Training to be a plumber

biggaz26

I am looking into retraining to be a plumber as there is a lack of good ones in my area.

Anyone know the best way to go about this. Ive checked my local colleges website and cannot find any courses except one which cover DIY tasks.

I'm not keen on using one of these training companies as they tend to be expensive and don't always giove you recognised qualifications.

Cheers in advance for any advice.
G

elsietanner71

Qualifying as a plumber is twofold: you need your

- theory eg C& G 6129 Technical Certificates Level 2 Basic Plumbing Studies and Level 3 Plumbing Studies and

- your practical City & Guilds (6089) NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Mechanical Engineering Services – Plumbing (Domestic)

If you don't work in the industry the best way is to find a theory course (search for one on C&G website www.cityandguilds.com) get that under your belt then try and find a placement with a plumber who will hopefully take you on allowing you to enroll on a NVQ course. A college won't let you on the NVQ without a placement.

I'd advise you to consider this carefully as you have to be tenacious and determined to get yourself a placement.

If you're between 16 and 19 your best bet would be an apprentcieship www.apprenticeships.org.uk

A full guide to becoming a plumber can be found here: http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/JobProfile?jobprofileid=274&jobprofilename=Plumber&code=1801130705

Good luck

hellokitty08

Just as a guide, at my college C& G 6129 Technical Certificates costs £1,100 and runs for two evenings a week, each session for three hours.

biggaz26

thanks for the help so far. more than i expected anyone to be able to tell me so great thanks.

My issue is the placement as I can imagine I would have to take a substancial paycut to get one or do some of it unpaid.

My Dad is a Gas Engineer and plumber so I could do some of it with him but does he have to be qualified to do that as well. Ill ask him later but anyone any ideas in the mean time

G

john539

There have been some other threads on this, do a search.

powned

I am starting my training soon, i found this site useful: become a plumber
It goes into decent detail on all the qualifications, fast track courses, the job, all different types of plumbing etc etc.. I found it helpful anyway.

I am going to get my core c&g certificates and work for a year or so, then hopefully become a heating engineer... thats where the money is, a mate of mine sometimes can make £500 in a day - nice! :beer:

Oldernotwiser

biggaz26 wrote: »

thanks for the help so far. more than i expected anyone to be able to tell me so great thanks.

My issue is the placement as I can imagine I would have to take a substancial paycut to get one or do some of it unpaid.

My Dad is a Gas Engineer and plumber so I could do some of it with him but does he have to be qualified to do that as well. Ill ask him later but anyone any ideas in the mean time

G

I don't think you're going to find anything much better than doing your site experience with your dad or one of his contacts. It was one of the first things I asked any of my clients who wanted to go into construction, whether they had any friends/family who'd be able to help them get the practical experience for the NVQ.

You'll need to contact one of your local training organisations to see whether they're able to come and assess you.

biggaz26

Right, A little update.

Ive spoken to my Dad who retires next year.

Basically the upshot it he has said provided I get myself trained in plumbing he will sort me out with some work and help in getting assessed for NVQs and the like and then will put me through my GAS SAFE stuff after. Effectively then handing over the business to me when he is retired.

Ive looked around and the best I can find is full time courses over 5 weeks or more and the costs run in to £000s

Does anyone know were I can get a part time course. Ideally evenings or weekends. I have 3 colleges in my area I could attended and 2 of them dont cover plumbing on a part time basis and the other doesnt start until september.

Anyone have any ideas??

G

hellokitty08

Well if you tell us which county your in that might help.

biggaz26

Berkshire.

The nearest colleges to me are Newbury, Reading & Basingstoke. but none of these seem to provide what I am after

G

hellokitty08

Basingstoke Technology College do the right courses, but during the day rather then eveing, however they may offer these as well, so might be worth a phone call,

http://www.bcot.ac.uk/everyone/courses/search_results.asp?coursesearch=Plumbing&go.x=50&go.y=23

Also says http://www.bracknell.ac.uk/ offering plumbing as well but cant get the website to load, not sure if its my computer or what!

We dont have out our part time prospectus for 10/11 yet, so it might be worth phoning some of the colleges that offer plumbing apprenticeship training or NVQ to see if they know whats on offer.