Getting a head start

Getting a head start!

The college does not have a policy of telling the students in advance what to study to get a head start on the courses. They want everyone to go into the courses on the same level.

That is where this blog comes in handy!

To give you a head start, I will go over some of the books sold by BTSC at contract signing for level 1&2. You level 3 people already are advanced enough to figure out what is going on in the industry. This blog is designed to give people, who know nothing about the plumbing industry and desire a career change through a BTSC course, a head start.

Here is a list of the 6 books that BTSC will sell to you on contract signing:

1. Safe Start by CITB (Amazon UK)
2. Plumbing Mechanical Sevirces Book One by G.J. Blower (Amazon UK)
3. Plumbing Mechanical Sevirces Book Two by G.J. Blower (Amazon UK)
4. Plumbing by R.D. Treloar (Amazon UK)
5. Water Regulations Guide by Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (Amazon UK)
6. Plumbing Encyclopedia by R.D. Treloar (Amazon UK)

There is only one book listed here that one really needs to refer to in their revision (Water Regulations Guide by Water Regulations Advisory Scheme). The Plumbing Encyclopedia by R.D. Treloar is a good resource to have in general but you won’t need it for revision.

Everything you need to know to start your Health and Safety exam and to pass your first 4 module’s exams are going to be found in:

1. Safe Start by CITB
2. Plumbing Mechanical Sevirces Book One by G.J. Blower
3. Plumbing Mechanical Sevirces Book Two by G.J. Blower
4. Plumbing by R.D. Treloar
5. Water Regulations Guide by Water Regulations Advisory Scheme

However, you don’t need all of these books to have a good head start or to pass the BTSC exams. While attending the college, even some of the instructors will tell you that you will find that there are other books on the market that are better to revise from in addition to the notes from the classroom and the BTSC TCM (Trainee Courseware Manual). Two things they will refer you to, one website and one book that encompasses most of what you are taught for level 1&2.

1. Learne-A-Trade website revision CD
2. Plumbing NVQ and Technical Certificate: Level 2 by JTL (Amazon UK)
3. Plumbing Revision Guide by John Thompson (Amazon UK)

I cannot speak for the Learn-a-Trade software. Although it has been recommended by the college, I don’t know anyone who uses it. However, the two books, Plumbing NVQ and Technical Certificate: Level 2 by JTL and Plumbing Revision Guide by John Thompson, are two of the most valuable books you can purchase! Everything you find in the 6 books the college sells you will be covered in these two books. The books that the college sells you are packed with information but it is dry and not in a format that is easy to understand, read or remember for the beginner. The Water Regulations Guide by WRAS, Plumbing NVQ and Technical Certificate: Level 2 by JTL and Plumbing Revision Guide by John Thompson (along side of your class notes and BTSC TCM) are really the only books you need to revise and pass your exams. In fact, with these three books you will find you are covering some of the same information over again. However, I would suggest still purchasing the both since they are written somewhat differently. Of the two books, I prefer the Plumbing Revision Guide by John Thompson because I think it is written with passing the exams in mind and contains better self tests at the end of each chapter.

So, in short, if you want to get a head start on what you will be covering in class and pass your exams, purchase and revise with the following:

1. Plumbing NVQ and Technical Certificate: Level 2 by JTL
2. Plumbing Revision Guide by John Thompson

I will give you a beginners overview of what you will be covering in the Health and Safety Exam and first couple of modules so that you can study in advance before you get there! See this link: Module Revision