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Edwards, HazelWorkdays. A Day in the Life of...a Plumber.ISBN-1-875759-10-79537p.; For related documents, see CE 072 594-603.Draw Publications, P.O. Box 643, Kew, Victoria 3101,Australia ($7 plus $3.50 postage and handling).Books (010) Guides Classroom Use InstructionalMaterials (For Learner) (051)

MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.Adult Basic Education; *Adult Literacy; Adult ReadingPrograms; Career Education; Career Exploration;Entrepreneurship; Foreigri Countries; High InterestLow Vocabulary Books; *Literacy Education;*Occupational Information; *Plumbing; *Quality ofWorking Life; Reading Instruction; *SmallBusinesses

IDENTIFIERS *Australia

ABSTRACTOne of a series of work-based interviews about

occupations in Australia, this booklet presents a personal interviewwith a self-employed plumber about his job. The following questionsare answered: what the plumber does, why the person chose the fieldof employment, how the person got the job, what he does and doesn'tlike about it, what kind of training was needed, what the plumberdoes during a working week, his co-workers, the hours, and how thework contributes to society. Cartoons are used to enliven thematerial, and a glossary listing words is included. Although designedto be used in literacy classes with adult new readers, the bookletsare also appropriate for use with elementary and secondary studentsin career exploration and career education. (KC)

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Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be madefrom the original document.

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, .

Hazel Edwards'

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. Othcgof Educations, Research and ImprovementED DONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION

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The document has been reproduced asreceived from the person or organizationOnpirtsting it

O Minor change* have been made to improvereproduction ctuaMY

Points of woe* or opinions stated in this docu-ment do not necessarily represent office!OERI posmon or policy

a day in the life of

a Plumber

BEST COPY AVAILAI3LE.TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

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Workdaysa day in the life of ...

a Plumber

Name Michael Gardner

Aged 26

3

Workdays

Workdaysa day in the life of...a Plumber

Copyright Hazel Edwards 1995

Draw PublicationsP.O. Box 643 Kew Victoria 3101AUSTRALIA

ISBN 1 875759 10 7

Illustrations by Will GoodwinDesign and layout by Draw PublicationsPrinted by Surrey PrintingPublished and distributed by DrawPublications

42

Workdays

WHAT DOES WORK MEAN TO YOU?

Plumbers' work isn't seen. It's hidden inwalls or under floors so the satisfaction hasto be personal, that I've done a good job.Basically, work means making enoughmoney to live on.

WHAT IS PLUMBING LIKE?

Plumbing is dirty, hard work, but it'senjoyable.

WHAT KIND OF PLUMBING DO YOUDO?

It doesn't worry me what type of plumbing,I'll do anything; installing central heaters orevaporative air conditioners, sewers,spouting, water renewals, gas lines orboilers. Plumbing is seasonal.

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Workdays

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BYSEASONAL?

In winter, there's a lot of heating, in summerthere's cooling, spouting and water renewalsbecause people don't have enough waterpressure.

DO PEOPLE KNOW WHATPLUMBERS DO?

A lot of people don't know what plumbersdo. Most people think we do sewers only.

ARE PLUMBERS NECESSARY?

You have to have plumbers, they're anecessity.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THISOCCUPATION?

Dad was a plumber and offeredapprenticeships to my brother and me. Hewanted to make sure we had a good job.

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Workdays

DID YOUR FATHER NEED YOURHELP?

He could have done without us and he had totake on extra work for the three of us, but hemade the offer. Dad said if I wanted to doplumbing, I was welcome to the job. If not,I could have stayed at school or startedsomething else.

DID YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHINGELSE?

I didn't really know what I wanted to do, andthe career teacher suggested I take theopportunity my father was offering.

WAS YOUR FATHER ALWAYS IN THETRADE?

Dad did an adult apprenticeship in eighteenmonths with my uncle who was a plumbertoo.

5 7

Workdays

WHAT WAS YOUR DAD'S JOBBEFORE HE BECAME A PLUMBER?

Previously Dad had been a labourer.

