How to get on a plumber apprenticeship scheme in the UK

Plumbing Apprenticeship Schemes

If you're thinking if plumbing is a career for you then you should know by now that plumbing is a very rewarding career for those that choose it.

Being a plumber is a very rewarding career financially and (once fully trained) one of the true ‘jobs for life’ that are left.

It also gives you options. For example you could become employed for a plumbing company, you could do contract work on large projects or become self employed and be your own boss! And because of the high demand for plumbing skills you could even emigrate to more sunnier climes!
And once you're qualified nobody can take that away from you.

So you're sold, you want to be a plumber, but how do you go about becoming one?

Well, one option (and probably the best one if you're just out of school) is a Plumbing Apprenticeship. An apprenticeship is the traditional way in which people would learn their craft whether they are plumbers, carpenters, electricians etc...

An apprenticeship would usually last up to 4 years, during which your time is spent between the classroom of your local training college where you would learn the technical theory of plumbing and out on the job where you would work alongside an experienced plumber being shown a lifetimes worth of practical knowledge that cannot be taught with a textbook.

Along as being taught the practical skills, being around an experienced plumber for this length of time you will get to know a network of tradesmen and construction workers that makes getting work that much easier. During the course of your Apprenticeship you would be paid a basic salary of at least £95 per week (often more that this).

At the end of your apprenticeship you would be a fully experienced plumber and have an NVQ Level 3 to show for it.

How to get on an Apprenticeship Scheme?

There are no formal entry qualifications to start an apprenticeship, but if you are over the age of 25 you may struggle to get on an apprenticeship scheme). There are a limited number of spaces per year and competition for them is fierce.

A good Idea is to ring your local plumbing firms (or even your local plumber) and ask if they would be interested in taking on an apprentice, you may get lucky!

To find out more about Plumbing Apprenticeships, including how to apply, call the government’s free national Apprenticeships help line.

• Apprenticeships help line: 08000 150 600

Alternatively, visit the Apprenticeships web site. You can get further information and request an information pack.
http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/

Good Luck!

If you find you cannot get on an apprenticeship scheme for one reason or another you have other options; you could consider an intensive plumbing training course: plumbing courses which are available throughout the UK.