Both plumbers and electricians are highly sought-after tradespeople that can command excellent salaries. Deciding whether or not to become one is a serious career choice that requires thoughtful consideration and research.
To become a plumber, you will need a high school diploma, training, and an apprenticeship. Typically, the training takes up to four years.
Physical Difficulty
Your work will inevitably take a physical toll on you as a tradesperson. You’ll likely be on your feet for extended periods of time, and you may have to bend, crouch, or crawl to get into tight spaces to do your job. If you’re not in peak physical condition, this can strain your body greatly.
If you’re considering a career in plumbing and electric, it’s important to understand what you’re getting yourself into. Both fields require a certain amount of physical endurance and a commitment to learning the necessary skills. You’ll also need to complete an apprenticeship in either field, which typically takes between four and six years to finish.
Both careers offer great opportunities for those who want to earn a living while doing a hands-on, satisfying job. If you’re interested in becoming a plumber or electrician, you can start in your late teens by enrolling in a vocational school or taking community college courses to learn the basics of your trade. Once you’ve completed your studies, you can apply for an apprenticeship with a plumbing or electrical company in your area.
You can also become a plumber or electrician through direct entry into the industry. You can join as an apprentice directly with a company if you have the right qualifications, such as a GSCE or a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.
Both trades have a high demand for workers, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find employment as soon as you’ve finished your training. In addition, you can find additional training opportunities online if you want to expand your skills and get more experience.
It’s worth mentioning that both electrician and plumbing jobs can be very dangerous, so you should only consider one of these careers if you have the right education and training to do so safely. If you have a high level of skill, you can also advance your career by becoming a master electrician or completing an electrical engineering degree. You can also become a gas fitter by attaining an ACS gas qualification.
Manual Dexterity
A plumber’s work requires excellent manual dexterity in order to manipulate small pieces and ensure that plumbing systems are running smoothly. Likewise, an electrician’s job demands highly refined motor skills as they assemble wires and use drills and other tools on a daily basis.
Both professions also require a high level of attention to detail. This is important in both jobs as it allows you to accurately read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and schematics. In addition, it allows you to troubleshoot problems with circuits and wirings in a safe manner.
In your interview, you may be asked to describe and demonstrate how you developed your manual dexterity skills. This can be a common question in both MMI interviews and traditional panel interviews. Examples of activities that you might discuss include playing a musical instrument, drawing or painting, creating models, sewing or knitting, building computer circuit boards, and DT projects.
Regardless of the interview format, it’s important to remain calm when answering questions about your manual dexterity. Interviewers aren’t expecting a perfect performance, but they want to see how you perform under pressure.
Both careers are highly in demand and can provide lucrative employment opportunities for those who choose to pursue them. However, you should consider what type of environment you enjoy working in, whether you’re comfortable with the job’s physical demands, and how long you want to commit to it. If you’re unsure which career to pursue, consulting with an experienced tradesperson or completing an apprenticeship to gain first-hand experience is worth it. This will help you decide if either career is right for you. You can then complete your course of study and apprenticeship, get licensed, and find a job that will allow you to thrive in your chosen field. Good luck!
Technical Difficulty
Both plumbing and electrical work are challenging in their own way, but they are not necessarily more difficult than one another. The difference is greater in the physical demands on the body. Plumbing can be more strenuous because of the need to bend, kneel, and reach in ways that may cause a strain on muscles. Electricians can also be exposed to risk because of the potential for electrocution.
Both careers require extensive training and education. A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum requirement to start either career. You can then pursue an apprenticeship to learn the trade through on-the-job experience and classroom instruction. Many community colleges and vocational schools offer courses that can prepare you for these careers. You can also find online resources to improve your skills before applying for an apprenticeship.
Once you’ve gained some industry experience, you can choose to become a licensed plumber or electrician. These roles are rewarding and challenging, so it’s important to determine the right fit for you. If you’re interested in pursuing a trade, it’s worth considering all your options to find the best path for your career goals.
If you’re unsure which route to take, consider pursuing a general contractor role. This type of position often requires knowledge of both plumbing and electricity, and you can use your skills to complete a wide range of handyman tasks. Alternatively, you can continue to practice your skills by working as a utility inspector. This job involves assessing the functionality and safety of utility fixtures, so having an extensive knowledge of plumbing and electrical systems is essential. This is a great career option for those who are unsure of which path to pursue, as it offers flexibility and the chance to work in multiple sectors.
Work Environment
Both electricians and plumbers work in a variety of environments. They can find themselves working in commercial or domestic settings, including hospitals, schools, offices, and construction sites. Often, these tradespeople are required to travel between jobs, spend much of their time on ladders or scaffolding, as well as experiencing harsh weather conditions. Both professions can also suffer from callouts at odd hours, which can result in working late or weekend shifts.
A high school diploma or equivalent qualification is a prerequisite for becoming either an electrician or a plumber. Many vocational training colleges and local trade schools offer courses for those looking to learn the skills of these trades. These courses cover topics like physics, geometry, chemistry, and physical science and help students build the foundation of knowledge required to succeed in a vocational apprenticeship.
Both careers require a significant amount of hands-on learning. Both are highly rewarding, and both pay respectable salaries. However, it is important to consider the individual’s ability and ambition before choosing which career to pursue.
Deciding between becoming an electrician or a plumber is not an easy task. It is worth noting that both are rewarding and great ways to gain hands-on skills in a new and challenging environment.
The main factors to consider when deciding whether to become a plumber or an electrician are the level of physical and manual dexterity, as well as the ability to follow technical instructions. It is also important to consider the level of safety risk and the type of environment in which you are comfortable working.
For example, plumbers can find themselves dealing with contaminated waste and the potential danger of electrical shocks when working in water. Electricians can be exposed to similar hazards as well as working at heights when repairing outdoor power lines and wiring. In general, both careers can be considered fairly safe, but certain areas of each job are more dangerous than others. If you are considering pursuing one of these careers, consult with a qualified adviser and a tradesperson to ensure that this is the right decision for you.