Plumbing - all you need to know to start a new career!
Why become a plumber?
Plumbers are essential - every time you make yourself a drink, wash yourself or turn on the heating you use equipment installed by a plumber. Without plumbers, day-to-day life would be considerably less comfortable, and possibly dangerous to your health!
In addition to always being needed in society, as a plumber you can run your own business, and move into areas like computer aided design and consultancy.
Which skills do I need to be a plumber?
You'll need to be fit, have a head for heights and able to work in cramped conditions. You'll also need to be able to understand complex systems, and be good at maths, science and problem solving.
How do I train as a plumber?
To be considered a qualified plumber, SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for building services engineering, recommends you get the City and Guilds NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Mechanical Engineering Services: Plumbing (Domestic). Level 3 gives you more employment options and is the professional bodies' preferred level. You need to be employed or on a work placement to get the NVQ. You can also enter plumbing via an apprenticeship.
You also need to get a technical certificate, which is theory-based. But you need the NVQ to be fully qualified. However, doing the technical certificate on its own could give you a head start and increase your chances of being taken on by an employer.
How long does it take to train?
It can take around three years to reach NVQ Level 3. There are intensive courses out there, but professional bodies recommend you do the training over a period of years, so you have time to apply your skills in practical situations.
Some training providers also offer home study options but you'll still need to be employed or on a work placement to get the practical experience you need for the NVQ.
With any training provider, the main thing is to check they are industry-recognised and accredited. You can check this on the City & Guilds website.
Is there still a shortage of plumbers?
Around the turn of the millennium there was certainly a shortage, as more young people went into higher education instead of training in the trades. But press reports of high salaries led many new plumbers to come into the market.
So whilst there isn't such a shortage anymore, there is still a skills gap. This is because not all of these new plumbers took the industry recommended NVQ Level 2 or 3. So if you're prepared to put in the hours to become fully qualified, opportunities are still very good.
What's the advantage of becoming fully qualified?
If you're fully qualified you're more likely to be recruited onto high-profile construction projects. You'll also have more opportunities to progress into other areas later on, such as contract management, consultancy, estimating and training.
How much can I earn?
Press reports have quoted large salaries, but usually these are only possible if you're self-employed and work long hours.
Starting salaries are between £16,500 and £21,000. The average salary for an experienced self-employed plumber is £30,000 - £40,000.
Where can I find out more?
Read more about the job on our plumber job profile. You can also find out your route into plumbing by calling the Summit Skills Careers Advice Line on 08000 688336.
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