Plumbing Craft | Selby College
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Extended Certificate/Diploma, Level 2

Plumbing Craft

Plumbers install and maintain numerous types of piping systems found in residential and commercial properties, power plants, water treatment facilities, waste disposal plants, and factories. A plumber can expect to work both inside and outside a building.

Plumbers are responsible for installing and maintaining various types of piping systems and fixtures found in buildings. As a plumber you will install and maintain the pipework for heating systems, install/renew boilers, radiators, and the piping system; you will install/maintain the pipework for sanitary systems, baths, showers, wash basin and toilets.

An average salary for a qualified plumber is £29, 200. Many qualified plumbers become self-employed, working at day rates £150 to £200. A self-employed plumber can expect an average salary above £35,000 per year.

As a newly qualified plumber, you can expect to earn £18,000.

Plumbing Craft study programmes start with a level 1 certificate/level 1 diploma or level 2 diploma. Learners progress to level 2 and level 3 study either as a full-time learner or as an apprentice.

This study programme is supported with construction sector engagement; students will benefit from guest speakers; critical friends from industry visiting the workshops; visits to local construction sites being examples offered to all plumbing students. Working with construction companies the college also offers a work placement opportunity.


On this study programme, you will learn through classroom teaching and activity incorporating IT access. The college has designated plumbing workshops and through practical activity, you will develop your plumbing skills.

All study programmes cover health, safety relevant to the plumbing and heating trade. They also aim to develop practical skills for this craft.

With this you will study:

• Plumbing Science

• Environmental impact of plumbing installation

• How to carry out cold water installations

• How to carry out hot water installations

• How to carry out drainage installations

Those successfully completing their first year of study typically progress to the next level. However a number of our students gain employment and progress onto the Apprenticeship Standard Level 3 .

Potential Careers

  • Plumber’s labourer
  • Plumber
  • Plumbing and Heating Engineer
  • Gas Engineer
  • Renewables Installer
  • Building Services Engineer

This is an ideal course for those who are looking to learn on a full-time basis and have identified that they want to enter the construction/maintenance sector and have a career as a plumber/heating engineer/building services engineer.

4 GCSE's at grades 9-4 to include English and Maths; alternatively with a Level 1 Extended Certificate/Diploma in Plumbing Craft 3 GCSE's at grade 9-3 to include Maths and English.

Practical assessment is continuous throughout the year with theory elements assessed through examination.

Where can it lead?