The role of a plumber is highly varied and ranges from installing systems to new buildings to the maintenance of existing ones.
Installation work includes central heating systems, sanitary systems, drainage and guttering. Heating systems may be powered using electricity, gas, oil, solids fuel, or even solar energy.
Maintenance work includes routine servicing and emergency repairs. In addition, much of the work involves finding faults and carrying out repairs.
All these jobs need a range of hand and power tools, which are used for cutting, bending and joining pipes.
There are roughly 28,000 plumbers in the UK. Most of them work for a plumbing or maintenance firm, but many are self-employed.
On larger jobs, plumbers work in a team, and, depending on the type of work, sometimes deal directly with clients. There's also the chance to work alongside other occupations like carpenters, painters and electricians.
There are no set entry requirements to train as a plumber, although GCSE passes /Standard Grades in Maths, English and Technology will be helpful for the calculations, measurements and theory.
The main qualification is the City & Guilds 6988 Foundation Certificate in Plumbing, and is available to study at most colleges. This combines theory training with practical skills on and off site.
There are full and part time plumbing courses available at colleges where you will work towards NVQ/SVQ levels 2 and 3. Part time applicants may need to be in relevant work to be accepted. There are also self-study courses available but these only offer theoretical training, which is not enough to qualify.
For more information, contact Summitskills, the council for electrotechnics, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration, and plumbing industries, on 08000 688 336. They will be able to offer help and advice on getting into the industry.