WHAT SCHOOL DID YOU GO TOTO LEARN YOUR TRADE?

I went to a tech. because it was alwaysconsidered I'd go into a trade of some sortand I'm good with my hands. I'm moresuited to the trades than academic work.

WHAT SUBJECTS DID YOU PREFER?

Metalwork, fitting and machinery were myfavourite school subjects. I'm better withmy hands than my head.

DO YOU STILL WORK TOGETHER?

Now we occasionally work together ifthere's too much work for one, but we've gotseparate businesses.

6

Workdays

WHAT SKILLS OR TRAINING DOES APLUMBER NEED?

A four year apprenticeship andcommonsense. Basic bookkeeping skills arenecessary. With any trade it'scommonsense. If you sit down, you canusually work anything out.

WHAT ABOUT THE PAPERWORK?

Paperwork is different. I don't like thepaperwork.

WHO DOES THE PAPERWORK?

Lyn, my wife does that. I work out thequotes and she writes them down. I writethe bills and she looks after thebookkeeping.

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Workdays

Plumber's paperwork.

108

Workdays

DID YOUR FATHER LIKE THEPAPERWORK?

Dad used to sit down once a month to do hispaperwork. He hated paperwork too.

DO YOU NEED GOODCOMMUNICATION SKILLS?

You do need to be able to talk to people.

HOW DO YOU FIND WORK?

When most people call a plumber they wantsomething done, so you don't need to be asalesman. If you can find the problem andpoint out what needs to be done, you'll getthe job if you're reasonably priced.

DO YOU NEED TO BE STRONG TO BEA PLUMBER?

Physical size does make a difference inplumbing. But bigger blokes take on onlycertain types of work.

9 11

WHY?

Workdays

They don't want to be stuck under a house.So you can pick and choose jobs.

ARE THERE FEMALE PLUMBERS?

There are female plumbers too, but notmany.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THATYOUR DAUGHTER BE A PLUMBER?

If she wanted to be. There are womenplumbers around, and they need the samequalities.

DO YOU START EARLY?

I start early and finish early. In summer I'mon the job by 7 o'clock and don't have lunchor smoko, so I'm home by 4 o'clock.

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Workdays

WHAT ABOUT MEAL BREAKS?

Usually I eat my lunch on the way home.

WHY DO YOU EAT ON THE WAYHOME?

It's the way Dad always worked. Youbooked in a day's work and when it wasfinished, you knocked off even if it was 12o'clock. If you ran, you finished early.

DO YOU WORK LONG HOURS?

I like to be knocked off by 3.30pm, but itdepends on the job. Sometimes you have tofinish off sections. Last week I didn't finishuntil 6.30 or 7.00pm.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO DURING ATYPICAL WEEK?

Last Thursday I was at a new printingfactory in Kilsyth. He wanted me to put in

11

Workdays

an extra toilet and hand basin and for me tomove a kitchen sink. So I did that.Went back tonight to give him the forms forthe final inspection. It should pass.

Friday I finished off a sewer.

Tuesday and Wednesday I did spouting anddownpipes in a house two doors down. Inthe middle of the day I had to pick up a barsink for a carpenter and drop it off at a jobwhere I'll be fitting tomorrow because heneeded to know what size it was. Then Iwent to the local Council to get informationfor a quote but went to the wrong council, soI had to go back. Then I fitted a spa in theafternoon.

Tonight, I'll work on the quote.

DO YOU WORK WEEKENDS?

Most weekends I don't work, butoccasionally something has to be done. Inthe last month I've worked both Saturdayand Sunday for two weekends.

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Workdays

WHAT WILL YOU DO NEXT WEEK?

Next week, there's a carport which needs aroof, gutters and drains put on. A few morespouting jobs are lined up. Then there's abig extension job in Kew for a builder, butthat may not be ready.

IS IT EASY TO GET WORK?

Many times I've gone to bed on Sundaynight with no work for the next week. Thephone will ring Monday morning and I'm offagain.

DO YOU ADVERTISE YOURSELF?

