Tips to finding an Apprenticeship with a Plumbing, Gasfitting, Drainlaying or Roofing employer.

Secondary School Achievements

• The Plumbing, Gasfitting, Drainlaying, Roofing Industry Training Organisation (ITO) recommends NCEA Level 1 (for people under 20) as the minimum achievement for a career in plumbing and gasfitting. Preferred subjects are English, Mathematics, General Science, Metal & Woodwork, Graphics and Engineering Workshop. A minimum requirement is not stated for Drainlaying or Roofing but the above subjects are also very useful.
• Hosts have diverse views; some Plumbing and Gasfitting employers prefer NCEA Level 2 or 3 achievement while others may choose an apprentice with little academic achievement from school but possessing other attributes that impress the employer (eg enthusiasm, punctuality, practical ability etc).
• Some hosts look closely at your school record for clues about your attitude and signs of misconduct. Employers are realistic; they know a person will not suddenly change their school attitude or behaviour when they get to the workplace.
• In general, you increase your chances of an apprenticeship in our industry by doing the very best you can at school.

Work Experience While At School

• Asks your careers, technical or gateway teacher to arrange work experience for you with a local employer. In some schools, you may have to ring around to find one. The Plumbing ITO has an introductory skills programme for Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying some of which is available for Gateway students. Health and safety and first aid units are also useful. Your careers and gateway teacher can help arrange these.
• This is a chance to see what actually happens on a work site. You might really enjoy it or realise this is not the career for you.
• Ask your local plumber if you can come and help out after school or on a Saturday morning.

Preparation

• Prepare a brief and honest CV on a computer for easy updates. Spell check it. Include 2 – 4 referees (name, title, company name, land line phone and mobile).
• Check out how the apprenticeship training operates on: www.ito.co.nz
• Check out how Masterlink operates on: www.masterlink.co.nz
• Think about the questions on the attached sheet and any other points you think are important. Form clear, honest and positive answers in your mind. Be prepared and don’t let yourself down when talking to a prospective employer.
• Complete first-aid and work site safety courses.
• Get your drivers licence. Keep it clean, ie no convictions, as hosts want you able to drive and it is hard to insure a work vehicle for drivers who infringe. A defensive driving course would also be useful.
• It’s a physical job so you need to be reasonably fit. Do tell the host interviewing you of any health issues.
• Look at www.careers.govt.nz. Go to Get Job Info for information about Plumbing, Gasfitting, Drainlaying or Roofing.

Be Practical

• Use tools. Fix things. Problem solve. Help out around your home. Get as much practical experience as you can and learn from your successes as well as your mistakes. If you have grown up in a practical home, you have an advantage with a potential employer.
• A practical career requires you to use your intelligence to actually produce something (build, fix, install etc), to a high standard. Employers favour people who can back up their words by practical action and quick learning.
• Don’t think this means you have to be an expert in tool use. Hosts will train you. A basic grounding in tool use is, however, very useful.

Contact Hosts Direct

• You must be 100% certain that this is the career for you. Finding an apprenticeship in our trades can be difficult as it is very competitive and employers only want people who are truly committed.
• Ask family and friends if they know of a prospective employer. Try to get introduced this way. Who usually does the the plumbing or roofing work on your house or your school – talk to them about apprenticeships.
• Yellow pages of the phone book. Choose hosts in your area. The hosts with the biggest adverts are likely to have more employees and a need for a trainee. Ring employers and ask them if they are taking on trainees. Explain why you are looking and why you would be a success.
• Visit employers direct. Drop off your CV and ask to speak to them or write a brief letter (1/2 – 1 page) to them first, enclosing your CV, and follow up with a visit or phone call about a week later.
• Offer to do odd jobs for them to prove your ability and good attitude.
• Present yourself well when meeting an employer. They will look closely at your appearance for positive signs about your organisational skills and character (or negative ones!). Obviously turn up on time.
• Persistence pays off. Most hosts are very busy and you may have to try more than once to contact them. Don’t give up!

Professional Trainers

• Masterlink was established by Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ Inc to increase the number of young people entering and completing formal training in the industry, and to involve a wider number of Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying businesses in the on-job training process.

Check for Vacancies

• Most job advertisements in the newspaper are for experienced tradesmen but check the job vacancies regularly as apprenticeships do come up. Employment / Career features are usually twice weekly in major daily newspapers.
• www.seek.co.nz – advertises job vacancies on-line. Look under Trades / Services- Plumbers – apprentices / apprenticeships. www.trademe.co.nz and www.jobs.search4.co.nz are other good websites to try.
• Ask your teacher (technical, careers, gateway) if they know of an host seeking a trainee. Check the school noticeboard.

Free Advertising

• Write a small advert about you seeking an apprenticeship and ask at your local Plumbing World, Mastertrade, Mico or others if you can put it on their noticeboard. Their staff may also know of employers seeking trainees.
   

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