Plumbing Courses - Plumbing Training an Overview
The Job of a Plumber
The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering's definition of plumbing is:
"Work associated with the provision of water supply pipework including that used for fire fighting; all forms of space heating, gas installation, sanitary appliances, discharge pipework and drainage; the weathering of structures and buildings".
Plumbing embraces a large sphere of work. Some plumbers work as 'wet only plumbers', dealing with piped systems for water such as installing radiators, bathroom suites and showers. Others decide to take additional plumbing courses and branch out into the gas trade so they can install gas central heating systems as well. These plumbers have to by law become registered with the Council of Registered Gas Installers (CORGI), after passing their Approved Certification Scheme (ACS). Whatever area of the industry plumbers decide to work in, they need to be properly qualified and require comprehensive knowledge of the Water Regulations (Water Bylaws in Scotland) and the Building Regulations.
Qualities Needed By Those Wanting to Train as Plumbers
Plumbers need the ability and initiative to problem solve, a thirst for knowledge of new technology, a creative brain, sound judgment and most importantly honesty and professionalism. Most Plumbing training establishments will prefer applicants to have a GCSE grade A-C level in Maths and Science or equivalent, to verify that they have the mental ability to cope with the plumbing course..
Being a plumber is also physical job; its not just about passing plumbing courses, you have to be prepared to get your hands dirty, learn to use many tools and equipment in a safe and effective way, be prepared to work in small, cramped spaces (under sinks etc) and you will need to be a fast learner (plumbers who take you on for work experience will expect you to make the odd blunder, but not to make it twice!).
What do plumbers earn after completing their plumbing course and gaining practical experience?
The average plumber employed by a business will earn in the region of £25,000 after a couple of years experience.
If you are self employed a lot of what you earn depends on how much time and effort you put in. The typical self-employed plumber earns between £30,000 - £40,000 a year. If you are working 12 hour shifts six or seven days a week of course you will earn a lot more.
According to the Sunday Times on 22nd February 2004:
"Self-employed plumbers can charge £90 per hour + VAT, some make £100,000 a year"
According to Plumbing Course provider Plumbing Career Skills, some of the people earning these amounts have done so by taking intensive plumbing courses, rather than training through the more traditional route.
Plumbing Courses & Plumbing Qualifications
To be a plumber you can follow the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) route ( SNVQ - in Scotland). These plumbing qualifications are made up of theory and practical work in the classroom/training facility and work based experience with a working plumber. Colleges should help students find a work position, although many students organise it themselves.
SummitSkills holds a register of colleges and courses throughout the UK and is a good starting point for those wanting to get into plumbing. However, once you have found the college you want to attend, you may have to pass the BPEC Selection Exam first. This test assess whether those wishing to enrol on a plumbing course will be suitable. Plumbing courses are in high demand so colleges want to make certain that they take on those who are capable of training to be a plumber, rather than those who will have difficulties and may quit half way through their plumbing course.
The S/NVQ qualification works in levels. All newly qualified plumbers should hold S/NVQ Level 2 as basic with Level 3 preferred. Level 2 gives you the foundations for a career in plumbing and instructs you in domestic plumbing techniques to a satisfactory level. Level 3 plumbing training is more comprehensive and deals with domestic, commercial and industrial plumbing along with aspects such as gas - if you want to one day set up your own plumbing business, this is the level of plumbing qualification you should be aiming for.
Only a few years ago, if you were over 25 years old you would have had no chance to become a plumber as both colleges and employers would consider you too old. Your only option then would have been to pay thousands of pounds to buy a plumbing franchise. However today, if you feel that a plumbing college course lasting 2-5 years is not for you then there are a number of companies offering intensive, shorter plumbing courses that offer plumbing training to in just a few months.
Specific Routes To Plumbing Qualifications
Plumbing Courses - The College Route
Pllumbing Courses - The Distance Learning Route
Pllumbing Courses - The Intensive Route
Plumbing Courses - NVQ 1 Plumbing
Plumbing Courses- NVQ 2 Plumbing
Pllumbing Courses - NVQ 3 Plumbing
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