What Skills or Qualifications do I need?

[webmaster]

Plumbing requires a number of wide ranging skills to be learned and mastered including the cutting, bending and jointing of pipework materials such as copper, plastics, steel and iron; the siting, locating and fixing of appliances as diverse as showers and boilers; the cutting, shaping and fixing of sheet roofing materials such as lead and the diagnosis of faults on high tech electronic components in heating systems.

A qualified plumber needs to be:

Willing to work in all weather conditions, including cold buildings and the open air

Able to work at heights - such as on the roofs of buildings
Prepared to take responsibility for their own work. As you progress, this may also include the work of others
Honest and trust worthy
Flexible - plumbers are often required to respond to emergency calls, outside normal working hours
Prepared to travel to a site, often early in the morning - most plumbers are required to drive their own or a company vehicle
Able to work with their hands as well as their mind to solve problems

Plumbers also:

Plan jobs
Need to know how systems and components operate
Need to understand technical drawings and instructions
Follow instructions
Carry out accurate measurements
Use a range of tools and equipment such as hacksaws, blowlamps, power tools and testing and measuring equipment
Though a career in plumbing requires no specific academic requirements, you will be expected to be working towards achievement of reasonable exam results (Grade D - GCSE) in English, Maths, Science and Craft, Design and Technology. You may also be expected to take a selection test to see if you are suitable for working in the plumbing industry. This is for your benefit as well as your potential employer.
Plumbers need high quality training in order to achieve formal qualifications, to ensure that they work competently, safely and effectively.

The industry has developed Foundation Modern Apprenticeships leading to achievement of a Level 2 qualification (England & Wales only)

Advanced Modern Apprenticeships leading to achievement of a Level 3 qualification
Both Foundation Modern Apprenticeships and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships require you to carry out a combination of training with a company where you will learn to practice plumbing skills in the workplace and training to cover basic skills and knowledge requirements usually at a college of further education.

Attendance at a college will usually be on a one day a week basis, some colleges do however offer weekly blocks of training.

It usually takes between 2-3 years to achieve the Level 2 qualification and a further 12-18 months to achieve the Level 3.
You'll be paid at rates agreed by the Joint Industry Board for Plumbing (for England and Wales or Scotland and Northern Ireland).

Once qualified you will be able to enter the JIB Grading Structure which links the pay and conditions for qualified plumbers to their qualifications and experience.

If you think that is the end of education and training then think again! Plumbers also need to undertake refresher training and additional training to support the introduction of new legislation and technology, throughout their working life.


Regards, Webmaster
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Regards, Webmaster