Matthew Sabin

Matthew Sabin is training to become a plumber.

Trades World spoke to Matthew to find out more about his life, changes, and future ambitions in the trades.

What did motivate you to pursue a career in the trades?  

I was already working for a plumbing company…I have been doing that since 2007 but I wanted to get a pay rise and the qualification I completing now will help me do that.

What qualities does someone need to have in order to be a good plumber? 

People need to know really well the jobs they are doing, but also take pride in their work. When plumbers are happy with what they have installed…when they finish a particular task or job…and everything is neat and works…they feel happy and the end result can be very rewarding. If your work is to high professional standards…you will have an excellent reputation that would always work in your favour.

How is this course going to help you in the future?

It will open more doors for me and increase my employability. At the moment I am happy with what I am doing, but I would like to have more options in the future. For example, rather than working for other people…I could become self-employed and run my own business, choose my own timetable and enjoy more flexibility in the workplace.

What careers or jobs did you have before you joined the trades industry?

Before I moved into the industry, I was working as a courier consultant in France…organising venues for caravan camps.

How important do you think is the customer service in the trades when dealing with people?

Good customer service is essential when dealing with people in the trades industry. You have to know how to communicate with the customers and make sure everything is properly explained to them.

Do you find some of your skills from your previous profession useful in the trades?   

Yes, I already have experience of working with people, proving them with excellent customer service…and that is really helping me in the trades as well.

What are the things you have been doing in centre?

We have been doing copper work, jointing and soldering…at the moment we are doing a low carbon steel, jointing and putting them in a combined framed, using different measuring and jointing techniques.

What is the most enjoyable part of the course for you?

I suppose the most enjoyable thing for me is the low carbon steel because I haven’t worked with it before and it’s quite new to me.

What advice would you give to those considering a career in the trades?

I would say that to enter the trades…it can be challenging at the beginning, but once you have gained some experience and knowledge things will start to get easier and the plumbing profession will become both enjoyable and rewarding for those who are persistent…so my advice would be to never give up and always be positive about your work.