Become a Plumber in the UK

Working as a plumber in the United Kingdom (UK) can be extremely rewarding. If you enjoy having friendly colleagues, working outside, and seeing the results of your hard work first-hand, this could be the career path for you. Through a combination of education and hands-on experience, you can become a certified plumber and enjoy a lucrative career that sets you on a path of lifelong learning.

Steps

Gaining Education and Skills

  1. Apply for a traineeship to gain education and work experience. If you are aged 16 to 24, qualified below level 3, unemployed with little or no work experience, and eligible to work in England, a traineeship can get you started on the path to becoming a plumber. It typically lasts 6 months, is funded by the government, and provides work placement—although you are not paid a wage.[1]
    • You don't have to study English and math in your traineeship if: you are 19 to 23 and have a General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) at grades A to C (9 to 4) in English, math, and science; or are younger and have achieved the same or a functional skills qualification at Level 2.
    • Find a traineeship here: https://www.gov.uk/find-traineeship.
  2. Take a plumbing course at a college instead of a traineeship. Many colleges across the UK offer 1 to 2 year courses designed to start your career as a plumber and achieve a City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Heating (QCF). Some courses are designed for people with no plumbing experience, while others are designed for people with some experience. Always check that the course is accredited by an awarding body (City and Guilds, EAL and BPEC), which means that the training is up to professional standards. Some colleges that offer accredited programs are:[2]
    • Blackburn College
    • Bishop Auckland College
    • City College Coventry
    • Derby College
    • Harrow College
    • Lowestoft College
    • Isle of Man College
    • Pembrokeshire College
    • West College Scotland
  3. Apply for a membership at the CIPHE for training and assistance. The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is a professional body that offers aspiring plumbers (both working and in school) demonstration videos, learning modules, and technical information, as well as eligibility for bursaries and awards. Many modules have been created in partnership with leading manufacturers in the plumbing industry.[3]

Completing an Apprenticeship

  1. Contact National Careers Service for government-assisted guidance. The National Careers Service website (https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship) is a great resource for finding an apprenticeship if you have no contacts in the field. Select your experience level and the radius from your location for options.
    • Search by job title, description, or employer if you have an idea of where you want to work.
    • If you don't have work experience, take a traineeship to provide you with the necessary experience for an apprenticeship.
  2. Search for apprenticeships using independent resources for additional options. Consider JTL Training (http://www.jtltraining.com) or Building Engineering Services Training (http://www.best-ltd.co.uk), both of which are reputable companies with years of experience in the field and lots of industry connections.[4]
    • Ask family and friends if they know anyone who is looking for a plumber apprentice—you never know what you will find!
    • Look through online classified sites like Craigslist or Kijiji, or contact local companies directly and provide them with a copy of your resume or CV.
    • If you go with an independent trainer, ask if your qualifications will allow you to be a WaterSafe-approved plumber (an SVQ Level 3 in Scotland and NVQ Level 2 in England and Wales)—this certification opens up more job opportunities.[5]
  3. Progress through an apprenticeship for up to 4 years. If you are at least 16, you can apply for an apprenticeship, which lasts up to 4 years depending on how fast you progress. First, you must achieve an NVQ Level 2 Diploma (Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland) through an accredited institution, and then you must complete the Advanced Apprenticeship to gain the NVQ Level 3 Diploma.[6]
    • Check your local colleges for apprenticeship requirements—most require 4 GCSEs at a grade of C or higher.
    • Prepare to attend an interview prior to enrollment—they will ask you about your experiences, the challenges you have faced, and your plans for the future.

Getting a Plumbing Job

  1. Register with a professional body and post your resume. After registering with the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), you can request to have your details displayed in the "Work Experience" area, where trainees seeking employers are listed for potential work. You will need to provide your full name and address, your telephone number and email address, the qualifications you have achieved and/or are working towards, your membership number, and a 50-word summary explaining why employers should hire you.
    • Other professional bodies are the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC), the Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation (SNIPEF), Council of Registered Gas Installers (CORGI), and the FairTrades Plumbers' Association.
    • Submit applications for each professional body on their official website. You can join multiple professional bodies if you'd like.
  2. Look for plumbing jobs in your area. Once you have completed training and reached S/NVQ Level 3—which will likely take about 3 years—you can begin applying for jobs. Take advantage of any contacts you have made through your apprenticeship and education and ask about openings. Qualified plumbers are always in demand—keep putting yourself out there.
  3. Consider moving to Australia for a plumbing job if you can't find UK employment. As of August 2018, Australia has a shortage of plumbers and is looking for qualified UK professionals. To get a job in the country, you must obtain a work Visa through the Skilled Migration Programme or Working Holiday Visa Programme.
    • Visit the Visa Bureau for application requirements and procedures.
  4. Take note of the different expectations of domestic and commercial jobs. While domestic home plumbing only supports a few people, commercial plumbing accommodates many floors and thus more people. Take note of the different equipment you work with across each. For example, commercial building will utilize industrial-grade boilers and pipes, while residential building and homes will use smaller appliances.[7]
    • Pay attention to the drawings and plans and note differences and similarities.
    • Take note of additional services commonly required or requested in each industry. For example, if you notice businesses regularly ask you to conduct gas work, consider a course on gas units.
  5. Develop your plumbing skills with additional training. If you want to apply for different jobs, take training courses in gas engineering, energy efficiency, and domestic hot water storage. For example, if you want to work with domestic gas heating systems, you need experience with gas-related units at level 3.[8]

Tips

  • Work hard! This is a tough profession, but if you enjoy it, it's worth it!
  • Turn up on time. Not only do employer's hate lateness, it could cost you your job.
  • Have an open mind and absorb as much information as you can—it will help you become a better and more knowledgeable plumber

References

  1. ↑ https://www.gov.uk/find-traineeship
  2. ↑ https://copperplumbing.org.uk/education/plumbing-colleges
  3. ↑ https://www.ciphe.org.uk/globalassets/guidance-for-parents.pdf
  4. ↑ https://www.ciphe.org.uk/globalassets/guidance-for-parents.pdf
  5. ↑ https://www.watersafe.org.uk/advice/howtobecomeaplumber/
  6. ↑ https://www.ciphe.org.uk/globalassets/guidance-for-parents.pdf
  7. ↑ https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/knowledge/articles/2018/06/a-guide-to-starting-a-plumbing-business/
  8. ↑ https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/plumber

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