Apprenticeships offer school leavers skills for life

School leavers have a great opportunity to learn ‘skills for life’ through apprenticeships, says a Scottish plumbing and heating director.

Michael Cains, of Edinburgh-based Celsius Plumbing and Heating, has teamed up with WaterSafe, the national register of approved plumbers, to encourage young people to consider a career in the trades, as many look forward to receiving exam results next week (6 August).

Michael says:

“Knowing a trade is having a skill for life.

“I find it rewarding to pass on the same opportunities I’ve been given to help the next generation and help plug the skills shortage. Some of our past apprentices have since started businesses and employed apprentices of their own.

“Being an apprentice is all about being put out of your comfort zone, slowly but surely. As well as helping our engineers with basic tasks, we give our apprentices opportunities to practise their skills on the job and give them a variety of experiences and responsibilities.”

Julie Spinks, Director of WaterSafe, says:

“Plumbers are in high demand across the UK, and this is only likely to worsen unless more young people take up the trade.

“Plumbing and heating engineers carry out a variety of tasks, from fixing leaking taps and toilets to advising customers on emerging technology such as heat pumps.

“It can be a rewarding career choice that brings lots of variety and a steady income, so I’d encourage any young person who enjoys practical hands-on tasks to think about becoming a plumber.”

Michael’s top tips for aspiring plumbers

• Make sure your CV is up to date, clearly presented and showcases your skills

• Work towards gaining your driving licence

• Have a positive can-do attitude

• Create an account on LinkedIn and connect with people in the industry (including WaterSafe)

• Apply for a pre-apprenticeship course at your local college - it’s a great way to get started in the industry

• Get in touch with local companies to enquire about apprenticeship opportunities

• Remember, it’s normal to apply for lots of jobs before getting your big break, so don’t be deterred.

To find out more about working for Celsius Plumbing, visit https://celsiusplumbers.com/ or visit our website to find out more about the WaterSafe approval scheme and read FAQs on how to become a plumber.