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Becoming a Plumber

Plumbers are extremely important people in society. It's a fact of life that wherever people settle, they will always need plumbers. Good plumbing is not only vital to public health (plumbers deal with clean drinking water, sanitation, heating systems etc), but is also an integral part of modern day life - how many of us could do without the luxury of a hot bath or central heating? Without the competent plumber disease would be rife, sanitation non-existent, clean, fresh drinking water from a tap only a dream and central heating would consist of a coal or log fire!

The job
Plumbers are a familiar sight to most people who employ them to fix a leak or install a sink. What few people realise however is just how wide ranging is the work that plumbers embrace. Plumbing systems will be found in everything from small domestic dwellings to the International Space Station. Piping systems are even used in the production of microchips and medicines!

Plumbing is a continually developing industry. In recent years environmental technologies have been integrated within the industry and the modern plumber now undertakes a huge variety of jobs, including:

• installing and maintaining central heating systems, hot and cold water systems and drainage systems
• installing, commissioning and maintaining solar water heating, rainwater harvesters or grey water re-cycling systems
• installing and maintaining gas, oil and solid fuel appliances.

Plumbing offers you a rewarding future, a full career path leading to professional qualifications, and good pay. No two days are the same - from changing a tap washer to installing a solar powered hot water system, plumbers work on domestic, commercial and industrial projects that offer variety and challenge.

Qualities you need to be a plumber
Plumbers must have attention to detail. They need the intelligence to work out complex equations, the expertise and flexibility to install different systems, the knowledge to understand how and why different systems work, the ability and initiative to solve problems, a thirst for knowledge of new technology, a creative mind, sound judgment and most importantly professionalism and honesty.

Plumbers use a variety of specialised tools, techniques and materials. They must be able to read blueprints, follow instructions from builders or contractors, plan out work to be done, and be capable and efficient. Computers are being used more and more often to keep track of progress and to make detailed plans, so computer skills are also helpful.

Being a plumber is also a physical job; plumbers have to be prepared to get their hands dirty (repairing toilets and soil pipes!), learn to use many tools and equipment in a safe and proper fashion. They need to be good with their hands, have physical strength, a head for heights, and be willing to fit into small, cramped spaces (under sinks, loft spaces etc).

Plumbers also need to be good with people. They meet customers, usually in their own homes so they must respect people’s property, be polite, have good communication skills and take pride in the high standard of their work, not only for the pride associated with doing a good job but also to protect the public health.

If you want to become a plumber, you’ll need to be healthy and not suffer from medical conditions. Because you’ll frequently use sharp and powered cutting tools, you must not suffer from medical conditions, such as frequent blackouts or dizziness that could endanger yourself or others. You may also work with wiring so you’ll need good colour vision and because you’ll occasionally work at heights you mustn’t suffer from Vertigo. As you may have to travel around locally, a driving license will also be essential.

Becoming qualified
Whatever area of the industry plumbers choose to work in, they must be suitably qualified and need extensive knowledge of the Water Regulations and the Building Regulations. The industry is highly regulated and the proper qualifications are essential to ensure plumbers work lawfully.

The industry entry-level qualification is an NVQ level 2 in Plumbing or in Heating & Ventilation. They are broadly the same, but the Plumbing NVQ is more in-depth and includes lead-work and above ground drainage. Nowadays it’s not uncommon for plumbing firms to put their employees through the Heating & Ventilation NVQ which is slightly shorter and reflects the type of work they do.

Most youngsters entering the industry follow an apprenticeship route, leading to an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification). Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes involving theory and practical training at a college or vocational training provider, plus work based experience working with a plumber. The theory and workshop skills provide the Technical Certificate (part of the NVQ) while the work experience provides evidence of work-place competence in the form of a portfolio. These two things combined comprise the NVQ.

Unfortunately, NVQs and apprenticeships are only available to those in employment or working on-site, so if you are an adult career changer you may need to take an alternative route. To gain employment with a plumbing firm you will need a recognised qualification and be able to prove you have the knowledge and skills to carry out the basic plumbing tasks competently. Although you cannot complete an NVQ until you work for an employer, you can get the Technical Certificate, which proves you have the underpinning knowledge (the theory) and the practical skills developed in the workshop. This is the main bulk of the NVQ and will prove your knowledge and competence to an employer.

Even if you don’t plan to work for an employer i.e. you plan to be your own boss, you should still study for and achieve the Technical Certificate. If you do, you can be certain you’ll learn what you need to know to do the job and to work safely. Then when you get a job or become self employed you can take the NVQ. Some of our courses offer the on-site work experience you will need to get your NVQ and if you want to be qualified and get a job in the industry you should give these very serious consideration.

