Plumber
The Work
Plumbers install, maintain and repair hot and cold water supplies, sanitation and waste disposal systems, and oil, gas and solid fuel appliances and central heating. In industrial buildings and offices, plumbers also work on other piped services, such as air-conditioning and extraction systems. Outside buildings, they make weather-proofing joints in roofs and walls using sheet metals and other materials, and install gutters and drainpipes.
The work involves a wide variety of skills, tools and materials, many of which are used in specialised plumbing work in the chemical, ship and gas fitting industries. Plumbers may have to make decisions about the design of plumbing systems on smaller contracts, and all work must comply with regulations. They assemble a great deal of the plumbing in on-site workshops, so that work in the buildings themselves is kept to a minimum.
Hours and Conditions
Working hours vary, with out of hours work at weekends or in the evening frequently required.
Plumbers work both indoors and outdoors, sometimes in cold, wet or dirty conditions and in cramped and uncomfortable positions under floorboards or at heights, fixing guttering or flashings. Travel from site to site is usually required, sometimes throughout the country, and this may mean staying away from home for short or long periods.
Skills and Interests
To be a plumber you should:
Training
If you are already employed within the industry without qualifications,
you can work directly towards City & Guilds (6089) Level 2 and
3 NVQ / SVQ in Plumbing. As well as assessing your practical skills,
the NVQ will incorporate the technical knowledge-based certificates.
The NVQ / SVQ is normally available on a part-time or day-release basis through colleges and training centres.
Foundation and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (MAPPs) may be available for people aged 16-24. For details see:
MAPPs
(England)
Skillseekers
(Scotland)
National
Traineeships MAPPs (Wales) and
MAPPs
(Northern Ireland)
Mature apprenticeship schemes for existing employees over 25 are being developed. For details of local provision, contact local colleges and training centres. Employers looking for details of how to set up mature apprenticeship schemes should contact their Local Learning and Skills Council.
Once you have gained the NVQ Level 3 in Plumbing, you can undergo assessment for ACS gas safety leading to CORGI registration; assessment on water regulations; and assessment on unvented hot water systems to indicate competence for building regulations.
Once qualified as a plumber you can continue training to reach NVQ / SVQ level 4 or 5. You can also take qualifications in related subjects, such as welding or electrical installation, including NVQs / SVQs.
Plumbers who are taking a recognised qualification can become trainee members of the Institute of Plumbing. Qualified plumbers can apply for full membership. The Institute also has information on its website for people looking to train as plumbers. See contacts below.
For existing plumbers and new entrants, the British Plumbing Employers' Council (BPEC) offer a variety of training resources including ACS assessment preparation, NVQ learning support modules and practical business guides. Contact BPEC for details.
From April 2005 stringent controls on the energy efficiency of domestic boilers are being introduced through Building Regulations. To meet these new standards the Energy Saving Trust, in conjunction with local Learning and Skills Councils and partners, are providing one-day training and assessment workshops for gas installers, plumbers and domestic heating engineers. The workshops lead to the City & Guilds Certificate in Energy Efficiency for Domestic Heating. At the moment the award is a voluntary qualification. For details see Further Information below.
Some service engineers may also install, service and repair oil-fired equipment, such as heating systems and cookers. Training to work with oil-fired equipment follows the Oil Firing Technical Association for the Petroleum Industry’s (OFTEC) training and accreditation scheme, contact OFTEC for more information (see further information).
Opportunities
Plumbers may work for plumbing or mechanical engineering services contractors, which range from small businesses to larger companies, and also building contractors and public sector bodies such as local authorities. In the ship, chemical and gas industries, plumbers work for specialist contractors, or directly for companies. Plumbers may transfer into the heating, ventilation, refrigeration, electrical and air-conditioning industries or run their own specialised sections in larger companies. There may be opportunities to work abroad on contracts, and many opt for self-employment.
Higher level NVQs in Building Services are available for those intending to progress to estimating, design or management.
Salary
The figures below are intended as a guideline only.
Income for plumbers is in accordance with nationally agreed rates.
Trainee plumbers earn between £12,000 and £15,000 a year.
Qualified plumbers earn around £18,500+ a year.
Experienced plumbers can earn from £22,500 upwards a year.
Self-employed plumbers may have higher earnings.
Further Information
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Summit Skills
Tel: 08000 688 336
www.summitskills.org.uk
British Plumbing Employers' Council (BPEC)
Tel: 024 7647 0626
www.bpec.org.uk
The Institute of Plumbing
Tel: 01708 472791
www.plumbers.org.uk
Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation
Tel: 0131 225 2255
www.snipef.org.uk
Energy Saving Trust
Tel: 08080 100222
www.est.org.uk
Oil Firing Technical Association for the Petroleum Industry (OFTEC)
Tel: 0845 6585080
www.oftec.co.uk
