PERSONALITY PROFILE
43
Plumbing and patience
Success does not come easy, regardless of what industry one
works in. For Patrick van Zyl, learning the ins and outs of the
plumbing industry helped him perfect his skills and become
successful in the industry.
By Dineo Phoshoko
This 29-year-old is a maintenance plumber at
Modern Plumbing Works. Part of his job requires
him to work on maintenance and small-works
plumbing. “There are many career options for an
apprentice plumber to choose from within the
plumbing industry,” says Van Zyl. He said that
another advantage of working in the industry is the
possibility of earning a comfortable living.
His journey as a plumber started when Van Zyl enrolled
at college and was placed at a construction company
as an apprentice plumber. Since then, Van Zyl has
seen seven years in the industry. Being in the plumbing
industry has not always been easy; however, going to a
trade school in the UK definitely helped him get to where
he is today.
The best
way to learn
plumbing is to
get stuck in.
dealing with the stigma attached to pluming. “I’m not dirty
or stupid, and I’m not trying to scam anyone,” he explains.
When he is not busy with plumbing work, Van Zyl enjoys
eating, cleaning, and catching up on some much-needed
sleep. Looking ahead, Van Zyl would one day like to have
a plumbing business of his own. His advice for people
interested in getting into the industry?
“The best way to learn plumbing is to get stuck in.” PA
One of the highlights of his career in plumbing has been
working on the Norwood Police Barracks. “I had a lot
of fun with the team I was part of. I was given time to
improve my skills and I learnt a lot,” he says. He explains
that the industry requires one to be very patient, because
it takes time to make a decent living.
Van Zyl believes that the plumbing industry still needs
some work, but he is optimistic that things will improve. In
his view, one of the difficulties in being in the industry is
Patrick van Zyl has been in
the plumbing industry for
seven years.
T