Blog » How to be a… Plumber

How to be a… Plumber

17th September 2013

Water, water everywhere…? Then you need a plumber.

For information on a career in plumbing a good place to start is the PMST (Plumbing and Mechanical Services Training) which delivers the Plumbing Modern Apprenticeship course.

School or college leavers aged 16-24 will be eligible for a Modern Apprenticeship so long as they are directly employed by a plumbing and mechanical employer.

Training includes a mix of attendance at a local further education college (off-the-job training) which leads to a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and also at an employer’s premises/site (on-the-job training). 

The MA programmes offer apprentices an opportunity to gain practical work experience whilst undertaking training an NVQ Level 3 qualification which is recognised throughout the industry.

Each Modern Apprentice, if successful, will gain the Level 3 NVQ Modern Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering Services (MES) Domestic: Plumbing and be graded by the Scottish and Northern Ireland Joint Industry Board (SNIJIB) for the plumbing industry.

Subject to age and funding, the PMST can meet the full cost of the three-year college programme. Modern Apprentices on the programme will receive a weekly wage from their employer while attending work and college. The rates of wages of apprentices are set by the SNIJIB.

The Plumbing and Mechanical Services Industry operates a policy of equal treatment including access to training opportunities, regardless of sex, race, religion or disability except that the individual must be reasonably fit and able in their own best interests to meet the work and safety requirements of the industry.

For more information contact:

PMST at The Mount, 2 Woodstock Link, Belfast, BT6 8DD;

Tel: 028 9073 7294; 

Online: www.pmst.co.uk

Or your local further education college.

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