance, cos I love finding out where the problem is. I was loving running out testing this and poking that!

I’m really lucky that I’m working on a new-build. Luxury apartments, overlooking the river – they’re really lovely. The views are stunning. And apparently Robbie Williams has put a deposit on one that I’m working on!

- What tools did you get from the project?

Quite a lot. But I had a lot of my tools already, from CRS. I just got some files, PTE, pipe benders.

What’s a typical day on placement?

Well a typical week, I would say, is doing the plastics, and air-testing. It sounds not a lot, but it takes a lot of time. It can take a morning to do one flat. And there’s a lot of waiting around as well – the stuff’s there but people have to go all the way down to the basement to get it.

- So what are your long-term plans?

Eventually I’d like to be self-employed, definitely. My ultimate goal is to have my own company, a maintenance company. But initially I would like to work with someone, for about a year, just to build my confidence up. If I could get in with a company, a local council or something, just to get used to the sort of jobs that you do when you go into people’s houses. And then use that experience to go out on my own. Ideally, I’d like to work in a partnership – hopefully with someone I’ve met along the way. Cos I know that, hands on, I’m going to be a really good plumber, and I can go in there and do it. Paperwork, though, I’m just the world’s worst!

- Who would you recommend this programme to?

There’s a girl at college – funnily enough I was chatting to her today and I keep saying to her, ‘Get in touch with WAMT’. And I’ve taken all the leaflets in for her. She says I haven’t got childcare’, and I said “Stop using that as an excuse, because you’re holding yourself back“. There are ways around this. I have found, with WAMT, that when it seems impossible, I still go for it, because they’re like a back-up. If it fails, you know, at least I’ve got WAMT behind me saying “Well, you know, maybe we can try this” – it’s not a complete loss. So while they’re there, I was telling her, use it. It’s like a security blanket, it gives you the confidence to try it, at least.