Our Plumbing Courses
Our two main plumbing courses, ‘Become a Qualified Plumber’ and ‘Become a Qualified Plumber Advanced’, lead to industry recognised qualifications which can enable you to set up your own plumbing business or join a company.
For free career advice, please call us on Freephone 0800 058 2848
Why choose our main plumbing courses:
All your practical training can be taken at one of our nationwide centres.
All your theory materials can be completed when and where you want.
Tutor support is available at the centre when you do your practical workshops and by phone, email or fax when you do your theory units.
Our Business Support Service or Job Support Service can help you set up your own business or get a job with a company.
You can begin straight away, train with a reputable college, plus much more.
Our ‘Become a Qualified Plumber’ course has two options:
The 6189-11 is a more comprehensive plumbing qualification and is our recommended option.
The 6189-21 is more limited in its scope and will restrict the amount of work you’ll be able to do.
The 6189-11 is a more comprehensive plumbing qualification and is our recommended option.
The 6189-21 is more limited in its scope and will restrict the amount of work you’ll be able to do.
Plumbing Courses
Successfully complete this course and you are qualified to…
Become a Qualified
Plumber1
City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing and Heating (6189-11)
Work as a qualified plumber with your own business or for a company.
Work with copper and plastic pipes for installing and maintaining systems.
Fit, install and maintain bathrooms.
Fix and connect radiators.
Work with airing cupboards/water tanks.
or
City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Installing and Maintaining Domestic Heating Systems (6189-21)
Do all of the above except the fitting, installing and maintaining of bathrooms.
Become a Qualified
Plumber Advanced 1
City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate (6129) and City & Guilds NVQ Level 3 (6089) in Plumbing
Note: The awarding body is due to update the 6129 and 6089 qualifications with the forthcoming City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating (6189). So you can have the most up-to-date qualification, you will automatically be transferred to the new qualification when it becomes available.
Work as an advanced plumber with your own business or for a company.
Work with unvented hot water storage systems.
Fully manage projects including system design and planning.
Be ACS Gas Safe Registered.
You can do this course once you have completed the ‘Become a Qualified Plumber’ course.
Train with us for industry recognised qualifications
City & Guilds is the UK’s leading vocational education organisation, recognised by 99% of employers in the UK2 . By successfully completing our City & Guilds accredited course, you’ll be entitled to call yourself a qualified plumber.
Gas Safe Register is the body charged by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to maintain a register of competent gas engineers in the UK and Isle of Man. Being on the Gas Safe Register is a legal requirement for businesses and self-employed people working on gas fittings or appliances3 .
Demand for qualified plumbers
After you’ve successfully completed either our ‘Become a Qualified Plumber’ or ‘Become a Qualified Plumber Advanced’ course above, you could set up your own business or join a company to benefit from the demand and variety of plumbing jobs available.
For free career advice, please call us on Freephone 0800 058 2848
Additional Short Courses
Once you’re a qualified plumber, any of our additional short courses could give you valuable extra skills to further your career. For more information on any of the courses listed, please call our Career Advisors on Freephone 0800 058 2848.
Course
Successfully complete this course and you are qualified to…
Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water
Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water certificate
Install, maintain and commission solar thermal systems, which use the sun’s rays to provide hot water.
Once installed, solar thermal systems can provide people with hot water, lower bills and a smaller carbon footprint.4
Once installed, solar thermal systems can provide people with hot water, lower bills and a smaller carbon footprint.4
Domestic Heat Pump Installer (Air & Ground Source)
Domestic Heat Pump Installer (Air & Ground Source) Certificate
Install heat pumps, which provide heat and hot water by converting energy from the air and ground.
Those with heat pumps can reduce fuel bills, CO2 emissions and wasted electricity.4
Those with heat pumps can reduce fuel bills, CO2 emissions and wasted electricity.4
Energy Efficiency Part L
Energy Efficiency Part L Certificate
Work in people’s home or small commercial units providing energy efficient plumbing and electrical solutions.
People can limit a building’s heat gains and losses and use no more fuel and power than is reasonable.5
People can limit a building’s heat gains and losses and use no more fuel and power than is reasonable.5
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater Harvesting Certificate
Select, install and maintain different types of rainwater harvesting system commonly used in the UK.
Rainwater harvesting collects rainwater and stores it for later use. This can reduce the cost of the overall water supply and lower the risk of flooding.6
Rainwater harvesting collects rainwater and stores it for later use. This can reduce the cost of the overall water supply and lower the risk of flooding.6
Grey Water Harvesting
Grey Water Harvesting Certificate
Select, install and maintain different types of grey water harvesting systems commonly used in the UK.
Grey water harvesting recycles the water you use in your home for things such as showers and washing machines. This can lower the cost of customers’ water supply.
Grey water harvesting recycles the water you use in your home for things such as showers and washing machines. This can lower the cost of customers’ water supply.
Heat Recovery
Heat Recovery Certificate
Advise customers of ways they can recover wasted heat.
Install a variety of heat recovery systems in a domestic setting.
Heat recovery enables customers to collect and then re-use the heat they produce, which can lead to reduced energy bills and improved efficiency.
Heat recovery enables customers to collect and then re-use the heat they produce, which can lead to reduced energy bills and improved efficiency.
Unvented Hot Water Storage Systems
Unvented Hot Water Storage Systems Certificate
Install unvented hot water storage systems over 15 litres in capacity, and self-certify your work.
Water Regulations
Water Supply (Water fittings) Regulations 1999 Certificate
Recognise the legal requirement relevant to installing or maintaining plumbing systems.
Understand and comply with this current legislation.
Domestic Electrical Installer incl. Part P
EAL Level 2 Certificate for Domestic Electrical Installers
Complete and self-certify electrical domestic installations eg bathrooms and kitchens.
Ideal for plumbers who want to do domestic electrical jobs themselves.
Ideal for plumbers who want to do domestic electrical jobs themselves.
CSCS Card
CSCS Card (The Construction Skills Certification Scheme Card)
Prove you’re competent and have health and safety knowledge.
Work on construction sites.
Heating & Hot Water System Design 7
Foundation Certificate in Basic Heating and Hot Water System Design and Specification
Plan and design domestic heating systems.
Legionella Control 7
Legionella Prevention and Water Treatment Certificate
Work in a safe manner, ensuring that your installation and maintenance work does not cause Legionella poisoning.
Give guidance on the dangers and prevention of Legionnaires' disease.
Installation and Maintenance of Electric Boilers
OLCI/EHC Certificate in Installation and Maintenance of Electric Boilers
Install, maintain and operate high-efficiency electric boilers.
Customers install electric boilers as an independent heat source and they work well in supporting some of the latest renewable energy systems.
Customers install electric boilers as an independent heat source and they work well in supporting some of the latest renewable energy systems.
Other career options
At OLCI, you could also take our courses in other trades.
1 Learners living in Scotland and Northern Ireland, please click here for further information.
2 Source: cityandguilds.com
3 Source: gassaferegister.co.uk
4 Source: Energy Saving Trust (www.energysavingtrust.org.uk)
5 Source: PartL.co.uk
6 Source: freerain.co.uk
7 Available at our London Central centre
2 Source: cityandguilds.com
3 Source: gassaferegister.co.uk
4 Source: Energy Saving Trust (www.energysavingtrust.org.uk)
5 Source: PartL.co.uk
6 Source: freerain.co.uk
7 Available at our London Central centre
