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Plumbing – Level 1

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Plumbing
Courses Code
QF1COPL
Study method
Full Time
Location(s)
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  • Is this course for you?

    As a plumber no two days are ever the same, installing a central heating system one day then the next you may be fitting a bathroom suite. A qualified plumber can expect to earn between £24,000 to £40,000 per year depending on experience. The aim of the plumbing courses is to develop the practical skills and knowledge required to become a competent and employable plumber. The courses consist of practical and theoretical elements and both parts of the course need to be successfully completed to achieve the qualification. Practical learning is delivered in “real work” situations and you will be trained to use the tools a professional plumber would use on site. The theory tests are based on current plumbing legislation and are a vital part of the training. The college will reinforce the values expected within the plumbing industry to give learners the skills to be successful in both work and life.

  • Required qualifications

    To be accepted onto the plumbing courses you must meet the following criteria:

    Grade 2 or above GCSE in maths and English

  • What skills will I develop?

    As a plumber, you may be working on new build sites or possibly in customer’s homes.

    On new builds, a plumber will work alongside other trades and construction professionals, work from drawings, install plumbing components and pipe it all up, and finally the commissioning and testing. This will teach you what other trades do and how this links to the career of your choice. You will also learn how to interpret drawings, understand written and verbal instructions and work as part of a team. Modern buildings tend to use plastic push-fit pipes and fittings, but there is still a need for traditional bending and jointing methods with copper tube when installing gas pipes and connecting appliances up. The commissioning process will learn you to read manufacturer’s instructions and fill in relevant certificates to say what you have installed is safe and working correctly.

    When working in customer’s homes, some of the same applies as in new build, but there are extra things to consider. Customer’s homes are usually decorated, have carpets and may have breakable belongings which need to be protected. By using dust sheets, removing those breakable items and taking your time a little, it goes along way. Also, customers are people, and a successful plumber is one who communicates well and shows respect to them and acts professional and safe.

  • Careers

    Once you have completed a plumbing course, there are lots of options within plumbing or further career enhancement.

    There is the apprenticeship route to gain the full qualification. This usually includes the gas element, which allows you to join the Gas Safe Register and be competent to work on gas installations. There are also many new exciting renewable technologies being developed and this is a great time to be in the plumbing industry.

    It does not have to stop there. Some plumbers venture out into other careers which may include:

    • Supervisory and management
    • Building service engineering
    • Surveying
    • Teaching and assessing
    • Technical support

    Most of the above started their careers as trainee plumbers

  • Work experience

    Our dedicated Work Experience team are here to help and support you in finding a meaningful work experience opportunity.
    Recent studies have shown that employers consider work experience to be extremely desirable. Whilst qualifications are hugely important, employers also require candidates to have skills and experience necessary for the workplace.

    Preparing you for the working world is very important to us, so that you may be successful in your next step.

    Work experience placements provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills; have a better understanding of the industry you want to work in and give you an insight into what it is like to be employed. They can also be great fun and very rewarding and you may even be offered a great reference, a part–time job, holiday working hours, apprenticeships or full-time jobs.

    Once you start your course you will be provided with further information about work experience programmes, but it is never too early for you to start thinking about work experience placements and finding an employer who will offer you an opportunity.

    Work experience is an opportunity for you to gain experience in your chosen career path in order to develop relevant skills. Equally, it also helps you to acquire employability skills, attitudes and behaviours that are essential for future employment. There will be an opportunity for you to reflect on your performance during work experience and you will receive some form of reference/feedback from the employer.

  • English and maths

    Whilst studying at South Staffordshire College, you will be given the opportunity to improve your Maths and English skills. This is done through either Functional Skills Courses, or, by undertaking a GCSE Qualification. We have a great team of Maths and English teachers working alongside the main course tutors.

    The course requirements for each level have a range of Maths and English requirements, and we have course available for learners who are currently working at any level.
    For a level 2 course, the general requirements are for learners to have achieved, or be working close to, a Grade 4 GCSE in Maths and English. But the level 1 course can accommodate learners who are working at a lower level at the start of their learning journey. This gives these learners the opportunity to study Plumbing whilst improving the essential Maths and English skills that the industry requires.

    Maths and English skills are critical within the modern Plumbing industry, and these skills are employed by plumbers and heating engineers throughout their working days. Sharpening these skills allows plumbers to work effectively, efficiently and safely. Good Maths and English skills are an essential part of a modern Plumbers toolkit.

  • Other important information

    All students are always required to purchase protective overalls and toe-protective footwear to be worn in the workshop for Health and Safety also in readiness for their work experience and to also replicate construction site operating conditions. We would also expect the purchase of basic equipment such as pens and notebooks for note taking in practical and theory sessions. Support could be provided through bursary should this be required based on individual needs. A plumbing technical reference book would be an advantage to your individual learning. Our friendly members of the team will be happy to help.

  • Is this course for you?

