Becoming a Plumber: How to Get Started

Plumber checking pipes

As people come to realize the benefits of being a plumber, the industry is slowly growing. Outside of dealing with sewage and dirty pipes, the job is varied and pays well even for the less experienced plumbers. It is also one of the few jobs that will always be in demand. We will take a closer look at how to start a career in plumbing.

Education and Apprenticeships

To become a plumber, you need a combination of education, hands-on training, and certification. Most plumbing programs require a high school diploma or equivalent as a compulsory element. Math courses and chemistry are also greatly beneficial because plumbers need to manage chemicals and determine ratios for use.

Completing a plumbing program is beneficial. Aspiring plumbers can attend a vocational or trade school to earn a certificate or diploma in plumbing. These programs usually cover plumbing theory, blueprint reading, plumbing codes, and safety practices. Another option is to attend community college that offers extensive plumbing courses which can lead up to an associate’s degree.

On-the-job training is possible with an apprenticeship and teaches real-life skills. Apprenticeships can last anywhere from 4 to 5 years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. If you cannot get an apprenticeship, it is still possible to simply work in the field under the supervision of experienced plumbers, meaning that you will learn about the installation, maintenance, and repair of plumbing systems.

Licensure and Licensure Renewal

Most states require plumbers to achieve licensure. Requirements for these licenses can vary depending on the state. Many states require passing an exam, while others may have other requirements such as completing a specific number of work hours or continuing education. Plumbers can also pursue certifications in specialized areas, such as gas fitting, backflow prevention, or medical gas installation, which may require additional training and testing.

Staying informed about the latest regulations and advancements in the field is essential. Plumbing codes and technologies change, so many states require continuing education for license renewal.

Do not Take Shortcuts When It Comes to Safety

When learning plumbing, there are two significant pitfalls, neglecting safety precautions and skipping the fundamentals. Plumbing often involves working with water, electricity, and potentially hazardous materials/chemicals. Failing to prioritize safety can lead to accidents, injuries, or exposure to harmful substances. It is important to understand proper safety protocols and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). You should also make sure that the area is safe before beginning any plumbing tasks.

Develop a solid understanding of basic plumbing principles and techniques. Rushing to learn advanced skills without a solid understanding of the basics (such as pipe fitting, soldering, and the principles of water flow) can lead to poor workmanship and costly mistakes. Taking the time to properly understand the foundational concepts will make more complex tasks easier and more manageable overall.

Specialization Gives You an Edge

Plumbers often choose a specialty to become more competitive in the job market. Specializations include residential, commercial, industrial, gas fitting, drainage and sewer systems, water treatment, and emergency plumbing. Specializing can lead to better job opportunities and sometimes higher pay.

Becoming a plumber is not just a career choice but an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives by providing essential services that ensure health, safety, and comfort in their homes and businesses. With a strong demand for skilled tradespeople, a plumber can enjoy job stability, competitive wages, and the satisfaction that comes from solving complex problems. Through a combination of hands-on training, technical expertise, and a commitment to excellent customer service, aspiring plumbers can forge a rewarding path that offers both professional growth and personal fulfillment. Embarking on this journey not only equips individuals with valuable skills but also enables them to contribute positively to their communities, making plumbing a vital and respected profession.

Are you looking for a skilled trades job? Contact Trade Management today!

Why Team Building is Important 

Many employers do not understand the value of team-building exercises. This is normal, but unfortunately for employers, a weak team can result in weak profits and productivity. When a team works efficiently towards a single goal, the entire company will benefit. If you have been considering holding team-building exercises, the following benefits may be enough to sway your decision.  

Open the Lines of Communication 

Communication between employees is key to any company’s success, and if your employees are struggling to convey their ideas and feelings to each other, you may want to consider a team-building exercise. When employees feel comfortable enough to express their true feelings, they will be more productive and relaxed during working hours. There are numerous exercises designed specifically to improve communication in the workplace.  

Increase Productivity   

If you are a business owner, you are probably aware of the importance of productivity. Luckily for business owners who recognize the importance of team building, teams that work well together tend to be more productive. It can be difficult to get work done in an environment fraught with discomfort and distrust, but when a team gets on the same page, they are more likely to complete tasks in a more timely manner. It is also important to remember there is a strong correlation between productivity and revenue.  

Familiarization With Company Culture 

Let’s be honest – team-building exercises can be fun, and they provide employers with the perfect opportunity to cultivate the company’s culture. Employees who feel comfortable working with each other will be more likely to participate in company events and have a positive view of the company in general. Team-building exercises can help employees learn about your company’s:  

• Overall goals and vision  

• Values and beliefs  

• Operational structure  

• Standards of performance  

When your workers have a firm understanding of the company’s culture, they will be more apt to participate freely. 

