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Plumbing apprenticeship
In just 2 years you could be a qualified Plumber, able to earn over £25,000 a year and have a trade for life!
Course structure
| Course length | 2 years |
| College time | 1 week in every 4, Mon – Fri 8:45am to 4:30pm |
| College venues | Southampton |
| Intakes start | September, January and April |
| Outcomes | C&G 6129 Technical Certificate level 2 Basic Plumbing Studies C&G 6089 NVQ level 2 in Mechanical Engineering Services, Plumbing (Domestic) BPEC certificated Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Certificate in First Aid CSCS Site Safety card |
Fees
None (as long as you are between 16 and 18 years old and qualify within 3 years). If you are over 18 your employer may need to make some contribution towards your training. Please contact the college for more information. If your employer doesn’t provide them, you will need to buy yourself classroom study tools, suitable work-wear, tools to use on-site and codes of practice.
Entry requirements
- Three GCSEs at grade C or better in three subjects, including Maths and English.
- Must have a plumber or plumbing company willing to employ you.
- Pass a selection test and interview.
Course overview
The Plumbing and Heating NVQ is designed and developed by close cooperation between the plumbing industry, City and Guilds, Summit Skills and the Health and Safety Executive. These groups get together and agree what new entrants need to learn and to what standard. What you will study and the standard you have to reach has been prescribed by these groups. The Plumbing and Heating NVQ is divided into ‘units’ of competence, which cover all aspects of work required by a Plumber.
To achieve your NVQ you will follow a prescribed course of study and assessments, which consists of classroom-based activities (theory sessions plus written tests and assessments), workshop activities (practical exercises and assessments) and on-the-job training and assessment. At the outset of the course you will be provided with a scheme of work which gives you a complete breakdown of what you will study in each lesson for the whole of your course. It covers the following broad areas:
- Safe procedures and working practices
- Working at heights
- Lifting and handling
- Maintaining effective working relationships
- Regulations in the plumbing industry
- Installing plumbing and heating systems and components
- Commissioning and de-commissioning plumbing systems
- Fault finding and rectification
In each year of your course you will attend the college for 24 one-week blocks of 34 hours a week and the rest of the time you will work with your employer on site. While at college you will cover a range of practical and theory sessions according to the course syllabus. Your work will be assessed internally by the college and through external tests. While at work you will receive on-the-job training, gaining valuable experience which will help you build a portfolio of your work necessary to achieve your NVQ.
During the first two years you will complete the City and Guilds 6129 Technical Certificate level 2 Basic Plumbing Studies and the C&G 6089 NVQ level 2 in Mechanical Engineering Services – Plumbing (Domestic). During years 1 and 2 you may also study key skills which include communication skills, application of number and ICT. In addition to this you will get your BPEC certificated Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.
Progression and more information
Upon completion of the second year you can apply for an additional third year, which encompasses the NVQ level 3 with more complex units such as:
- Plan plumbing and heating activities
- Install complex heating systems (gas)
- Commission and de-commission systems
- Apply system design principles
- Gas appliance installation and servicing
More information
For more information about what plumbers do and progression routes click here