    As a plumber no two days are ever the same, installing a central heating system one day then the next you may be fitting a bathroom suite. A qualified plumber can expect to earn between £24,000 to £40,000 per year depending on experience. The aim of the plumbing courses is to develop the practical skills and knowledge required to become a competent and employable plumber. The courses consist of practical and theoretical elements and both parts of the course need to be successfully completed to achieve the qualification. Practical learning is delivered in “real work” situations and you will be trained to use the tools a professional plumber would use on site. The theory tests are based on current plumbing legislation and are a vital part of the training. The college will reinforce the values expected within the plumbing industry to give learners the skills to be successful in both work and life.

  • Required qualifications

    To be accepted onto the plumbing courses you must meet the following criteria:

    Grade 2 or above GCSE in maths and English

  • What skills will I develop?

    As a plumber, you may be working on new build sites or possibly in customer’s homes.

    On new builds, a plumber will work alongside other trades and construction professionals, work from drawings, install plumbing components and pipe it all up, and finally the commissioning and testing. This will teach you what other trades do and how this links to the career of your choice. You will also learn how to interpret drawings, understand written and verbal instructions and work as part of a team. Modern buildings tend to use plastic push-fit pipes and fittings, but there is still a need for traditional bending and jointing methods with copper tube when installing gas pipes and connecting appliances up. The commissioning process will learn you to read manufacturer’s instructions and fill in relevant certificates to say what you have installed is safe and working correctly.

    When working in customer’s homes, some of the same applies as in new build, but there are extra things to consider. Customer’s homes are usually decorated, have carpets and may have breakable belongings which need to be protected. By using dust sheets, removing those breakable items and taking your time a little, it goes along way. Also, customers are people, and a successful plumber is one who communicates well and shows respect to them and acts professional and safe.

  • Careers

    Once you have completed a plumbing course, there are lots of options within plumbing or further career enhancement.

    There is the apprenticeship route to gain the full qualification. This usually includes the gas element, which allows you to join the Gas Safe Register and be competent to work on gas installations. There are also many new exciting renewable technologies being developed and this is a great time to be in the plumbing industry.

    It does not have to stop there. Some plumbers venture out into other careers which may include:

    • Supervisory and management
    • Building service engineering
    • Surveying
    • Teaching and assessing
    • Technical support

    Most of the above started their careers as trainee plumbers

  • Work experience

    Our dedicated Work Experience team are here to help and support you in finding a meaningful work experience opportunity.
    Recent studies have shown that employers consider work experience to be extremely desirable. Whilst qualifications are hugely important, employers also require candidates to have skills and experience necessary for the workplace.

    Preparing you for the working world is very important to us, so that you may be successful in your next step.

    Work experience placements provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills; have a better understanding of the industry you want to work in and give you an insight into what it is like to be employed. They can also be great fun and very rewarding and you may even be offered a great reference, a part–time job, holiday working hours, apprenticeships or full-time jobs.

    Once you start your course you will be provided with further information about work experience programmes, but it is never too early for you to start thinking about work experience placements and finding an employer who will offer you an opportunity.

    Work experience is an opportunity for you to gain experience in your chosen career path in order to develop relevant skills. Equally, it also helps you to acquire employability skills, attitudes and behaviours that are essential for future employment. There will be an opportunity for you to reflect on your performance during work experience and you will receive some form of reference/feedback from the employer.

  • English and maths

    Whilst studying at South Staffordshire College, you will be given the opportunity to improve your Maths and English skills. This is done through either Functional Skills Courses, or, by undertaking a GCSE Qualification. We have a great team of Maths and English teachers working alongside the main course tutors.

    The course requirements for each level have a range of Maths and English requirements, and we have course available for learners who are currently working at any level.
    For a level 2 course, the general requirements are for learners to have achieved, or be working close to, a Grade 4 GCSE in Maths and English. But the level 1 course can accommodate learners who are working at a lower level at the start of their learning journey. This gives these learners the opportunity to study Plumbing whilst improving the essential Maths and English skills that the industry requires.

    Maths and English skills are critical within the modern Plumbing industry, and these skills are employed by plumbers and heating engineers throughout their working days. Sharpening these skills allows plumbers to work effectively, efficiently and safely. Good Maths and English skills are an essential part of a modern Plumbers toolkit.

  • Other important information

    All students are always required to purchase protective overalls and toe-protective footwear to be worn in the workshop for Health and Safety also in readiness for their work experience and to also replicate construction site operating conditions. We would also expect the purchase of basic equipment such as pens and notebooks for note taking in practical and theory sessions. Support could be provided through bursary should this be required based on individual needs. A plumbing technical reference book would be an advantage to your individual learning. Our friendly members of the team will be happy to help.

Apply for a course

  • Level 1 Plumbing

    Rodbaston College

    Start Date: September

    Code: QRF1COPL

    Full Time: 35 Weeks

    Day(s): Usually 3-4 days per week