Seeking a Career Change

Changing careers and retraining as a mature age student is more common than you might think

What is an ‘Adult’ vs a ‘Junior’ Apprenticeship?

The Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award prescribes different minimum rates of pay, depending on your age at commencement. 

If you are 21 or over at commencement of your apprenticeship, you will commence at a rate of pay approximately $6 per hour more than your junior counterparts. This is similar to the Award also prescribing higher rates of pay for Junior Apprentices who have finished year 12, vs those who have not.

The Fair Work Commission believes that this differential reflects all of those life skills that you have developed in your working career. Of course the reality is that some specialties in plumbing will make their own investment decisions depending on the needs of their business and the value that they place on these life skills.

So for those transitioning careers, experience working with your hands or in construction will help you get an Apprenticeship.

Master Plumbers is here to help bridge the gap

Master Plumbers values the experience Adult Apprentices bring and our Plumbing Apprenticeships Victoria Group Training Scheme hires about half the cohort as Adult Apprentices. To ensure that Adults get the same opportunities as Junior Apprentices, we do not charge different rates for you to our Host Employers, even though the costs to us are substantially different.

But to do so – we ask Adult Apprentices to ‘pay it forward’ – if we take you on and invest in training you, we need you to see your apprenticeship through with us until completion – this way you will pay it forward to future adults we hire.

Life experience, trade experience and good common sense are highly sought after skills. That’s why it’s never too late to become an apprentice. Master Plumbers encourages all adults to consider changing their career to plumbing.

Should I do a pre-Apprenticeship?

This depends on you and the skills you already have. If you do not have a background working in the construction or related industries, or need to develop your hand skills, a Pre-Apprenticeship is the foundation you will need to set yourself apart. Many employers hire directly out of the pre-app programs across Victoria.

You can do a pre-app (Certificate II in Plumbing) at our own training facility or you can enrol in TAFE’s around Victoria. Make sure you thoroughly investigate what is taught in the pre-apps you’re considering – as there are differences in content and method of teaching delivery. Ensure you select the one that is right for you.

Flexible study programs

Special programs are available to help transition adults back into study. If you are eligible for assistance, PAV will make any reasonable alterations to work arrangements, to accommodate your special needs. Eligibility will be discussed and assessed during the course of any application.

Flexible Study Programs, recognition of prior learning and Special Support Services are available to help transition adults back into study. If you are eligible for assistance, PAV will make any reasonable alterations to work arrangements, to accommodate your special needs. Eligibility will be discussed and assessed during the course of any application.

Pre-Apprenticeships

If you’re looking for your first plumbing job or having difficulty finding a labouring job, then a Pre-Apprenticeship might be right for you.  After completing the course, graduates stand get a better chance for employment and often go on to complete an apprenticeship.