In addition to the technical certificate and NVQ, you will also need to get your Water Regulations qualification and if you want to work on new buildings you’ll need your site-safety card (known as a CSCS card). You should also seriously consider attaining the Unvented Hot Water Systems qualification, which is a requirement if you plan to do any work on an unvented hot water system, which is now the standard, and if you plan to do any electrical installation work too i.e. putting in an electric shower or lighting or circuits/sockets in kitchens and bathrooms you will need your Part P Defined Scope qualification.

 What industry (and the law) wants
If you want a career as a plumber and work lawfully, you’ll need to get the right qualifications recognised by industry and required by law. Here’s the low-down on what you’ll need:
 

If You Want To:	You Will Need:
Be seen as a qualified plumber	A recognised qualification. The National entry-level standard, recommended by the Sector Skills Council and recognised by employers and industry is the City & Guilds 6089 NVQ Level 2 in Plumbing.
Install or maintain a plumbing system or carry out any work on water fittings that connect to the public (mains) water supply, without getting prior permission from the local water authority	Certificate in The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. Often referred to simply as “Water Regs”
Work on construction and building sites i.e. new housing developments	A CSCS card. This is known as your “Site Safety Card”
Service, commission or install unvented domestic hot water storage systems	To successfully complete a recognised training and assessment programme. For example the CITB Certificated Unvented Domestic Hot Water Systems course
Carry out any electrical work in kitchens, bathrooms or outbuildings (such as putting in an electric shower, a heated towel rail, new lights or even a new socket), without first having to notify Planning Control and then getting another competent person to certificate it	The Defined Scope Part P certificate and membership of a Competent Persons scheme

Install, design or give advice on heating and hot water systems without the need to have someone else certify its safety

Your C&G 6084 Energy Efficiency (or equivalent) qualification

Be able to work on Gas

A recognised NVQ at Level 2 or 3, for example the C&G 6089 (Mechanical Engineering Services) and / or relevant on-site gas experience. You can then apply to take ACS certificates of competence, which are a prerequisite for CORGI registration which you need to be able to work on gas. To get an NVQ you must be working in the industry, and to get the relevant on-site experience to apply to take ACS certificates you’ll also need to work alongside an existing CORGI engineer

What can qualified plumbers earn?
Forget the stories of earning £100,000+ a year. The average plumber employed by a company will earn in the region of £25,000 after a couple of years experience. A self-employed plumber can earn a lot more. What you earn depends on how much time and effort you put in. If you are working 12 hour shifts six or seven days a week of course you will earn a lot more and £70,000 is achievable.

On the other hand, plumbing is a very good trade to learn if you have commitments such as children - if you are a mother doing the school run, or have to be home at a certain time as your partner is still out working, you can fit jobs in around your lifestyle.

What’s Your Future as a Plumber?
Right now there is a significant shortage of qualified plumbers and because of continued building expansion and redevelopment this is an area which requires one of the highest numbers of new workers in the construction sector. Plumbers are also at the forefront of environmentally friendly technologies; designing and installing energy efficient heating systems, low carbon footprint systems like solar water heating and rain water harvesting. As climate change continues to affect us all and the price of energy rises the demand from householders for these systems is expected to rise sharply. So prospects for those entering the plumbing industry are expected to be excellent.

Because plumbing has such a widespread and diverse range of application there are also many opportunities to specialise. For example:

• Pipelayers dig and level trenches and then lay pipes for drainage, sewer, water, or gas systems. The pipes might be made out of cement, plastic, iron, or clay.
• Domestic plumbers are involved in the installation of plumbing fixtures, like sinks and appliances, central heating systems and water heaters, drainage and sewerage work, and small domestic repairs jobs such as leaky taps and pipes.
• Designers, design and may also install complex systems in individual structures from small domestic dwellings to hotels, schools and hospitals.
• Pipefitters work with low and high pressure pipes that are used for commercial purposes, like hydroelectric power plants, factories, or central air conditioning or heating. They install, maintain, and repair all of these systems. In addition, they incorporate automated controls that are being used more and more to keep the systems working properly. There are different types of pipefitters as well.
• Steamfitters are involved in installing pipes that transport materials like gases that are extremely high-pressure.
• Sprinklerfitters put automated sprinkler systems in buildings as part of their fire alarm system.

Many plumbers also progress to consultancy, teaching and management, making the plumbing and heating industry a career with a real future. Once qualified, being a plumber can also be a passport to work all over the world.