Construction - Plumbing - Apprenticeship
Are you a people person and want a varied job where you are problem solving and working with your hands? The plumbing apprenticeship could be the apprenticeship for you.
| Award Name | Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
The overall duration of this apprenticeship is a minimum of 4 years provided all phases are successfully completed.
Entry Requirements
The minimum age at which the employment of an apprentice may commence is 16 years of age.
The minimum educational requirements are:
1. Grade D in five subjects in the Department of Education & Skills Junior Certificate Examination or an approved equivalent,
or
2. The successful completion of an approved Pre-Apprenticeship course
or
3. Three years’work experience gained over sixteen years of age in a relevant designated industrial activity as SOLAS shall deem acceptable
It should be noted that these are the current approved minimum educational requirements for apprenticeship programmes, however, previous experience of the following subjects would be an advantage but not essential: Mathematics, Technical Drawing/Graphics, Metalwork, Construction Studies, Engineering, Physics and Technology.
Careers / Further progression
Opportunities on Qualification
On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, apprentices are qualified to work within the recognised trade or profession.
Where apprentices and craftspersons have the necessary ability, initiative and basic qualifications, opportunities are available for advancement.
These include advanced technology courses and management courses which are available in Institutes of Technology, Schools of Management and Professional Institutes.
Many apprentices use their apprenticeship qualification as a platform to launch careers such as engineers, managers, owners of businesses, teachers and instructors amongst others.
Further information
To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.
To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs page at https://apprenticeship.ie/career-seekers/jobs. You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship.
Your local Education and Training Board may hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.
On completion of this four-year apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified plumber, with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft - Plumbing.
You may then choose to work as a self-employed plumber in private dwellings, or as a contractor in industrial and commercial buildings.
Many apprentices use their apprenticeship qualification as a platform to launch careers such as engineers, managers, owners of businesses, teachers and instructors.
What is a Plumber?
Plumbers install, maintain and repair systems of water supply, drainage and central heating in houses and other locations. These systems include hot and cold water systems, sanitary services, heating systems, and pipework and controls for gas supply.
The work includes central heating systems and their
controls, pipe-work, sanitary systems, drainage systems,
guttering and rainwater systems.
Maintenance and repair work includes routine servicing and emergency repairs, which involves finding faults, replacing or repairing damaged parts, carrying out tests and ensuring that the system works properly.
Plumbers work on such technologies as gas fired and oil fired heating systems, under-floor heating, solar, geothermal and biomass heating.
Plumbers work in a variety of locations including houses, industrial and commercial buildings.
Plumbers require many skills including:
• Working with technical specifications and drawings
• Ability to use a variety of hand and power tools including wrenches, spanners, saws, cutters, welding equipment and pipe threading machines.
• Cutting, bending, joining and fixing materials such as lead, copper, aluminium, plastic and iron.
• Installation of central heating systems and their controls and pipework, sanitary systems,
• Drainage systems, guttering and rainwater systems.
• Testing systems to ensure they are working efficiently and safely.
• Maintenance and repair work including routine servicing and emergency repairs.
Personal Qualities and Skills
As a Plumber you will need to be physically active and to be able to work with your hands. An awareness of health and safety and good housekeeping is essential as well as attention to detail and an eye for the aesthetic.
The Plumber must have the ability to:
• Plan, Organise and Communicate effectively
• Solve problems
• Work independently and as part of a team
• Show a positive attitude
• Recognise the need for good customer relations
• Demonstrate good work practices including time keeping, tidiness, responsibility, quality awareness and safety awareness.
Aspects of work
Learning and developing new practical craft-related skills, knowledge and competence
Working with and learning from experienced Craftspersons
Seeing a job through from start to finish
Comply with Health and Safety requirements
Working with technical drawings and diagrams
Using tools or machinery to shape metal
Being accurate with numbers in counting, measuring and arithmetic
Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
Working at heights
Lifting or carrying heavy items
Taking responsibility for own learning, including the allocation of study time
Flexible working arrangements as emergency work may be involved
Being physically active
Passing all your phase exams (theory, practicals skills demonstration)
Bending, kneeling and working in cramped and awkward spaces
Earning as you learn
Apprenticeship Training Programme
Phase 1: With Employer
Induction Training
Introduction to Health & Safety
Introduction to Tools & Equipment
Introduction to Basic Skills
Phase 2: Delivered in Training Centre (21 weeks)
Course Content:
Thermal Processes and Mild Steel Pipework
Domestic Hot and Cold Water Services
Central Heating
Communications & Team leadership
Phase 3: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
Phase 4: Delivered in Educational Colleges (11 weeks)
Course Content:
Thermal Processes and Piping Systems
Cold Water and Water Treatment Systems
Oil and Central Heating Systems
Hot Water Systems
Gas Installation Safety
Communications & Team leadership
Phase 5: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
Phase 6: Delivered in Educational Colleges (11 weeks)
Course Content:
Thermal Processes and Piping Systems
Renewable Energy
Heating and Air Conditioning
Gas Installer Domestic
Plant and Process Systems
Communications & Team leadership
Phase 7: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
You will be assessed throughout your apprenticeship by a range of assessment instruments. These include theory, practical, and skills demonstration assessments.
On successful completion of the programme the learner is awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Plumbing