Watson School in Sonoma County is the oldest one-room schoolhouse, dating back to 1856 when it served Bodega, Freestone, and Valley Ford communities. Closed down in 1967 due to funding cuts, it now stands as a Historic Site.
“Once you learn this trade,” his uncle assured him, he would no longer need to rely on beggars for sustenance. That seemed like an attractive proposition to him.
Become a licensed plumber.
In many states, plumbers must obtain a license to practice the trade. To meet a set of criteria and accept this license, including passing both written and practical exams. Furthermore, local municipalities often impose their own set of rules regarding plumbing professionals – this means it is wise to check what requirements there are in your region before beginning this career path.
The most reliable route for becoming a licensed plumber is completing a formal apprenticeship with either a union or trade organization. This is an ideal option for anyone serious about plumbing who wishes to earn while they learn. There are various UA locals throughout each state offering this training and helping people start in this profession.
One practical approach to becoming a licensed plumber is enrolling in a college program offering an associate of applied science degree in plumbing technology or related areas, like refrigeration. This will equip you with all of the knowledge you need to start your own business or landing employment in this field. SUNY system offers many programs, such as those at its Delhi campus, which provide plumbing and refrigeration AAS degrees, as well as programs at the Canton campus.
Certifications, including National Inspection Testing and Certification, ASSE certifications, or other professional credentials, can increase your worth to employers or potential customers.
Learn the basics of plumbing.
Be it fixing an aging toilet or exploring DIY projects in your home, understanding basic plumbing is crucial to any endeavor. Though its inner workings may seem complex and mysterious, its basic principles are straightforward. There are two primary systems at work in any given household: water supply and drainage. Pressurized water enters through pipes while waste leaves via gravity and air pressure – understanding these systems is vitally important to homeowners, helping avoid more expensive problems later down the line.
Pipes are at the core of every plumbing system. These pipes carry fresh water in and wastewater out. They are made of different materials like copper or galvanized steel pipes; some even use PVC material! Valves also play an integral part in plumbing – they can shut off the water supply in case of a leakage, as well as regulate its flow rate.
Know where your water shutoff valve is so that in case of leakage, quickly shutting it off will stop the flow. In addition, make sure that when working on older pipes that may have become corrupted over time, double-checking their work is always done before switching back on the water supply.
Gain hands-on experience
Watson’s gift to Illinois State demonstrates his deep belief in education’s transformative power. He credits education with helping him move from his small Caribbean island home to New York City, where he now owns a plumbing business and pastors a church. Watson advocates that young men, particularly those of color, should seek out blue-collar trades that offer substantial employment and income potential.
Watson utilized a Presidential Scholarship and three campus jobs to cover tuition expenses while joining a debate team, which provided him with “a wake-up call” that helped him focus on his studies.
The Watson School restoration project provided students with invaluable hands-on experience. Masonry students built an elevator shaft, carpenters refurbished interior trim, and renovated bathrooms, while painters/horticulture students completed much of the painting/landscaping. Furthermore, this was also an opportunity to promote and attract donors to its preservation efforts.
Prepare for a career in plumbing.
Plumbing may be an ideal career option if you enjoy using your hands, solving problems, and following instructions. Depending on where you reside, licensing requirements vary and may include passing either written or practical exams to obtain one of several plumbing licenses available in each jurisdiction, as well as undertaking an apprenticeship or attending plumbing school before beginning to practice as a plumber.
Though having a high school diploma should be enough to secure employment in plumbing, attending vocational or trade school can increase your odds of landing an apprenticeship program. Such schools combine classroom learning with on-the-job experience for an all-encompassing educational experience.
As a plumber, geometry, and algebra should come quickly to you in the field. These mathematical skills allow plumbers to calculate pipe lengths, water pressure, and flow rates, as well as crunch numbers rapidly when faced with urgent jobs or challenging situations.
Plumbing careers don’t require you to incur enormous student debt. Training for plumbing can often be completed without attending college; apprenticeship opportunities may even exist within local businesses or community colleges. Furthermore, some programs even offer online courses to reduce travel expenses and tuition fees.
