“As I was no longer enjoying my work as a teacher, I decided to retrain as a plumber. I found OLCI on an Internet search and opted for them because they had a course that could get me qualified quicker than any other college. I had high expectations after reading about plumbing in the press, and I’m glad I made the move. Now I’m self-employed and running my own business in London, where there’s a huge demand for plumbers. So the future’s looking good for me. I get to do lots of different jobs and I love the hands-on nature of my work as it provides me with the job satisfaction I wanted. As I build my business, I’m intending to be a sub-contractor in the plumbing industry and have people working for me.”
MIKE GENNER

“The flexibility of my course was ideal for me. I’m married with three children and it meant I could fit it around my busy work schedule. I’m delighted to say that I recently started my own plumbing business. It was a big decision making the jump from earning a regular salary to the unknown, but long term I can see it going well. It feels good to have completed the course and reach my goal. I’ve been very impressed with OLCI and the workshops and trainers are very good. I would recommend them to anyone.”
JEREMY BOERS

“I found my plumbing course after a search on the Internet. After looking at many courses, it seemed that OLCI offered the best support and had the best credentials. It took me just 18 months to get my NVQ Levels 2 & 3 and I’ve now set up my own company. Why plumbing? As a mechanical engineer, manufacturing in the UK was looking tough and I got fed up with losing my job to be honest. So I thought I would become master of my own destiny and set up my own business. Which I’m happy to say I did.”
SIMON HOLLAND

“I live a stone’s throw from the main centre of the London Olympic Games, and I thought it would be a great idea if I could cash in on the local building boom. After looking at different construction courses, I decided to enrol with OLCI to become a qualified plumber. My course has been excellent; easy to follow, straight forward with no pressure, and you can work at your own pace. It’s the best career move I could have made. I reckon the job opportunities will be really good, and I can’t wait to get out in the marketplace.”
BARRY LENAGHAN

“School had always been a struggle for me; severe Dyslexia made day-to-day classroom work extremely challenging. But determined not to be beaten, I searched the Internet for a way forward in my life. I found OLCI and with a simple phone call was enrolled. As I went through my course, I just couldn’t put it down. I was drawn into the whole course. I’d never been hooked by writing before as I’d always found it so hard, but I’ve just chomped through this course. Now I have a very successful plumbing business called Premiere Plumbing, in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan. I’ve been amazed with the constant work load and earnings. Through goodwill and word-of-mouth, I’ve built up and established a major local presence. It goes to show that even with the learning difficulties such as mine - with determination and perseverance you can make a success of yourself.”
GRAHAM FREEMAN

Adrian Frampton cannot wait to launch his own plumbing business. He has been training with OLCI for nine months and is on course to qualify by the end of May. At that point Adrian, right, from Taunton, Somerset, plans to get more experience with a local firm before branching out on his own.

Adrian, 36, who used to work for a telecoms firm, says: “I am really excited about being my own boss. It goes to show that you don’t have to be stuck in a job you simply don’t enjoy. I have always been good with my hands and when I was looking at my career options I thought I could always find work as a plumber. I had applied to a college to do a plumbing course but there was a three-year waiting list. They actually recommended the OLCI and I am glad they did. The level of training is excellent. There’s also a great satisfaction with the job in solving other people’s problems.”
ADRIAN FRAMPTON, SOMERSET

“The course was the best choice because it is so well accredited by City & Guilds and these qualifications are important. I am training for my NVQ Level 2. I can do more than fix a dripping tap or change a washer. I’m installing a bathroom for friends and have just put in a dishwasher, sink and toilet in a cottage.”
SARAH VENUS, SCHOOL TEACHER

“I begin work tomorrow as a full-time plumber and so would very much appreciate it if you could…send me my course certificate as quickly as you can so that I can prove my competence (to this level).  Thank you very much in advance for your assistance, and for producing the course material in the first place, which I’ve found to be first class and which has enabled me to transfer my career from IT project management to plumbing.  I look forward to using the knowledge you have given me on a daily basis, having found it very useful for the apprenticeship that I have just completed.”
DOMINIC LOWES, PREVIOUSLY IN IT

“I chose the OLCI's courses because I could study in my own time and work at the same time. I completed my course in September 2002 and am currently working as a plumber with NVQ level 2.”
STEVE WARDLE, PREVIOUSLY IN IT

“I’m serving with the RAF in the Middle East - and am also a trainee of OLCI. I managed to score 98% of my module, despite having to study through a gas mask!”
FLIGHT SERGEANT STEVEN BULLEYMENT

“I have always been good at DIY and I thought plumbing was something I could make a reasonable living at. The course at OLCI was perfect because I can work it around the job I’m still doing. Traditional college courses didn’t seem to offer anything for my age group either. OLCI’s practical courses allow you to meet other people doing the same thing and you know you are getting the proper bona fide plumbing qualifications at the end.”
RUSSELL BROWN, MACHINE SETTER

“At present I’m serving in the Army. When I leave the forces, I need to have another profession to be able to use in ‘civvy street’.

“OLCI Construction Training is an excellent way of achieving a professional, useful skill to assist me in a new job. A thoroughly enjoyable, well presented useful course either for personal development or a career change. Well done!!”
PAUL MOORE, HM FORCES

“In my old job I got to hear what people were earning. I used to talk to plumbers. All of them were taking home much more than I was. They weren’t even doing the mundane nine-to-five routine, they were their own bosses. I just thought ‘why not?’

"I’m looking forward to helping people. It will give immediate satisfaction, whereas with financial advice, customers don’t see the benefit for five years or more… I will be in control of my own time. I will be able to choose when I work and that will mean more time with my kids..”
JONATHAN MORRIS, PREVIOUSLY A FINANCIAL ADVISOR

“I saw the advert for OLCI and saw the chance of actually reaping the rewards for all the efforts I was able to put into something – so I enrolled. I have completed the nine theory modules and… intend to make a healthy career from plumbing; whilst learning the practical side needed to improve my skills; hopefully aided and abetted by OLCI. After completing the first two stages, I am much more confident than I was 3 weeks ago!”
DAVID GODDARD, 45, RETAILER

“The OLCI course was perfect. I can be qualified within 10 months by studying for 10 hours a week… I’m sure I’m going to enjoy getting down to the dirty work – there’s a lot of job satisfaction when you get to see a project through from the beginning to end. And the course also covers in depth theoretical elements. You learn all about water regulations and the work standards you have to achieve, which is very useful.”
ALASTAIR CUTHBERTSON, INSURANCE BROKER

“I would like to change career from working shifts and weekends, but need to do this while working as I have family and a mortgage – this is ideal but I do hope to get an NVQ2 out of this course.”
SIMON HORTH, 39, PRINTER

“I chose OLCI as I don’t get the time nor can I afford to take time away from work two days a week going to a local college. I want to change my career and start my own plumbing business. I want to obtain NVQ2 status to qualify to do a gas certificate course and get CORGI registration to eventually lead to become an NVQ assessor, furthering my career potential.”
SIMON RICHARDSON, 37, TANKER DRIVER

So why not find out more now? It could be the start of a lucrative new career.