Most asked questions about becoming a professional plumber!

So, you are thinking about a new career as a plumber? Here at Able Skills we have been providing high-quality training courses for 20-years and today we are going to talk about the most asked questions when looking to start on the journey towards working as a professional plumber. We also want to make you aware that although we cannot conduct training in-centre at the moment, you can still start right now with our Home-Study Level 2 Plumbing qualification!

How much do Plumbers make?

Working as a plumber your earning will largely depend on the type of work you are doing and your level of experience. However, the average salary for a plumber is somewhere around £26,000. Again, this will depend on the company you work for, whether you're self-employed and the type of plumbing work carried out, such as specialism in heat and gas, with certification as gas safe. Highly experienced plumbers of this type could earn in excess of £40,000.

What qualifications do I need?

When looking to begin working as a plumber the initial and most important qualification is your City & Guilds Level 2 Plumbing . This is the starting point and here at Able Skills we offer the we offer this formal trade qualification and is required in order for candidates to progress further in their plumbing training/career. The course will provide you with a range of plumbing skills covering various topics including Electrical principles and processes, Common plumbing processes, Cold water systems, Domestic hot water systems, Sanitation, Central heating systems and Drainage systems. You can even get started now, during lockdown, which we talk about here.

After this you will be able to start working, however, many construction sites across the country will not allow you access until you achieve an NVQ!  If you are looking to achieve an NVQ in Plumbing, this is also available at Able Skills. This is an assessment process that judges your skills on the job via two on-site visitations. We are now offering this process remotely through a video call, contact us on 01322 280 202 for more information about this.

Are there jobs out there?

There is currently huge demand for skilled traders all across the board. It is estimated that there are 120,000 - 150,000 plumbing and heating engineers registered in the UK. The population of the UK is currently around 66.44 million so you can see that these numbers are not in proportion - Time to take advantage, make 2020 the year for a new career and plumbing looks like the most profitable trade to become involved with. The professionals out working at the moment are seeing a spike in their earnings simply due to the lack of qualified professionals. The trade offers job security and plenty of opportunities.

What opportunities are there later on?

Once you have been working in the industry for some time and you have gained you NVQ you may be thinking to yourself what is the next step? Well, in the trade there is always the opportunity to become self-employed and starting your own limited company. This would meaning flexible hours to suit yourself as well as the freedom to work when you choose, where you choose and for however long you like.

Additionally, many professional plumbers eventually look to learn the trade of Gas which expands your access to more work increasing your ability to secure jobs and ultimately increasing your earnings. Here at our training centre we have recognised this transition that traders make and have put together our Qualified Plumber Gas Training Courses that are tailored to helping plumbers gain the skills and knowledge they need to add gas work to their skillset.

How do I get started?

Unfortunately, we cannot current conduct in-centre training courses in an effort to remain safe during lockdown. However, our Home Study courses offer the perfect opportunity to get started with a brand-new career, all the while sitting at home during this current UK lockdown. We know that this is a difficult time for all of us but why not start working towards a new career and prepare for the future by starting your training and making the most of every minute you have.

The course work in two parts. Firstly, we will send you the tools you need to learn the theory side of the trade at home. This includes our 'Home-Study pack' the relevant City & Guilds textbooks, access to the online learning platform SmartScreen and contact details for one of our instructors. Included in the pack are mock questions so that you can test yourself as you study. Secondly, when it is safe to do so you will look to book 4-weeks of training here at our centre and time to complete the necessary exams.

So, how do you get started? Well, our office staff are still working continuously during this period and can answer any questions that you have and explain the course in more detail. You can contact them on 01322 280 202 or email us on info@ableskills.co.uk, we also have a live chat feature on our website for any quick insights. As soon as the course is booked we will send out your package so that you can start your journey in the plumbing industry!

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