Although I run an ad in the local newspaperand that brings in a few jobs, most is wordof mouth.

1513

Your Ad says you're the best at fixing leaks..this Organisation has one big, ugly one itwants yooz to fix ! ! 16

14

Workdays

WHERE DO YOU DO THE MOSTWORK?

The majority of my work comes from acouple of companies with whom I contract.Most companies have contractors rather thanpeople on staff.

DO YOU CONTACT THEM?

If they're busy they'll ring me.

DOES IT HELP TO HAVE A GOODREPUTATION?

Reputation is everything. Plumbing is asmall world. It's hard to build a good name,but it's real easy to get a bad one.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU DIDBAD WORK?

I know a few plumbers who have done badwork. If you're out, you're out. They don'tget any work.

15 17

Workdays

DO YOU WORK LOCALLY?

Usually, there's a radius in which I travelbut because of the economic climate, I'mhaving to venture further to get work.

DO YOU PREFER WORKING ALONE?

Mostly I work alone. Plumbing's not lonelywork, you're always talking to someone. Iprefer working by myself.

DO YOU EMPLOY OTHER PLUMBERSWHEN YOU ARE BUSY?

Occasionally, I employ a couple of blokes,but only 3 or 4 days per year.

HOW ARE THEY PAID?

They are paid on a flat daily rate or paid bythe hour. Depends on the job.

18

16

Workdays

HAVE YOU EVER WORKED FORSOMEONE ELSE?

After I finished my apprenticeship I workedfour years for another plumber. He had anapprentice who was no good. For four yearsI worried about his mistakes.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Every time something went wrong eventhough it wasn't my fault, because I was theplumber there, I got the blame. Thatworried me because I like to do a good job.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF SELF-EMPLOYMENT?

Self employment means you can work thehours you choose, but it does depend uponthe customer and what's happening. There'sno average. Sometimes it's very busy,sometimes not at all.

17

19

Workdays

TO WHAT EXTENT ARE YOURFRIEND'S WORK RELATED TO YOURWORK?

90% of my friends are in a trade. Three orfour are plumbers. Others are electricians.Most of my friends came from school or thepub. Not many from work, they are mainlyacquaintances.

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED?

A truck. A general set of handtools in onetool box. These are the most used tools. Acouple of shifters, a hammer and screwdrivers. Oxy acetylene for welding andcutting. You have to 'make do'.

DO PLUMBERS HAVE THEIR OWNJARGON?

Each trade has a language. All the differentfittings have abbreviated names. You mighthear, 'Go to the truck and grab the Flunion'.Then there's 'Gooey Gum' a thread sealant

2018

Workdays

which is really called Tot but everybodycalls it 'gooey gum'.

WHAT TECHNOLOGICALDEVELOPMENTS HAVE HAPPENEDIN YOUR WORK AREA?

Nothing dramatic in the eleven years I'vebeen plumbing.

HOW DO YOU FIND OUT ABOUT NEWDEVELOPMENTS?

New fittings and new ways of doing thingsare usually publicised at the plumbingsuppliers. Or I'll pick it up from anotherplumber who's used something new.

CAN YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE?

Recently Vulcan (a company specialising inheaters) brought out a new heater and. theyhad an information night. I went to thatbecause I have to fit the new heaters.

19 21

Workdays

WHAT KIND OF KNOWLEDGE DYOU NEED?

You can't sell to customers if you don'tknow anything about the heaters. Because Ihaven't worked on new houses for sometime, I had to go to the council to check onrecent regulations.

ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR THECOUNCIL STANDARDS?

You need a knowledge of council standardsbecause you are responsible for that.

DO YOU WORK WITH OTHERTRADES?

I work with electricians and carpenters andpretty well every trade. But in bursts. If Iwas very busy doing coolers, I might do thatfor three months and see only electricians.

22

20

Workdays

HOW MIGHT THINGS CHANGE ATYOUR WORKPLACE IN THEFUTURE?

Self regulation is being encouraged andthey're trying to licence everybody in theplumbing industry to get rid of theunqualified people.

