Plumbing Courses - The Intensive Route

Qualifications required
Usually no qualifications are required. Occasionally it may be recommended to have four or five GCSE’s.

Approximate time to complete plumbing course
Courses range from six weeks to 2 or 3 months.

Qualifications achieved
The courses aim to train students to be fully-qualified plumbers however it is important to check the qualifications are accredited. The most well known accredited courses are those with City and Guilds.

Intensive Plumbing Courses

With many college courses being full and waiting lists several years long many people are opting for the quick-fix route to plumbing, the intensive course.

Intensive plumbing training course covers all aspects of domestic plumbing, fault finding and maintenance.

The programme is usually split into two parts theory training on the understanding of plumbing systems and practical training.

The training will usually consist of a six to twelve week course, with training over 5 days per week.

The theory part of the courses will usually cover the following modules:

• Health and Safety
• Plumbing Processes
• Cold Water
• Hot Water
• Sanitation/Drainage
• Hot Water Heating
• Basic Electrics
• Fault Finding and Maintenance
• Water Regulations

The practical part of the course will cover the following modules:

• Pipe bending and jointing skills for copper tube to City and Guild requirements
• Installing and testing sanitary ware and waste pipework to City and Guilds requirements
• Installing and commissioning bathroom suites
• Use of Plastic push fit plumbing systems
• Install and commission hot water cylinders and cold water cisterns
• Install/replace Immersion heaters
• Install/replace electric showers
• Install mixer type showers
• Install and commission radiators
• Install outside taps
• Install washing machine
• Install thermostatic radiator valves
• Replace kitchen, washbasin and bath taps

Finding an intensive plumbing course provider

Similarly to distance learning courses, it is important to find out which intensive courses are accredited. Some courses may cost several thousand pound yet the qualification you gain may not stand up when it comes to getting a job. Ask the provider if the course is accredited by ‘City and Guilds’, the most common NVQ training provider.

Costs

The courses usually cost around £4000.