Plumber

Plumbers install, repair and maintain the water supply, drainage and central heating in houses and other locations. They use a variety of tools to carry out their work.

Work activities

Plumbers install, maintain and repair hot and cold-water systems, sanitary services, heating systems, and pipework and controls for gas supply. They may also apply weather proofing to roofs.

Plumbers work in a variety of locations including houses, industrial and commercial buildings, ships and aeroplanes. They use a variety of hand and power tools including wrenches, spanners, saws, cutters and welding gear. They cut, bend, join and fix materials such as lead, copper, aluminium, plastic, zinc and iron. Installation work includes things like central heating systems and their controls and pipework, drainage systems and large refrigeration systems for industry.

When the equipment has been installed, the plumber tests it to make sure that it is working efficiently and safely. Maintenance and repair work includes routine servicing and emergency repairs. Repair work involves finding faults, replacing or repairing damaged parts, carrying out tests and making sure that the system works properly.

Plumbers may be called out at short notice to do emergency repairs, especially in winter if pipes freeze.

Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.

Personal qualities and skills

As a plumber, you’ll need:

• Good practical skills.
• To work carefully, following specifications and often interpreting plans and drawings.
• Good people skills, as you will often meet customers in their own homes.
• To be physically fit, as the work involves a lot of bending, kneeling and working in cramped and awkward spaces.
• Awareness of the importance of health and safety in this industry.
• To be comfortable working at heights.
• Plumbers use sharp and powered cutting tools, so you must not suffer from medical conditions, such as frequent blackouts or dizziness, that could be a danger to yourself or others.

As you may have to travel around locally, a driving licence would be useful for this work.

This job might not be suitable for people who have skin conditions, such as eczema, or breathing complaints, such as asthma.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Plumbers start on around £15,000 per year, but with experience this could rise to as much as £40,000.

Plumbers work a 37-40-hour week. Overtime, including evenings and Saturday working, may be available.

Employers are plumbing contractors and firms specialising in heating or drainage. Opportunities for plumbers occur with plumbing contractors in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Self-employment opportunities occur for experienced plumbers to work as self-employed contractors.

What’s happening in this work area?

Construction is an industry dominated by small firms. Employment levels are projected to grow steadily, as there is an urgent need for more housing over the coming decades. The construction industry is one of the most male dominated industries. Women account for only one in 10 of all jobs. The industry is actively trying to change this. Full-time working remains the main method of working.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

An advanced apprenticeship in the role of plumbing and domestic heating technician is a great place to start. Apprenticeships will usually involve work- and college-based training. You will also receive training in subjects like health and safety.

There are also various relevant qualifications available from organisations like City & Guilds and Edexcel. These courses may be in a more general subject area, such as construction.

Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS): For most building companies, you’ll need a CSCS card to work on site. These cards show that you are qualified to do the work you’ve been employed for. Go to the CSCS website for more details. If you take an apprenticeship or other similar training course, you will gain this as part of your programme.

In the construction industry, it is possible to work up from craft-level positions to managerial roles, such as construction site manager.

Qualifications

If you wish to enter this career through an advanced apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although if you don’t have these you may be able to gain them as part of your course.

To enter a City & Guilds or Edexcel level 2 course in construction, you’ll usually need at least four GCSEs at grade 4 or below.

However, individual centres may have different entry requirements. You may be able to get on to one of the courses without any qualifications.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Relevant skills, for example, in engineering or metal forming, are useful.

Apprenticeships are open to older adults as well as those at the outset of their career.

Related careers

• Bricklayer
• Builder
• Carpenter/joiner
• Heating and ventilating fitter
• Painter and decorator
• Plasterer
• Wall and floor tiler