I’m just starting my second year on the 6129 level 2 Technical Certificate in Plumbing Studies and I will also be doing the NVQ level 2 at the same time. I’m 28 years old, so you really do still have time on your side.
The Technical Certificate is for anyone who has not been a plumber for approx 5+ years, they simply won’t just let you do an NVQ straight off. The tech cert gives you your core training as a Plumber, there is stuff in there that will take ages to digest if you truly want to be a good Plumber. I recommend the day release, it will be cheaper to take a day off a week that spend £6,000 on one of these courses.
Alot of employers will not take on plumbers who have done a crash course, they don’t recognise it and give it no respect. I certainly wouldn’t take a crash courser on.
The tech cert is done in college and takes about 72 days over two years. The NVQ is solely an onsite evaluation and I plan to complete mine within a 3 month period.
It is possible to work wherever you like whilst doing the tech cert but obviously helps your progression if you are in the plumbing industry as you will pick things up quicker.
I work for Watkins Plumbing in London, and although I still have a few exams to take, I have pretty much been on Plumbers wages since 6 months into the course because I take it seriously, work hard and take pride in my work. I would not have achieved that on a crash course.
My NVQ 2 and Tech cert tuition fees each year were £806 (total £1616) at Bexley College in kent. Thats for both Tech Cert and NVQ. There is a C&G registration fee of £145 also.
My advice, do a day release off your own back, find a big company to take you on at low pay until you prove yourself. Keep your head down and work hard to keep your place.
If you can get a taster of the work before you commit, then do it. I’m not fussed about being covered in crap but some people are.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do, just know it’s not easy at this time and you will have to work very hard.
But, I feel the work is as rewarding as the money; and I wouldn’t want to do anything else.
If you live in London, contact Watkins Plumbing, they seem to be gaining loads of work at this time and they took me on when I’d never held a spanner before. But then i have been extremely fortunate.
I have started a plumbing course that will take me 2 years to complete and I am 31 I in no way feel to old to do this my only concern is will I be able to get work. As I am not going down the traditional apprentice route, lets face it apprenticeships are dead what kid or grown man (i am training whilst working part time) wants to work for a pittance for three years. I agree 20 week course seem like a quick fix but does the plumbing community think that only those who have served there time are the only real plumbers ? are they happy with the longer courses? I Know plumbing is a hands on job and nothing can replace on site knowledge but everyone has to start somewhere.
After that bit of a rant I would say stay away from the 20 weeks stuff and find a decent course that will give you the support and knowledge to start in the plumbing industry
im actually thinking about going down the route of working for somone free for 4 days a week, over the space of a year, to get some on site training ( i understand that this is invaluable and there is no substitute) and build up my nvq 2 portfolio, whilst getting a day release and going to college 1 day a week to do the C and G 6129 part. The only issue is it will take two years to do this. not even sure whether i can get on this years course. Also I would need to find somone willing to take me on! Atl least then I would have both the nvq2 and tech cert 6129 in the bag. In terms of my background/experience, although i have no plumbing experience, as such. I have pretty much ‘grown up’ in a workshop working on vintage cars so know all about getting myself caked in oil/grease! I can already weld, both arc gas and mig, solder, braze, use a lathe and virtually every other tool i can think of. pretty competent at metal and wood work, can use c.a.d. etc etc anyway…. what i am trying to say is that i am not a complete beginner i think my background would at the very least be of some advantage ! I hope!