want to become a plumber? read this!

How to Become a Plumber

There are a few different routes to becoming a qualified plumber depending on your age and experience. It normally takes years to become qualified but there are fast track courses.  You don’t necessarily need qualifications to do some plumbing jobs but if you want to work for a company you will definitely need some formal qualifications. From 2010 anyone working on a building site will need an NVQ in their trade. There are also a number of useful plumbing books out there but I will cover them in a later post. The best way to gain skills and experience is through training and working with an experienced plumber.  If you want to know how to become a plumber, keep reading and we will go through the different approaches you can take:

Plumbing Apprenticeships

A Plumber apprenticeship is the traditional way to become a plumber . They normally last 4 years and your time will be spent between your local training college and out on the job working with an experienced plumber. You will also get to know a lot of other tradesmen in this time so it is a great opportunity to build up a network. During the course of the plumbing apprenticeship you will normally get paid a basic wage of around £90 although often it will be more than this. At the end you will have an NVQ/SNVQ level 3.

There are no formal entry requirements to get on an apprenticeship but often you will have to sit an aptitude test and some require 4 GCSE’s. If you are over 25 years of age you will probably find it hard to get on a scheme. The places are limited and the competition is intense. Plumbing Apprenticeships in London have even more competition.

For further advise you can call the Apprenticeships helpline on and advice on how to become a plumber 08000 150 600.

Courses for the Inexperienced Adult – How To Become a Plumber from Scratch.

To become ‘fully qualified’ you will need to do the Technical certificates and then NVQ 2 & 3. If you are not currently working in plumbing you will need to gain the following:

• City & Guilds (6129) Technical Certificates Level 2 Basic Plumbing Studies and Level 3 Plumbing Studies.
• City & Guilds (6089) NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Mechanical Engineering Services – Plumbing (Domestic).

The NVQ 3 Includes

• Water Regulations
• Unvented Hot Water Systems
• ACS gas safety for Gas Safe Register (formerly CORGI Registration) approval.

The ACS assessments that you do to get on the gas safe register for commercial and domestic gas are different so keep that in mind if you plan to work in either or both areas!

This guide on how to become a plumber will continue in part 2 covering those working as unqualified plumbers, fast track courses and sponsorship and grants. Click here for part 2