Plumbing Training - Distance Learning...?

Mark-Eagle · Mar 9, 2011

HI all

I'm a plasterer come general builder and I've been learning plumbing "on the job" so to speak for a couple of years, fitting kitchens/bathrooms etc etc. even so far as fitting an entire Air Source Heat Pump system recently, all with the guidance of my plumbing mate.

My goal is to eventually become a plumber, full stop.

What I want to know is, is there a decent "Distance Learning" course available? I figure I get plenty of "hands on" training on site, and would like to supplement this by increasing my own knowledge of the trade.

Being the best part of 50, I don't want to waste my time on a course that gives me no qualifications that are "recognised". So something City & Guilds, with some NVQ stuff added on (or you can add on) would be ideal (I think!).

Thanks for reading!

Mark

fuzzy · Mar 9, 2011

Mark-Eagle said:
HI all

Being the best part of 50, I don't want to waste my time on a course that gives me no qualifications that are "recognised". So something City & Guilds, with some NVQ stuff added on (or you can add on) would be ideal (I think!).

Thanks for reading!

Mark

Mark, you need to understand qualifications to begin with. NVQs are C&Gs. city and guilds is just an awarding body, they offer tech certs and nvqs. tech certs will cease to be at the end of the month and the only qual avaiable will be the nvq, it will be called 6189 nvq diploma offered by city and guilds, EAL and possibly bpec eventually.

You are better taking to colleges, i suspect you will have to do an apprenticeship which includes the full qual, acs and english and maths to get a full apprenticeship framework.
alternatives are to go to a private centre but i know somebody who spent £7.5k for the job lot and had to pay lots of extras taking him to £14.5k, and he has only got the tech cert because he cannot get the evidence. make sure you read the small print, a college will offer you the recognised framework not just the quick quals😉