Plumbing Courses - The College Route

Qualifications required
You will be assessed for your potential to achieve the Apprenticeship.
You will have to pass the British Plumbers Employers Council (BPEC) training test to start the Apprenticeship. It is recommended that you have gained a minimum of GCSE grades D and above or equivalent.

Approximate time to complete plumbing course
Depending on college, 3-5 years

Plumbing Qualifications Achieved

1. The Apprenticeship consists of:
   City & Guilds NVQ Level 2 Plumbing
   Technical Certificate
2. Employment Rights and Responsibilities
3. Key Skills
   

There may also be optional modules depending on your employer.

You can also go on to the Advanced apprenticeship which includes the NVQ Level 3.

Most colleges offer plumbing apprentices, providing both the practical skills and theory knowledge needed to be a plumber. This route is one of the most popular however the courses can be very overcrowded and waiting time can be two or three years.

The majority of colleges only offer these apprenticeships to 16 to 24 year olds although others may be open to adult learners.

You must be committed and have a keen interest in plumbing. You will need to prove that you have the determination and motivation to succeed.

Course Content:
The courses range between three and five years depending on the college. Students get practical training through placements organised by the college and study at the college one or two days a week. The five year course is structured as follows:

First Year Plumbing Courses
Plumbing 1
Mathematics for Plumbing
Plumbing Drafting & Blueprint Reading 1
Welding Fundamentals

Second Year Plumbing Courses
Instruction to Plumbing Code
Plumbing Drafting & Blueprint Reading 2
Advanced Welding

Third Year Plumbing Courses
Plumbing Code 2
Mechanical CAD for Plumbers
Welding for Plumbing 1

Fourth Year Plumbing Courses
Plumbing 4
Plumbing Code 3
Welding for Plumbing 2

Fifth Year Plumbing Courses
Backflow Prevention Devices
Estimating/CFC
Medical Gas 
MIG & TIG Processes

The three year course should contain the same modules but with more intensive studying.

Finding a college

It is important to get your name on the waiting list as soon as possible. The demand for courses is high and you may have to travel to a college further away for places.

The college is  responsible for providing the off the job training and the assessment of the NVQ. Assessment usually takes place in the workplace and College. A College assessor will visit the employer’s workplace approximately once a month.