Plumbing – A career to shape a better world

Plumbing is a very rewarding career as it holds the backbone of our infrastructure. Trade roles require entrepreneurship, complex technical skills and knowledge, and can be very rewarding. Alongside this, there are a number of other benefits too, these include:

• Job security

  Due to increasing demand, plumbers will always be needed. We have seen consistent and continuous growth in new build constructions, home renovations and extensions over the last 5 years and it is anticipated that this trend will continue to grow.

• Career progression

  There are many avenues to explore and areas to build your expertise in. These range from a domestic plumber to an underfloor heating specialist or a commercial plumbing and heating contractor.

• A rewarding career

  Plumbers are integral to society. As we mentioned earlier, they are responsible for providing water sanitation, protecting the general public from waterborne diseases and scalds and keeping people warm during winter months.

• Little to no student debt

  Vocational training is more affordable in comparison to getting a degree. For example, UK students can expect to pay £27,000 in tuition fees over the course of their degree, whereas the fees for vocational training can be fully covered, depending on the programme.

Whether you have just finished school or looking for a career change, there are a number of ways to make an entry in this profession.

The government is introducing a major expansion of post-18 education and training to offer more opportunities for aspiring plumbers to up-skill or re-train. So even if you don’t have the relevant qualifications, you may be able to access a free, fully-funded college course. For those looking to make a career change, this initiative is a great way to kickstart your journey as a plumber.

Here we have listed some ways that can help you to make a start in this trade. You can find even more information on how to become a plumber on this National Careers Service page.

Intermediate and advanced apprenticeships in plumbing and heating are a great way to get invaluable, hands-on experience. They are also a great opportunity to work alongside seasoned tradesmen, learn the tricks of the trade, and eventually become an insider.

Apprenticeships can take up to four years, and you will need GCSEs in English and Math’s. For an advanced apprenticeship, you will need 5 GCSEs between grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).

Another way to become a plumber is to get Level 2 and 3 Diplomas in Plumbing and Domestic Heating. There are more than 100 colleges in the UK offering plumbing courses, and you can find out more about these on the Access Training Academies website.

A diploma will teach you the key skills needed for the job, which will support your application for a trainee position in a plumbing company.

Night schools and distance learning are flexible options for those who want to study while working full time as a trainee.

These options give you the opportunity to apply theory into practical skills for getting a better and clearer understanding of how the different systems work in real life. You also get a chance to develop confidence and soft skills to deal with customers.

While learning the skills through apprenticeships and college helps, new tradesmen, can also take professional advice and guidance from manufacturers.

For example, at RWC we are committed to helping new plumbing & heating professionals to build up their confidence. Our technical experts who are also experienced plumbers by trade can provide face-to-face on-site support, best practice guidance and hands-on training where required.