Vacancies available
We are working closely with a national recruitment agency for the trades, who provide us with access to a number of employment opportunities.

We currently have jobs available for self-employed plumbers to work on a full-time basis in London. Those who are interested should ideally have some onsite work experience within the plumbing sector, be confident in carrying out reactive maintenance jobs (fault-finding and replacing toilets, taps, bathtubs, etc.), be able to work alone, and have their own toolkit and van.

This is a great opportunity for learners who would like to build a career as a plumber.

If you are interested in the role and meet the requirements above, please email your CV to Rekha Odedra, our Employment Engagement Officer, at rekha@olci.info.

Our next vacancy may suit you
At any time, our industry contacts could ask us to help with their recruitment needs. If you would like to be considered for future vacancies that become available, please send your CV to rekha@olci.info.

Support for self-employed people
We also support those people who have set up their own plumbing, gas or electrical business.

Assistance is available if your business requires temporary or permanent tradespeople for paid work. We could also help if you are able to accommodate people looking for work experience. Those interested should contact Rekha on 020 7430 8428 or email rekha@olci.info.

* Available on selected courses, including ‘Become a Qualified Plumber’, ‘Become a Qualified Plumber – Advanced’, ‘Become a Gas Engineer’, ‘Become a Fully Qualified Electrician’, ‘Become a Domestic Electrical Installer’ and ‘Become a Green Engineer’..

Former OLCI student Steven Flower decided he wanted his own business. Now, just 18 months after he passed his Become a Qualified Plumber assessments, he is running his own plumbing business S.A.F. Plumbing & Heating, with bookings several months in advance.

Starting and growing a business
“I found the training from OLCI invaluable. They gave me the skills to develop my career and helped me get the qualifications I needed. Looking back, receiving the knowledge to do different jobs was very important” said Steven.

Steven also shared some important advice on how he’s managed to grow his business. “I work hard to keep customers happy” he said. “I show up when I say I’m going to, I keep to my quote, I charge reasonable rates and I only accept payment when a customer is happy. By being trustworthy, one job often leads to several more jobs and a flourishing business.”

In building his team, Steven looks for people who have a can-do attitude and are multi-skilled, often being able to do plumbing work as well as tiling, plastering or renewable work.

Would you like your own business?
Students can benefit from OLCI’s Business Support Service¹ where you can learn more about how you can set-up and develop your own trade business. Alternatively, students wanting to work for a company can use our Job Support Service1 where we can help you with CV’s and covering letters, and we’ll aim to match you to vacancies from our industry contacts. For either service, please call Student Services on 020 7430 8447.

¹ Available on selected courses, including ‘Become a Qualified Plumber’, ‘ Become a Qualified Plumber – Advanced’, ‘Become a Gas Engineer’, ‘Become a Fully Qualified Electrician’ and ‘Become a Domestic Electrical Installer’.

In this issue Paul, an electrical tutor at our Leeds centre, shares some valuable advice for practical assessments and working on site.

Name: Paul Dexter
Centre: Leeds
Years in the industry: 34

What did you do prior to becoming an electrical tutor?
I initially completed an indentured electrical craft / technician’s apprenticeship in the mining industry. This involved working on special installations in both preventative planned maintenance and proactive maintenance.

What do you like most about being an electrical tutor?
I want to pass on my knowledge and experience so the student’s confidence grows. I also want to help maintain industry standards in the practical sessions, and motivate and empower students to self-assess through open discussions and technical referencing.

What tips can you give for how best to prepare for practical assessments?
Read your task notes, before arriving for the practical assessments. Focus on the set tasks. Be aware that there’s a natural progression to ensure the installation is installed correctly. Finally, ask questions if you’re unsure of anything.

What’s your best practical tip for electricians working on-site?
Plan your work well, and know where you are in the job schedule and what’s expected of you. Communication is important too, either with the customer, other trades or the site manager.

What’s the best thing about being an electrician?
As an electrician I was fortunate enough to travel across the country so I’ve got to see and work at some very interesting places that I wouldn’t have visited.

Do you have any interesting experiences from working as an electrician that you’d like to share?
I was once asked to rewire a domestic installation. After working well on Saturday, I had only the kitchen left to do. On Sunday, I was about to start but the tenant insisted on cooking a full roast dinner. What made it more remarkable was the kitchen fitters had now removed the old kitchen units. So in the end the only things in the kitchen were me, two kitchen fitters, the cooker with veg boiling away and roast beef in the oven, and the customer waiting for his Sunday dinner!

EAL Domestic Electrical Installer incl. Part P Certificate
Students who successfully complete this course package will be awarded the EAL Level 2 Certificate for Domestic Electrical Installers (including Part P) qualification.

Benefits of taking this course
It’s for those in the allied trades who want to carry out domestic electrical work*, be certified as a ‘competent domestic installer’ and be registered with the Applicable Building Regulations (Part P) Competent Persons Scheme. You’ll be able to issue an Electrical Installation Certificate that complies with Building Regulations Requirements.

