A1 Tiler,
Stick with this plumber you are with, maybe do a short course that gives you a qualification just to keep you up to speed on current regs. Then go straight in for your NVQ2 after a few years with him.
If its just domestic plumbing your doing and interested in, I wouldn't bother jumping through the hoops of the 6129 / 6089. Just go for a short course where you get a recognised qualification and stay at that
