Becoming a plumber and building a plumbing career

Plumbers keep water, heating and drainage working in homes, hospitals, schools and offices. It is skilled, practical work with several ways in.

These notes explain the main ways into the trade and the next steps once you are qualified. They draw on the National Careers Service, Go Construct and the bodies that register plumbing and gas work.

What the work involves

Plumbers install and repair hot and cold water, heating and drainage. They cut, shape and join pipes and fittings. Many service central heating systems and radiators, and some respond to emergency call-outs.

The work can be in a customer's home, a business or on a building site. It is often hands-on, sometimes at height and sometimes in tight spaces. Good customer service, care over detail and some maths all help.

Starting with a college course

You could take a college course in plumbing studies or plumbing and domestic heating, then look for a trainee job with a plumbing firm. The T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction is another route. Entry needs vary by course.

Starting with an apprenticeship

An apprentice is an employee who earns a wage while training. At least 20% of your working hours go on training and study.

The Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician apprenticeship is at level 3 and typically takes 48 months. It has options in gas heating, heat pumps and solar thermal, and non-domestic plumbing for places like hospitals and schools. A level 2 foundation apprenticeship in building services engineering can be a first step for younger starters. You can search for vacancies on the GOV.UK Find an apprenticeship service.

Starting on the job

Some people start as a plumber's mate or assistant and train while they work. GCSEs in English and maths, and practical skills, help with this route. People with experience in building services or heating and ventilation may be able to apply directly.

To train or work on a construction site, you will usually need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.

Registrations that open up work

Anyone paid to work on gas appliances in homes must be on the Gas Safe Register and competent in that type of gas work.
WaterSafe is a national register of approved plumbers. It advises that a qualified plumber holds at least an NVQ Level 2 in plumbing, or an equivalent, plus a Water Fittings Regulations qualification. Approved contractors can do some work without telling the water supplier first.
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering is the professional body for the trade, with trainee and full membership.

Where a plumbing career can lead

With experience, plumbers can train as heat pump engineers or move into ventilation, air conditioning and solar heating. OFTEC runs a scheme for oil and renewable heating technicians. Others become master plumbers, move into building services engineering, or teach apprentices at a college or training centre.