Career Profile -- by Mark Sproxton

After much straining and groaning, the 270 kilogram hot water tank sits in its final resting place. Hauling the tank off the back of a truck and moving it up and down stairs through narrow doorways has taken its toll. The two plumbers and one mover lean against the wall collecting their breath, perspiration running down their faces. But it's all in a day's work.

The tank serves a large apartment complex and needs to be up and running quickly. Shortcuts could be taken, but Wayne Crocker wants the work completed properly. The needed pieces requires a trip to a nearby parts supplier before any more work can be completed on-site. "One of my goals is to look back and have people say it was a good company," the owner of J.W. Plumbing and Heating explained.

While pleasing everyone is a tall order, Crocker knew that before establishing his own business in Calgary. "My father was a plumber," he said. "I followed in his footsteps." Starting his career at the Glace Bay Heavy Water plant in Nova Scotia, Crocker moved west and added business owner to his resume that also includes certifications as a steam fitter, gas fitter and plumber.

With no signs of slowing down, Crocker continues to enjoy the plumbing and heating work his small company performs. "The best part of the job is I'm in the part of the business that's service oriented. You get to move around and meet different people and do different components of the business, whether it's installing a boiler or replacing taps."

As the owner, Crocker spends much of his time travelling from site to site providing quotes on the cost of performing specific work. One time the quote might include replacing a boiler at a commercial property, the next might be replacing a toilet in someone's home. The journeymen plumbers and an apprentice on staff do the majority of the hands-on work that includes cutting pipe, soldering, unclogging pipes and hooking up new equipment. But Crocker also has many opportunities to get his hands dirty. "The down side of this work is it's wet and cold," he said. "And at one time you're very slow, and the next, things are too busy and you couldn't keep up even if you had five extra guys."

Being a small company, J.W. plumbers meet every weekday morning for breakfast to divide up the work for an eight-hour work day. The plumbers use company-owned vehicles, and, except for their own hand tools, use company supplied equipment as well. All wear company shirts and/or coveralls and carry radios as well to keep in touch with each other, and to respond to other calls. "We can have our day scheduled and have emergencies come in and we all have to adjust and alternate depending on what other calls come in and who needs what the fastest," Crocker said. The four JW plumbers take turns covering weekends.

From his years in the plumbing industry, Crocker knows what it takes to succeed at the trade. "Attitude is a big thing. It goes a long way. The best plumbers are the ones who enjoy what they do. And you have to have common sense and be able to work with your hands."

Plumbers who complete the four-year apprenticeship and earn journeyman certification will earn about $20 per hour. But the monetary side of things has held little interest for Crocker. "It's not about making a pile of money. It's about making a living and keeping the guys and the customers happy."

Read: A Woman's Experiences in the Plumbing Trade