Authored by Pat Hudson, VP of Technology and Digital Transformation at Peoplelink Group, the parent company of Trade Management.

Building Positive Team Culture as a Foreman

TradeManagement_August

TradeManagement_AugustYour role as a foreman includes setting the tone for your crew’s interactions. Because you need everyone to work together to stay on target, collaboration is necessary. One of the best ways to encourage teamwork is by creating a positive team culture. Your crew is more likely to perform their best when they feel like part of a united team.

Follow these guidelines to promote a positive team culture as a foreman.

1. Lead by Example

Demonstrate the attitudes and behaviors you would like to see from your crew. Your workers are likely to behave according to what they see you do. This is why you should openly commend your team members for their hard work, kind actions, and meeting or exceeding expectations.

2. Huddle Your Crew

Gather your workers at the start and end of each day. Talk about the day’s work efforts, safety reminders, and other work-related topics. Ask your crew to provide their ideas for completing the day’s tasks. Encourage them to talk about the challenges and shortcomings before they leave for the day. This shows your workers’ contributions are valued and respected.

3. Get To Know Your Team

Find out which work tasks each of your crew members likes and dislikes, how your workers adjust to others, which forms of learning are their favorites, and how they prefer to receive feedback. Use this information to personalize your requests and expectations for each crew member. You should benefit from enhanced relationships, increased motivation among your team, and greater performance.

4. Change up Partnerships

Regularly assigning different crew members to work together enhances teamwork and learning. Your workers get to know each other better and gain new perspectives on how to complete tasks. This encourages everyone to continuously improve their performance.

5. Provide Proper Tools and Equipment

Your crew needs tools and equipment to be in the best working condition to produce the desired results. Purchasing the necessary items and ensuring they are correctly handled and regularly inspected shows you want your workers to succeed and encourages them to respect the tools and equipment.

6. Express Appreciation

Regularly thank your crew members for their hard work. Show how their dedication added to the progress made each week. When a job is completed, point out specific ways each of your workers contributed to the finished product. Reward them with lunch, bonuses, raises, or promotions when appropriate.

Hire Skilled Workers

Add skilled workers to your team with help from Trade Management. Contact us today.

How Can Trade Management Help You Find the Right Skilled Trades Job – Faster?

Trade Management_Finding the Right Job Doesn't Have to Take Forever

Trade Management_Finding the Right Job Doesn't Have to Take Forever

Job search times today are the longest they have been since 2016. This is especially true for the skilled trade industry. If you are having trouble finding a role, reach out to us. We can help!

Discover some reasons why skilled trade jobs are hard to find and how Trade Management can help.

Increasing Job Search Length

The economic instability due to the pandemic caused companies in construction, manufacturing, and other skilled trades to close down. According to a survey conducted by global outplacement and business and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., the workers laid off in 2020 were among the job seekers who averaged 3.05 months to find a new role. This was up from 2.7 months in 2019 and 2.9 months in 2018. The average time it took to find a job last year was the highest since 2016 when job seekers took an average of 3.13 months to find a position.

Job Losses in Construction

According to material handling solutions company Conger Industries Inc., the construction industry lost $60.9 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) and 6.5 million jobs due to the pandemic. Industry revenue was expected to decline by 6.3% in 2020. Approximately one-third of construction companies furloughed or terminated employees because of the pandemic-related shutdowns. In 2021, 28% of construction firms are having trouble hiring project managers and supervisors. Fifty-two percent of companies cannot fill openings for laborers, carpenters, or equipment operators. Fifty-eight percent of building construction firms have unfilled craft positions.

Advantages of Skilled Labor Roles

Skilled labor positions offer excellent pay, benefits, and career paths. You may work on unique projects with innovative equipment and technology such as virtual reality (VR). The satisfaction you gain from completing a project can last a long time. Ongoing training lets you add to your skillset and contributions. If you can cross-train, you help improve your team’s efficiency and productivity. This may provide you with access to even more opportunities for growth and promotion.

Find a Skilled Trade Job

Partner with Trade Management to find your next skilled trade role. Register with us today!

Wondering If You Got the Job? Leverage the Power of a Customized Thank-You Note

Wondering If You Got the Job Leverage the Power of a Customized Thank-You Note

Wondering If You Got the Job Leverage the Power of a Customized Thank-You Note

When you finish a final round of interviews, there is one more step you can take to increase your odds of receiving a job offer: write a thank-you note. Expressing appreciation for the interviewers’ time within 24 hours of your meeting leaves a positive impression. If the competition is narrowed down to you and another candidate, and they do not send a note, you are more likely to be offered the role. This could mean the difference between getting a position you truly enjoy or one that simply pays the bills.

