Plumber
What is the work like?
As a plumber you would install, service and repair plumbing systems in homes and businesses. For example, you might be responsible for making sure a public building gets clean drinking water, or you may be called out to fix a central heating boiler in a house.
Your main tasks would vary and would depend on whether you work in domestic, industrial or commercial premises, but they could include:
- installing and repairing water supplies, heating systems and drainage
- servicing gas- and oil-fired central heating systems, boilers and radiators
- installing and fixing domestic appliances like showers and washing machines
- servicing air-conditioning and ventilation units
- fitting weather-proof materials, joints and flashings to roofs, chimneys and walls.
On all jobs, you would use hand and power tools, which could include welding equipment.
With experience, you might specialise in sheet metal work on industrial, commercial or historical buildings, which would involve cutting, shaping and fitting panels made from aluminium, copper, lead or zinc.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To become a qualified plumber you will need the full NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Mechanical Engineering Services – Plumbing (Domestic). If you already work in plumbing but do not have the NVQ, please refer straight to the training and development section below.
If you are not working in plumbing, you will need the following qualifications:
- City & Guilds (6129) Technical Certificates Level 2 Basic Plumbing Studies and Level 3 Plumbing Studies
- City & Guilds (6089) NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Mechanical Engineering Services – Plumbing (Domestic).
Technical certificates do not prove that you are a qualified plumber, only the full NVQ qualification can do this. However, they do cover the theory and some of the practical skills you will need before you can move on to the NVQ. The certificates include:
- hot and cold water systems
- sanitation systems
- central heating pipework
- safety.
Many colleges offer the certificates but there is strong competition for places and they set their own course entry requirements, which often include an aptitude test. Due to health and safety regulations, you may not be able to complete a training course if you are colour-blind. Check with your chosen college about restrictions and whether they can offer you a colour vision assessment test.
Industry bodies strongly recommend that you gain a work placement or employment with a plumbing firm as soon as possible after starting the technical certificates. This would allow you to start the full NVQ. Your college may help you to find a placement but you could also contact plumbing firms directly. Make sure you have an up-to-date CV in case employers ask for one.
The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) has useful information for anyone looking to train as a plumber, and its Women in Plumbing Group also actively encourages women to think about plumbing as a career.
See the SummitSkills website for further information on entry routes into plumbing, training providers and qualifications.
Short courses
A number of organisations offer short intensive training courses, some with home-study options. To make sure that these are industry-recognised and accredited, you should contact your regional City & Guilds office with the course provider's details. You should also find out from the provider what would happen if you fell behind or dropped out of an intensive course.
Apprenticeships
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
Entry into plumbing in Northern Ireland follows a similar pattern to training in England and Wales. For more details contact ConstructionSkills (NI) and SNIPEF.
Overseas qualifications
If you are qualified from outside the UK, contact the Joint Industry Board for Plumbing for details about how to register as a qualified plumber. You will need to give your qualification details from your home country.
What further training and development can I do?
If you are already employed in the industry, you can work towards:
- NVQ in Mechanical Engineering Services – Plumbing (6089) at Level 2 and
- NVQ Mechanical Engineering Services – Plumbing (6089) at Level 3.
As well as assessing your practical skills, both NVQ levels include the technical certificate (6129). The NVQ is normally available on a part-time or day-release basis through colleges and training centres.
The Level 3 NVQ contains three extra assessments for:- Water Regulations
- Unvented Hot Water Systems
- ACS gas safety (required for CORGI registration).
The ACS assessments for domestic and commercial gas plumbing are different, so if you want to move from one area to the other, you would have to take the matching assessment. For more details about ACS and CORGI assessments, see the job profile for Gas Service Technician or visit Energy & Utility Skills.
The Corgi Registration Scheme is in the process of being phased out and will be replaced by a new registration scheme, administered by Capita, in early 2009. See the HSE press release for more information.
If you work with oil-fired appliances and heating systems, you could register with the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) and take their training and accreditation scheme.
The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) has a range of membership options if you are training or working in the industry, which could help with your professional development. The British Plumbing Employers' Council (BPEC) Services also offers various training packs, including ACS assessment preparation and practical business guides.
If you fit new boilers, you must have the City & Guilds Certificate in Energy Efficiency for Domestic Heating (6084), which is required by Part L of the Building Regulations. Contact the Energy Efficiency helpline or visit the Skills4business website for more details.
Where can I go for more information?
Energy Efficiency HelplineTel: 08080 100222
Nutts Corner
Crumlin
Co Antrim
BT29 4SR
Tel: 0800 587 2288
Edinburgh
EH3 7LB
64 Station Lane
Hornchurch
Essex
RM12 6NB
Tel: 01708 472791
Edinburgh
EH3 7LB
Tel: 0131 225 2255
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Related profiles...
Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Technician
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries for newly qualified plumbers are between £16,500 and £21,000.
- Experienced plumbers can earn between £21,000 and £30,000 a year.
- Plumbers with supervisory duties can earn up to £35,000.
Rates vary regionally, with the highest average salaries in London and the south-east. Self-employed plumbers negotiate their own rates.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would work around 40 hours a week, often with the option to do overtime. Some employers offer a 24-hour call-out service, which would involve working unsocial hours. As a self-employed plumber you would set your own working hours.
You could work both indoors, often in confined spaces, and outdoors in all weather conditions. Some work may be at heights on the outside of buildings or on rooftops.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- the ability to follow technical drawings and plans
- good practical skills
- good problem-solving skills
- a careful and methodical approach to work
- normal colour vision (for some work)
- a reasonable level of fitness
- an awareness of safety issues and legal regulations
- the ability to work as part of a team and alone
- good customer care skills.
What opportunities are there?
As a qualified plumber you can work in a number of different areas, including heating and ventilation, refrigeration and air-conditioning, gas servicing, and kitchen and bathroom fitting. For some of these, you will need the appropriate certification, for example CORGI registration for gas work.
Your promotion options would depend on the size of your company, but could include moves into estimating, computer aided design and contract management. Self-employment is also a common option.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)
bConstructive (list of building firms)
Construction Jobs Network
Jobcentre Plus
Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (list of companies)
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
Search Careers Advice
Contact an adviser
Email
Call back
or phone: 0800 100 900
Bilingual advisers available
Face-to-face advice
