THE BEST Plumbing Apprenticeship Tips

[@spoobini]

I love you man. I put you up there with Mike Rowe. As John W. Gardener once said, "A society that values philosophers over plumbers will soon find that neither their philosophies, nor their pipes, will hold any water."

[@RogerWakefield]

Gardner would be absolutely correct. Thank you for such a wonderful comment!

[@jamwheeler]

best advise i ever got as an apprentice from a plumber was to try to know what the plumber was going to want next before he asked for it. not only is it very helpful for the plumber so they'll like you better but it also teaches you to think about what the next step is instead of just mindlessly doing what you're told.

[@luciusmagn]

I am not in the US, nor will I ever be a plumber, I reckon, but you are still a really great person to listen to!

[@RogerWakefield]

I love that!!!

[@gs5480]

Good tip for apprentices: learn the basics to a high level, in time you can pick and choose how you can getaway with shortcuts and what jobs you can getaway with doing half-assed.

[@ThatGuyFromNantucket06]

When I give our helpers something to do, I tell them I don't care the amount of time it takes you to do something. Do it correctly. Speed will come with repetition. Don't rush.

[@TheDeafMechanic]

I agree wholeheartedly about being with the right person makes the difference. I was an HVAC Apprentice and worked for a local school system. The gentleman I worked under had some very unsafe work habits and unfortunately did not like me. I worked under him for about 1.5 years and never quit until my position was terminated because he no longer wished to do it. I’m currently in my last semester of school and will be starting with a local company to get my foot in the door and learn from hopefully someone better. What I learned from him was that one day if I’m ever in his position I will be better. I’ll be the best Master I can be. God didn’t give me everyday to rain hell down but to make the world better.

[@mattmcdonough6831]

I agree with you on what you're saying. 👍. I personally went through a Apprenticeship. The best thing I can say. Need more hands on towards code relationships to jobs. Because some jobs don't give that training. Or the work that you're doing is different than what you are learning. All in all great way to learn and always question more.

[@RogerWakefield]

What do y'all think about my full head of hair that I had back in the day?

[@1witt]

You are Looking beautiful

[@zaxarispetixos8728]

Mister steal your girl 1969.

[@jonk3529]

Classic Young Gun! Looking good!

[@julieJones828]

@@1witt He has always been beautiful inside and out. (Of course I'm partial.)

[@julieJones828]

@@zaxarispetixos8728 Yep!

[@Louisg294]

Im on my second day of plumbing. I’m a helper/assistant. I’ve been doing septic and riding in the van with some of the techs and going on service calls. It’s been pretty rewarding thus far. Especially on the knowledge side.

[@rawkingkong]

You still at it?

[@ericbrown8545]

Hi there Rodger, Eric Again... Apprentice plumber Just came from a company that offered NCCER training... Something to look into for anyone working in the trade field! Three years in and was learning something new every week

[@anythingbutmyrealname]

my names eric too

[@Ehrenization]

Another super helpful video as always! Thank you Roger!

[@Nanogrip]

Really enjoying your videos! Greetings from the tiny Pacific islands of Palau!

[@jak2828]

Huge fan of your channel! I recently started my own company and it’s turning out to be quite the daunting task. Even though I have 16 years of experience I still worry that I don’t know enough. Any tips you can give someone just getting started on their own?

[@dalandamcgee8752]

Thank you! This is so informative. I have a nephew that is considering a career change and this is great for him to consider this choice. I have texted him your tube contact. I have never seen this type of information on site and was great. Again thank you.

[@sms1655]

messure twice cut once do the things you do the first time the right way and you dont need to do the stuff a second time helped me in any job

[@jessejames1401]

can u do a video based on code enforcement ? such as who can pull permits to enforce these codes which codes only the authority having Jurasdiction can enforce and codes only master plumbers can enforce ?

[@ernestwalden3894]

I know a guy that's been plumbing for 30 yrs and still doesn't have his license. But he said he likes being the helper LOL

[@ryanmaher4025]

Hey Roger! I love you videos! I have a question about this topic. Ihave been working with a Kinetico Water treatment company for 7 years now in Michigan. This past year we hired a master plumber and now offer plumbing. I applied for my apprentice card and would like to start training to become a plumber. Is there any training I can do as an employee to get the proper schooling?

[@elevatedboost7444]

Love the videos !

[@benfrantz5822]

Hey my name Benjamin and I've been trying to get in to a union now for about 5 years. But I haven't been able to get in. I've worked with the union as a contracted head. But with all my references and sponsors I still can't get in. I've tried pipefitter, boiler, makers, and even the labers union but to no success. I was wondering if you could give me some advice or anything I can do to help my situation. Ps great video keep up the good work and hope you get better soon.

[@cliffperrino3015]

Excellent! a true asset to the field

[@Logan-yb2bf]

Hey Roger I have a few Questions do you use a mask or a fume hood when soldering pipes? and if not why and is it safe?

[@avogadro4928]

So is a helper the non-union equivalent of an apprentice? Can you become a journeyman as a helper?

[@SonOvaSon]

No but when you switch you go in as a higher year apprentice instead of starting from the beginning

[@avogadro4928]

@@SonOvaSon Is it not possible to become a journeyman non union then?

[@fixerupperer]

@@avogadro4928 different states have different rules and licensing requirements. Someone correct me if im wrong but for example in California a non-union journeyman doesnt exist. To get your plumbing contractors license you need to get someone to vouch for your time/experience and pass a test. Its really more about legal liability than skill. In Wisconsin there are required non-union programs that parallel the education and skill requirements found in the union with formal apprenticeships with both.

