Apprenticeships – Rebecca Meaden, Gas Engineer and Plumber
I chose an apprenticeship to change career. I wanted a trade and a bit more control over my working life by going self-employed. I have some health issues so it’s important to be able to fit my work around any medical appointments. I also wanted a practical skill that I could do anytime, anywhere in the world.
Changing career wasn’t an easy decision. I’d been working in the care sector doing drug and alcohol support for about 12 years before becoming a tattoo artist for six years, but I wouldn’t change it for the world now!
I’ve recently finished a four year apprenticeship, which involved two years getting my water qualification and two years getting my gas qualification. I’m now self employed as a plumber and gas engineer. In 10 years I’ll still have those skills, I just have to keep my gas-safe registration up to date.
A typical day could include fitting a boiler, planning and installing the pipework and connecting to radiators, sinks, baths – basically anything that involves water and heating! When you complete a task that you’ve started from scratch and it all works it’s really satisfying. I can go into a house where someone has no water or heating and by the time I’ve finished they have both – job done!
Rebecca did her training through On Site Bristol, which specialises in apprenticeships in construction industry. On Site takes care of training, funding and general support and works with a range of local construction employers offering apprenticeships in bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, electrical, painting and decorating, plastering and plumbing.