Plumbing

A good plumber will always be in demand as people will always need to drink, wash and use the bathroom. Colchester Institute has the biggest plumbing training section in Essex, and can offer the high levels of training you will need to become a professional plumber, covering formal qualifications in Building, Water, Gas, and Health & Safety regulations. Plumbing has become much more of a technical subject; now it is a necessity to obtain the correct qualifications to allow you to work legally in the trade.

Local plumbing companies who have offered Apprenticeships with Colchester Institute include CM Cadman & Son Ltd and PG Bones.

Course Aims
To provide the high levels of training needed to become a professional plumber.

Entry Requirements

• Aged 16 or above
• Interview
• BPEC (British Plumbing Employment Council) Entry Assessment
• Employment in that area prior to the course start date

Course Content

• Training towards plumbing and heating on domestic installations including:
• Health and Safety/Domestic hot and cold water installations
• Wet central heating systems/Above ground sanitation
• Roof weatherings (lead work)/Basic electrical installations
• Level 2 focuses on installation, covering key skills leading to City & Guilds 6129 Plumbing Technical Certificate and 6089 Plumbing Certificate.
• Level 3 focuses on planning, commissioning and supervisory skills, leading to Level 3 City & Guilds Certificates listed for Level 2, a water regulations qualification, an unvented hot water qualification and training to ACS standards in gas.

Assessment
Continual assessment within College to include phase tests over two years, continual assessment within the workshop, 2x2 block week assessments, minimum of three site assessments by College assessors

Progression
Undertaking ACS domestic gas assessments, progressing on to become CORGI registered and approved contractor for water authorities.

What's it like doing a Plumbing Apprenticeship?

• Name: Chris De Vito
• Age: 24
• Apprenticeship: Plumbing Level 3 (Advanced)
• Job title: Plumber

What are your day-to-day duties at work?
Putting heating systems and bathrooms, new boilers, new radiators, bathroom suites. I do soldering, pipe bending, wiring up room thermostats and power to boilers. Fault diagnosis and repairs.

How has the Apprenticeship helped you with your job role?
Loads. Coming to College backs up the theory with the practical - it's good to have different points of view and learn different techniques from different people. You're getting hands on experience, improving your skills and gaining qualifications.

What are your ambitions for the future?
My goal is to conquer the electrical side, pass the wiring regulation exams, and to become a Corgi registered plumber.

What did you do before joining the Apprenticeship scheme?
I was a Class 2 LGV lorry driver, before that I worked for my uncle in construction, and wanted to get a trade.