WHAT KIND OF LICENCES DO YOUNEED?

I have to have a plumber's licence and acontractor's licence.

HOW DO YOU GET A LICENCE?

Just a matter of filling out a form.

WHAT IS A LICENCE BASED ON?

The licence is based on being a tradesman inthe industry for more than five years and acertain amount of money in the bank.

21 23

Workdays

WHAT DOES THE LICENCE ALLOWYOU TO DO?

The contractor's licence enables you toemploy people. Although I don't employothers, because my wife Lyn is in thebusiness, I need a contractor's licence.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THEFUTURE BECAUSE OF SELF-REGULATION?

In the future, regulations will get easier.They're getting rid of the sewerageinspectors.

DO YOU SEE ANY PROBLEMS WITHSELF-REGULATION?

Corners might be cut in the future and that'snot a good thing.

2422

Workdays

WHAT OTHER CHANGES WOULDYOU LIKE IN THE FUTURE?

If I could get payment on completion itwould make everything easier.

WHAT ABOUT SLOW PAYMENT?

Slow payment is a problem. I might beowed six thousand dollars and yet havenothing in the bank. Overdrawn on theoverdraft.

DO YOU CHASE SLOW PAYERS?

You have to chase them up. But because Imainly work for companies I know, baddebts aren't really a problem.

DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THE JOBSYOU DO?

I worry too much and should get out of themquicker. It's got to be right or I'm not happywith it.

2325

Workdays

WHAT SATISFACTION DOES YOURWORK OFFER?

A bathroom renovation gives the greatestsatisfaction. Before and after. You walk inand they've got an old pink bath and a pinkpedestal basin. You pull it all out, put in thenew one and it looks terrific.

DO PLUMBERS MAKE A LOT OFMONEY?

Money is another matter. People havewrong ideas about how much plumbers earn.

WHAT KIND OF MONEY DO YOUEARN?

I charge thirty dollars per hour. But by thetime I take out running costs and insurancethere's not much left.

26

24

Workdays

Ace Plumbing at your service Madam.

25 27

Workdays

WHAT KIND OF INSURANCE DO YOUNEED?

I have to carry a million dollars worth ofinsurance in case I burn the customer'shouse down.

CAN YOU GET WORKCARE?

No workcare, so if I fall off a roof and breakmy leg I can't work. So, I carry sickness andaccident insurance.

WHY NOT CHARGE MORE PERHOUR?

If I wanted more money, I'd charge moremoney. I'm happy with what I'm getting atthe moment. Better than wages, but youdon't set the world on fire.

28

26

Workdays

ANY OPPORTUNITIES FORBUILDING UP THE BUSINESS?

Opportunities exist for employing morepeople and building up the business. But Idon't want to do that. I'm happy doing whatI'm doing.

DO YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE APLUMBER?

Don't want to still be 'on the tools' after I'm45.

HAVE ANY FUNNY THINGSHAPPENED?

When I was an apprentice. We were tryingto unblock a sewer and we dug down aboutseven feet to clear it. My Dad and a matewere holding me by my feet and they weresupposed to pull me up as it cleared. Butthey didn't. I had long hair, I was coveredin everything.

27 29

Workdays

IF YOU COULD START AGAIN,WOULD YOU CHOOSE THE SAMEOCCUPATION?

Probably. Or maybe some other trade.

WHAT OTHER TRADE DO YOU HAVEIN MIND?

Electrician isn't a bad job. It's not as heavyand not as hard. But any job looks easierfrom the outside. A lot more technicalthings go on with electricians.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVEFOR THOSE CONTEMPLATING YOURAREA OF WORK?

Plumbing is a good job. Some plumbers arenot the brightest but they've still gotreasonable businesses. They can make a goof it fairly easily. All they have to do isdecent work.

30

28

Workdays

DO YOU NEED SPECIAL ABILITIES?

You need commonsense and the ability toget along fairly well with people. Beversatile. If you go to a job and they need afew tiles put on in the bathroom, theplumber can do that instead of calling inanother tradesman.

WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIPLIKE?

The first year of an apprenticeship, you justfollow the plumber around, picking up thebits and pieces. Takes a couple of yearsbefore you're any good. But it depends howquickly you learn. Plumbers are alwaysneeded.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT 'GOINGON THE DOLE'?

Only if I had to, because I was injured andhad no insurance to keep my family, would Igo on the dole.

29 31

Workdays

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUTPEOPLE WHO WON'T WORK?

I think it's crook when there's work aroundand they go on the dole. I think they shouldbe working. I pay my fair share of tax tosupport them.

WHAT ABOUT SICKIES?

Taking 'sickles' is not a right. If you don'twork you don't get paid. That's the way Iwork.

WHO CONTRIBUTES MOST IN OURSOCIETY?

Everybody needs to do their bit. No onecontributes more that the other.

3230

Workdays

GLOSSARY

basically simplyevaporative to give off moistureseasonal could be Spring,

Summer, Autumn orWinter weather

necessity real need or arequirement

apprenticeships a trade being learntduring a certain time,usually four years

opportunity chance or openingtech Australian slang/jargon

for a trade schoolcommonsense practical understandingbookkeeping recording of money

(receipts or accounts)quotes stated or written pricesreasonably sensiblyphysical to do with the human

bodysmoko Australian slang/jargon

for a work breakspouting attached open drain to

catch rainwater from theroof

31 33

Workdays

GLOSSARY CONTINUED

downpipes pipes attached to spoutsto run off rainwater

Council Local Governmentextension additionad Australian slang/jargon

for a newspaperadvertisement

majority most or greatestreputation opinion of a personradius certain areaventure traveloccasionally sometimeselectricians qualified trade person to

do electrical wiringpub Australian slang/jargon

for a Public Baracquaintances someone you know

slightlyabbreviated shorteneddramatic Australian slang/jargon

for unusual or excitingpublicised advertised openlysuppliers trading stores

34

32

Workdays

GLOSSARY CONTINUED

information content, knowledge orfacts

regulations set rulesdollars Australian dollarsoverdraft bank credit account for

a businessrenovation renewed or repaired

workinsurance a way of financial

protection againstaccidents or faulty work

versatile able to do different taskseasily

dole a government paymentto a person out of work

crook Australian slang/jargonfor wrong or not moral

sickies Australian slang/jargonfor a day off work due to(supposed) illness

3533

Hazel Edwards'

Workdaysa day in the life of ...

A collection of simply written, work-based interviews, togive an insight into others' workstyles for beginningadult readers. The subjects were chosen to cover a rangeof occupations and workplace situations in Australiaincluding the self-employed, franchisee, professional,trade and semi-skilled.

'A day in the life of ...' series focuses on twenty people invaried occupations by profiling them through thetechnique of interview.

Mail Orders: Draw Publications,P.O. Box 643, Kew, Victoria, 3101 AustraliaPhone: 61+3+715 1552

Quantity Price($A)2nd SeriesPolice Constables 7.00Customs Officer 7.00Family Garage Owner 7.00Fruiterer/Truck Driver 7.00Plumber 7.00

Set of Five 30.001st SeriesGardener : franchisee 6.00The Chef 6.00Vet Nurse 6.00Computer Salesman 6.00Offshore Platform Worker 6.00Set of Five 25.00

Australian orders :- allow $A6.00 Postage & HandlingOverseas orders :- allow $Al2.00 Postage & Handling

3.

Workdays is based on real people in realjobs. The aim of the series is to providesimply written, interesting and relevantmaterial for new readers.

Author Hazel Edwards' method ofresearching is by interview and visiting theworkplace.

Her previous one hundred books haveincluded adult literacy, scripts, non-fiction,crime and childrens books. Currently she isresearching other workplaces for morebooks in the ' day in a life of ' series.

Gardner : franchisee Policethe Chef Customs OfficerVet Nurse Family Garage OwnerComputer Salesman FruitererOffshore Platform Worker Plumber(current series) (in production)

DrawPil kations

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