Find out how to craft a thank-you note to increase your odds of landing a job.

Personalize Your Note

Begin your thank-you note with a clear, concise email subject line. For instance, “Thank you for the interview yesterday” or “[Company Name] seems like a great place to work.” Include in your email the interviewer’s proper title and first name. Express genuine gratitude for taking the time to talk with you. Repeat the process for each interviewer whose business card you received during the interview. Alternatively, you can ask the person who set up your interview for everyone’s contact information.

Make Yourself Stand Out

Jog the interviewer’s memory about something you mentioned you offer that no other candidate can. Perhaps you talked about a specific solution, experience, or skill the hiring manager is looking for that you have. Share how your ideas and contributions for prior employers can help you achieve success in the new position. Include additional information not mentioned during the interview that makes you the best-qualified candidate.

Express Interest in the Role

Restate the reasons you are passionate about working for the company. Reasons could include the challenging responsibilities, available training programs, or opportunities to advance. Encourage the interviewer to contact you if they have additional questions. Include your full name, email address, and phone number for easy follow–up.

Ask About the Next Steps

Find out when the interviewer plans to make a hiring decision. Use this as a guideline as you pursue other opportunities. If you end up not receiving a job offer, continue to move forward with your search.

Get Help With Your Job Search

Trade Management can help you find your next job. Visit our job board today.

Tech Talk: How Drones Are Changing Construction Sites Worldwide

Tech Talk: How Drones Are Changing Construction Sites Worldwide

The popularity of drones continues to rise with more people purchasing and operating them both for personal and professional reasons. One professional field to see the value of drones is the construction industry. Here are four ways drones are changing construction sites worldwide.

Improved efficiency and communication

Drones have the ability to easily access different areas of a worksite without needing a human to accompany them. This means you can navigate the equipment wherever your team is working. By mounting a camera to the drone, you can keep tabs on what’s happening. Because of this ability to collect data in the moment from the construction site, managers are noticing an increase in efficiency. Workflow can be monitored all day, every day. In addition to promoting increased efficiency, workflow monitoring captures accurate data for use in updating investors and evaluating progress against timelines.

Land surveys

Drones can survey potential sites more quickly and cost effectively than people. The resulting data is more abundant and less subject to error than land surveys conducted by humans.

Safer transportation

Drones can do more than just provide a view of the construction site; they can provide practical assistance by transporting materials around the worksite quickly and safely.

Faster inspections

When you need to investigate part of a project, a drone can get there faster and provide better, more accurate data. While they won’t necessarily replace the benefit of experts examining the issue, drones can provide a first look to start the troubleshooting process.

Find the construction talent you need

Trade Management consistently provides the top industrial talent for companies like yours. Our growth is evidence of our success, and we just keep advancing. Contact us today to begin a powerful partnership.

Sick of Minimum Wage? Explore Learning a Trade

Graduating high school leads you to a forked road with several options, including a traditional, four-year degree, learning a trade, or trying to find work based on your current level of education. You know college isn’t the right choice for you and you don’t know very much about the process of learning a trade, so you opt for work that meets you at your current skill or educational level.

If this is you and you’re dissatisfied with your minimum-wage-level position, we have information for you about the benefits of exploring a new trade.

 

Get an education in less time for less money

While a four-year college can cost you more than $100,000, learning a trade costs less than a third and in as little as half the time. You’ll develop new, valuable skills without spending more time and money. Graduate sooner with the hands-on experience necessary to succeed!

 

Work opportunities available

One of the biggest challenges facing traditional graduates is finding a job. With more people opting to attend college, tradespeople are in short supply. In fact, more are retiring from the workforce than joining, meaning there are many open positions.

With a trade degree, you can expect to find a position quickly. In fact, 40% of projected job growth in the United States will fall to middle-skill jobs, or tradespeople.

 

Be compensated well

One of the biggest arguments for college is that it guarantees your later success, meaning you can pay for the expense of attending. While it’s true that the pay ceiling is higher for those with four-year degrees, the average tradesperson makes more than the average college graduate.

When you enter a trade program, you’re advancing your education and helping to fill gaps in the workplace with your knowledge and expertise. Not only will you likely experience financial success, you’ll feel good about the work that you do.

 

Get placed today

If you’ve spent your career working a trade or are a recent graduate from a trade program, trust Trade Management to help you get placed today. We have offices around the DFW area to help match you with the right opportunity. Register today and begin your career!