Wondering how to become a plumber? You might be thinking – ‘where do I start?’ or ‘which course is best for me?’. At The Trades College, we’re here to help. We have all of the right courses to get you into your desired industry.
What type of qualifications do you need to become a plumber?
There are various vocational courses available within plumbing but what qualifications do you actually need? The qualifications and experience you have will influence your salary, therefore, your salary will grow over time as you learn more skills. You’ll need National Vocational Qualifications to become a qualified plumber who is certified to carry out this type of work (initially at Level 2, but you can continue to complete a Level 3 Diploma if you wish).
Which plumbing course should you do?
You’ll need the right qualifications to prove that you’re capable of doing the job. Initially, you’ll need GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in Mathematics, English Language, and Science. From here, you can choose between various plumbing courses and apprenticeships which will provide you with different qualification levels. For example, you could complete a 4-year apprenticeship and achieve a Certificate III in Plumbing, which will allow you to work in the industry.
Not sure you want to spend 4 years training? There are various BTECs and Diplomas which will allow you to start your career as a plumber. For example, at 16 you could study for your EAL Level 2 Intermediate Diploma in plumbing, which only takes one year to complete. An EAL is a form of NVQ. You can then progress onto achieving your EAL Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Plumbing, which will take an additional year to complete.
Which plumbing course should you do?
You might choose to specialise in a particular area of plumbing, for example, pipe fitting, management, or even business ownership. An option could be to complete additional courses in these specific areas to broaden your knowledge and skill set. You could even do a HND (Higher National Diploma) or a degree to become an engineer.
Experience is an important part of any vocational qualification – you need to be able to put your skills into practice. That’s why, at The Trades College, we assess various courses to make sure you find one which will provide you with the best experience to learn practical skills.
Can you continue to work while training for your plumbing qualifications?
It’s important that you’re able to kickstart your desired career no matter what your current working situation is. Our training is designed to fit around your circumstances, allowing you to become qualified at your own pace. For a lot of people, they will need to work alongside their course in order to provide the necessary funding.
We’d be happy to discuss your personal circumstances with you to assure you that a plumbing course is possible for you, as well as providing you with your options when it comes to choosing a course. Whether you’re just out of school or are wanting a career change later in life, the right course is out there for you.
How do you begin your plumbing course?
Excited to jump straight into training for your new career? We bet you have so many hidden talents waiting to be revealed! The first stage is to choose the right plumbing course for you – this could depend on your current job, personal circumstances, and what you want to get out of your plumbing course. Once you’ve decided on the right course, your qualification journey begins!
Need help deciding which course to complete? That’s what we’re here for! At The Trades College, we can help provide you with the best courses – tailored to your personal needs! Feel free to visit our website to find out more about our plumbing courses, or get in touch with us to discuss your options.