[@stewartcross9549]

I came up open shop did my 4 year PHCC apprenticeship still had no clue what I wanted I hated being on jobs for a year + and hates doing house plumbing... I ended up doing small commercial jobs under 1m 2 or 3 months I’m out.

[@ianstahl7129]

This might be different where you are but here in wisconsin I'm a licensed apprentice at a local open shop, getting formal education/training. The union is not the only way to be an apprentice..

[@fixerupperer]

Wisconsin has some of the strictest training and licensing requirements

[@ondrastepnic]

There are only 4 plumbers I like: -Roger Wakefield -my friend Ryan -Mario -Luigi.

[@Vladimir_thegr8]

I just started following you brother. I’m from Jersey trying to find the best spot to become an apprentice. Any suggestions? I’m willing to move as well.

[@aaronpitts5127]

The only thing the union I was in ever did was collect dues to benefit a select few top execs. No insurance. No job defense. No pension. Lots of rules. Possibly just the union I was part of (required). It wasn't plumbing or some other technical group but still. Bad taste in my mouth.

[@austinbull]

Roger, if I get into an open-shop helper position, would I still have to take classes? Or is that only for union apprentices?

[@kingsquirrel1703]

Thanks again roger for the great video

[@RogerWakefield]

Thanks for the support!

[@jeffferrett2237]

Is it true you can’t start out as commercial ? How long would I have to do residential to get into commercial?

[@a_rabid_raccoon]

yayyyy! great video!

[@RogerWakefield]

Thank you!

[@PandaXMC]

I love these videossssss

[@RogerWakefield]

Happy to hear that. Thanks for the feedback!

[@hhsaoutdoors6274]

Good morning Roger

[@snowycat1099]

yeah good morning

[@KelvinsurajRepairs]

No it is night in here aka India

[@KelvinsurajRepairs]

So Goodnight Roger

[@RogerWakefield]

Good morning!

[@jonk3529]

Glad to be here

[@RogerWakefield]

Glad to have you here.

[@jonk3529]

Thank you for being down to earth and providing applicable material to watch.

[@leeblackburn6963]

Phcc is how I learned to be a plumber and I wouldn’t trade it for the world

[@Babssmma]

I finally got a plumbing job and started Monday I’m 18 so I hope I can be a master by 25 right now everything is confusing

[@letitallout_]

Just got accepted starting my 1st year apprenticeship

[@RogerWakefield]

Congrats!

[@sheldonpinoy2212]

Hello Rodger

[@NOOBNOOB007]

Can you tell me why a American standard cooling and furnace, the cold air works the blower works perfect, I cleaned the flame sensor put it back on, It starts to heat up its a ignition not a pilot and you can see it turn red in the 3/4 barrels and then it stops... do you know anything about this I've given up my neighbor ripped me off Its the one with the 2 doors that are hunter green where you lift the top to remove then the bottom and there is a switch on the bottom door that shuts it all off when u take the door off... thanks either way

[@fixerupperer]

Wrong place to ask. There are probably furnace and hvac pro videos on youtube. Theres also online forums with good info and where you can try asking. My first suggestion is hire a real hvac company with good reviews. Most furnaces have error code led's(blinking lights) that help with diagnosis

[@fixerupperer]

Its most likely related to the inducer blower or pressure switch. Could be faulty gas valve too. Or a blocked flue.

[@NOOBNOOB007]

@@fixerupperer you know what it was. The soft lock out light switch was hidden where you could never see it, so I was assuming the switch was the door panel switch when you remove it with the red light that shuts off the furnace not the electricity. So I was hitting the hard lock out out side but not the soft light switch in the furnace I feel like a dipshit man. I'm lucky I didn't ride the lightning 10,000 volts because I thought that door panel switch was the soft lockout. Even so there could be current. Now I know thanks to a neighbor who is a hvac professional

[@NOOBNOOB007]

@@fixerupperer also you were right the person who replaced a pipe in our furnace 7 years ago left the cover off the flu just like you said. There was insulation and dust all over the electronics from a gaping hole in the attic above the furnace. Our attic has been air conditioned and i just found out i had to clean up, and they left a plug off the fan..

[@ps4legitps4legit38]

Hi

[@joeycamacho7482]

I was in the union 1995 to 1999. I didn't get my journeyman I'm 46 years old do you think its to later to go back to school and learn more about plumbing?

[@jeffferrett2237]

Did they end up letting you back in?

[@msquitad8147]

At what age can you be a helper or an apprentice?

[@fixerupperer]

In the u.s. probably 18 for liability reasons. Some people started being on jobs with their parents or family at about 8

[@christopherhallert4385]

Invest in yourself! Great video👍

[@zaxarispetixos8728]

What happened to that hair? Torch accident?

[@RogerWakefield]

hey now!

[@julieJones828]

Hahahaha...that's funny.

[@joshvlogs7858]

Hey roger!!

[@RogerWakefield]

Hey there!

[@BrokuFilmz]

Early gang

[@DukeEllision329]

My Cheeks Are long and saggy so when I fart my cheeks clap

[@jo6520]

I dont want to be a plumber

[@spoderman2886]

BUUUUT

[@NickErrrr]

I’m just trying to get in the door why is it so damn hard? Lol

[@RogerWakefield]

What have you tried so far?