Ailbhe Lacey (22)
3rd-year plumbing apprentice from Luggacurren, Stradbally, Co Laois
Why I chose an apprenticeship in plumbing
I never planned to be a plumber like my Dad, Gerry, who runs his own business called Clean Heat Services. When I left school I couldn’t wait to get a job, earn my own money and be independent. I worked in cabin crew for an airline for a year, but it wasn’t for me. At the weekends I went out with my Dad on different jobs and loved it. Eventually he asked if I’d like to do an apprenticeship with him and I jumped at the chance. Dad and I get on really well. He’s great craic.
How to apply
Dad got approval that he could provide the training required, and I was registered as an apprentice. It was a straightforward process.
What to expect
There’s a lot to learn, but the way the course is broken down into different phases makes it really interesting. You’re on the job a lot of the time, but then you spend periods at college doing the theory side of it, so along with practical training, you get to experience college life as well. It’s a good balance.
Every day is different. You could be helping to install a new heating system, servicing a boiler, responding to an emergency pipe leak… I’m never bored.
Pros
I have friends who struggled to find work in the area for which they qualified after four years at university. I’ll be able to work in my chosen field at the end of my apprenticeship and I’m getting paid in the process. At the moment I’m on €435 a week before tax.
Cons
I can’t fault the apprenticeship scheme. The way it’s set up is really clever. I just think it’s a shame more girls don’t do it. When I started I had a fair idea that I’d be in a very tiny minority. Every time I went to college, on the first day one of the lads would invariably say, ‘Think you’re in the wrong room’ and I’d reply, ‘This is plumbing, isn’t it? I’m in the right room’. Once they adjusted to the idea of having a girl in their midst, however, they were brilliant, really supportive.
What next?
I’ll be qualified in 2020. I’d love to work as a plumber in Canada or Australia, but I’ll need a couple of years’ experience under my belt first. I’m fortunate that I can work with Dad to do that.
‘It’s just a shame that more girls don’t decide to give plumbing a go’