* But you will not be considered an electrician.

How it works
The course consists of all the theory modules which you can study at home, followed by 5 days of practical training and assessments. You’ll be sent all the theory units when you enrol. Prior to starting you may need to attend our 3-day ‘Basic Electrical Workshop’.

More information
Please call Student Services on 020 7430 8447.

Plumbing and Gas discounts
If you’re an OLCI plumbing or gas student  then you can claim a discount card at PTS, one of the UK’s largest plumbing and heating suppliers. If you haven’t got a discount card already then please call OLCI Student Services on 020 7430 8447. To find your nearest branch, please call PTS on 01455 551210.   

Electrical discounts
Students on our main electrical courses can receive a Trade Card which entitles them to a discount off items in the Senate Buyer’s Guide including cables and wiring, lighting, heating, and tools. To get your Trade Card, please contact OLCI Student Services on 020 7430 8447. To find your nearest Senate branch, please visit www.rexelsenate.co.uk

Free Solar Thermal course
With Ecotube you can get our Solar Thermal course for free*. Complete the form at www.ecotube-kit.com. They’ll then send you discount vouchers for Ecotube installation kits, worth the cost of the course which you redeem over your first 5 installations.

* Vouchers are valid for one year. Other terms and conditions apply. Please see ecotube-kit.com/register_terms.php for details.  

The PFA support professional footballers from all levels. Their advice can help players make a smooth transition into a new job when their playing careers end.

To help footballers prepare for their futures, we’ve created a trade skills programme. Here current and former players can gain useful practical skills in the trades. As with all our other students, footballers can also benefit from our flexible training which allows them to fit the programme around their other commitments.

Become a follower of OLCI on Facebook and you can get access to special offers, course updates, competitions and news.

During March and April we’re hoping to share with our followers some useful ways for tradespeople to make money, and give out some practical tips on starting a business or finding a job.

Simply log into your Facebook account, search for ‘OLCI Construction Training’ and click ‘Like’.

Centre: Livingston

Years with OLCI: 3

What did you do prior to becoming a plumbing and gas tutor?

When I left school in 1978 I started working in the family plumbing business and continued working there up until about 4 years ago.

What practical tips do you have for a plumber or gas engineer working on-site?

My advice is when you finish a job, always stand back and ask yourself if you’d accept it in your own home.  I’d also recommend carrying and using your own dust sheets and vacuum cleaner because it can create a good impression with the customer.

What do you like most about being a plumbing and gas tutor?

Because the course is predominately practical-based I like being able to pass on to students the knowledge and experience that I have gained over the last 30 years.

Do you have any particular tips on how to pass the practical assessments?

Gain as much information as possible during your workshops, listen to your tutor carefully, and take notes and refer to them during your practical assessment.

What’s the best thing about being a plumber and gas engineer?

I think the best thing is the variety of work that you can carry out.  You have the opportunity to expand your skills and work on new things such as renewable energy which includes solar, heat pumps, rainwater, etc. Or unvented domestic hot water which you now have to be licensed to work on.

Do you have any funny stories or experiences from working as a plumber and gas engineer that you’d like to share?

This is a true story about an apprentice I knew who, after working outside cutting a hole for a boiler flue, came back into the customer’s house through the dining room, leaving muddy footprints as he walked.  He then picked up one of the customers good dining chairs and took it into the kitchen where he used it as a stepping stool.  When the customer asked him if he’d like a newspaper to go under his feet, he duly replied “no it’s alright, I can reach from here!”

As some of you may know, in 2010 the construction training provider Access 2 Trade Careers went into administration. Fortunately we stepped in and allowed the students who’d enrolled using Barclays Finance to continue their training with us.

These people are now OLCI students just as much as everyone else who enrols – all enjoying the same great benefits: the opportunity to train in one of our nationwide centres, the theory training that fits around your job and family commitments and the support of experienced and professional tutors.

Over the past few months, more than 1,300 former Access 2 Trade Careers students have been training hard at OLCI and are now getting qualified in their particular trades.

One former student of Access 2 Trade Careers who actually completed his training with OLCI is James Taylor. He tells us of his experiences:

“I started my electrical training with Access 2 Trades. I saw one of their adverts on the Internet and enrolled. Unfortunately it went badly and their training centre was so far away that I’d have to spend more money on overnight accommodation and travelling. After Access 2 Trades went bust I transferred to OLCI.”

“OLCI handled my transition very smoothly. The OLCI training was brilliant and the instructor, Pete, was amazing. The training centre was closer too – less than an hour away from my home. Whenever I phoned OLCI staff they were helpful and organised. Having trained with both Access 2 Trades and OLCI, I’d certainly recommend OLCI to everyone.”

For more information on OLCI Construction Training and our courses please call our Careers Advisors on Freephone 0800 058 2848.