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The Course   

Our closely supervised, practical and hands-on learning means you could become one of the most highly qualified plumbers in the UK. 

No previous plumbing experience is necessary

Qualifications

Level 2 Technical Certificate and BTSC Basic Plumber qualification (C&G No. 6129)

Your training starts with 6 one-week training modules which qualify you to install bathrooms, airing cupboards and to do basic plumbing work. Many trainees start working on their own account even at this early stage.

Level 3 Technical Certificate and BTSC Advanced Plumber qualification (C&G No. 6129)

Next, you complete 4 more one-week modules which qualify you to install and service central heating systems and do more advanced plumbing work. This is followed by a short module for the Un-vented Hot Water and Water Regulations certifications and the JIB Health and Safety card, needed for access to most construction sites.

NVQ Levels 2 and 3 Certificate (C&G No.6089)

If you are working as a plumber at this stage, our Assessors come out to your workplace (up to 12 times) to assess work as required by City & Guilds. You then become a full City & Guilds Qualified Plumber and BTSC Advanced Plumber.

If not working at this partly trained stage, these qualifications can still be achieved by Assessments carried out at properties you locate, such as friends’ houses, where you will need to show evidence of your learning, such as carrying out some specified repairs. Similarly, to go on and qualify for the ACS gas certification ‘good evidence’ as required by NIC, may be obtained by carrying out a range of installations, repairs and services of various appliances in the presence of a registered gas installer at properties you locate. Our installers may be able to do this for an additional fee or you can arrange it for yourself.

CAPITA Gas Safe Registration (formerly CORGI)

Finally you return to the Centre for 5 days preparing for, and taking, the ACS gas assessments – once you’ve passed, you can apply for the potentially lucrative CAPITA Gas Safe Registration. The Course includes one day’s Energy Efficiency training for self-certifying certain work. You then qualify as a BTSC Master Plumber.

The one-week training modules can be taken either separately with varying length breaks in between, suitable for those in work and wanting to maintain their income, or continuously ‘fast-track’ with just a break between, and halfway through, each Level. Various ‘Out of Hours’ modules scheduled mostly on weekends and evenings may also be an option.

 

 

Only basic computer skills are needed, training is available if required.

  

Your career path to becoming a Master Plumber

One-week modules 1 to 10 can be taken Fast-track with continuous modules except for breaks between, and once during, each Level or separately so you can continue with your current commitments whilst training for a new career.

City & Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate and BTSC Basic plumber

MODULE 1

Copper pipe bending, jointing, soldering and compression fittings – use of plumbing hand tools – measurements used – domestic cold water systems – installing cold water pipework – identification, fault-finding and maintenance of taps and valves.

MODULE 2

Domestic hot and cold water storage systems – hot water cylinders, pipework design, systems of water supply – installing bathroom plastic waste pipes – airing cupboard installation.

MODULE 3

Central heating systems, controls and system design – installing radiators using steel pipe – steel pipe bending, threading and jointing – environmental awareness and effective working relationships.

MODULE 4

Lead roof work, step flashings, slates, front aprons and back gutters – maintenance and repair of sheet lead – installation of chimney flashings to a stack.

MODULE 5

Scientific principles and calculations commonly used in plumbing – electrical installations for plumbing systems – sanitation pipework design – plumbing materials – practice in installing complete bathroom and combination boiler pipework.

MODULE 6

Installing, testing and commissioning a complete bathroom – includes bath, pedestal basin, close-coupled WC and radiator – soil and waste system, hot and cold water supplies, central heating pipework and combination boiler.

City & Guilds Level 3 Technical Certificate and BTSC Advanced plumber

MODULE 7

Installing, commissioning, testing and maintenance of complex domestic cold and hot water systems – improvement of business products and services – introduction to gas pipework testing and purging – boiler commissioning and servicing – electrical installation of central heating controls.

MODULE 8

Installing, commissioning, testing and servicing of unvented hot water systems – gas pipework testing and purging – design and the regulation requirements for unvented hot water systems – electrical installation testing and commissioning.

MODULE 9

Complex sanitation and drainage system design – installing, commissioning and servicing gas fires, water heaters and cookers – central heating design and heat loss calculations.

MODULE 10

Gas Regulations, gas pipe work and ventilation sizing and calculations – installing and commissioning boilers, water heaters and controls for central heating systems – gas component design and function – maintenance and fault-finding of gas fires, cookers, water heaters and central heating systems.

MODULE 11

Unvented Hot Water Certificate – required in order to self-certify unvented hot water installations.

Water Regulations (1999) – required in order to self-certify most water supply installations.

JIB-PMES Red Health and Safety Card – required in order to carry out plumbing work on most building sites.

WORKPLACE ASSESSMENTS

Up to 12 visits are made to a trainee’s workplace by BTSC Assessors to assess work in progress as required by City & Guilds.

MODULE 12

ACS for CAPITA ‘Gas Safe’ Registration – essential to go on the new CAPITA ‘Gas Safe’ register - formerly CORGI.

Energy Efficiency Certificate – required in order to self-certify installation of central heating and hot water systems.

Building Trade Skills Centres Master Plumber.

Content of training modules. Summary and guide only – content and order may change.

 

Find out more, ring your nearest Regional Centre for an interview.

 Easy Finance

Whatever your circumstances BTSC can help

There are various routes available for Personal Loans that Students can apply for via their Bank or other High Street Banks and other loan providers such as Tesco Finance and Sainsburys Finance. BTSC will assist in those endeavours by supplying Trainees with full details of our courses.