littlecookie

hi
years ago i fitted a few kitchens and bathrooms including showers with no problems only for family and friends and liked doing it while i worked with a builder ,but for some reason maybe my young age at the time i went elsewhere and got an low paid job being a delivery driver and have done it for the last 18 years but now im looking at starting out but im not sure what i need to be legal , i have been told nvq level 2 ,i am limited to the hours i can spend training so i was looking at the olci coures 1 and 2 as they can be done at home are they any good, as they cost about 1100 quid together but i have also seen some coures 5 times as much . im a bit confused any advise please...thanks

jberry

Hi Littlecookie
olci will cost you a lot more than 1100 quid if you want the full course for level 2 nvq,but the good thing is, if you feel comfortable with your trade and you do a good job then go for it, Ive been plumbing for 20 years, but ime going through olci to get my gas certificate as i feel thats the way forward for me.

littlecookie

not sure what ive been looking at then its so confusing, it says there is course 1 and also course 2 i have spent ages looking around but as far as i can see it seems impossible to fit any training around my job
is it possible to train from home or is what they say not true

ProffesorPlumb

We offer a NOCN Level 2 Qualification in Domestic Plumbing. You will cover all wet plumbing in 2 weeks and your qualification can be used as Accredited Prior Learning towards your NVQ2.

Check our website for details Tiling Courses from Chase Tiling Academy

Or PM me for further info and your questions answered

Anthony

littlecookie

alot of courses say they will go towards nvq 2 or point you in the right direction there is loads of courses and after looking a bit more the olci is just the basic learn at home stuff unless you can get to their centres which are too far,what is the legal word on whats needed to be able to call your self a plumber and go out and charge people for the work done and not be breaking any laws also any views on VIY Plumbing in leeds

uug197h

if you are looking for a fultime course then i would recommend PPL at york they have a web site and if you phone James he will show you round and answer any questions you have.

Plumbing Forum Moderator

littlecookie

just had a look at the ppl course seems similar to the viy training one ,both seem ok to me but does anyone know of anbody who has done any of them and become a self employed plumber also after the training course how do you get the nvq 2 do you have to work with another qualified plumber as i have spoke to a few who are not in any way interested as one said why would he help train someone who will be in competition with

ProffesorPlumb

You can get your NVQ2 by working on your own. You just have to ensure that you satisfy all the performance criteria of the award.

You have 2 years from the registration date to complete the award, so no worries there.

Keep us posted

littlecookie

just spoke to a plumber /gas fitter while on deliveries he said there where too many people taking up the trade same as sparkys ,he said soon its going to be hard for both trades to keep getting regular work ,he seemed a bit unhelpful told me to stick with my driving job =) also i know a tile fitter, havent seen him for a while but ive heard he is now fitting bathrooms as well, can he do that,

nick penfold

Im currently on an NVQ2 plumbing course and am self employed. I DO however work alongside my father, a qalified plumber.

At my college, a number of the lads have not got work placements yet but the college has connections with a number of large plumbing firms and is confident if finding them placements once their technical certificate is complete.

urrent qualifications recognised as being a qualified plumber are the C&G 6089 and 6129. I believe this comprises of the technical certificate and the nvq2.

I think There is no legal requirement for qualifications/registrations at present to work in the industry apart from the Part P for electric work, ACS and corgi for gas work and OFTEC for oil work.

It is possible however to be prosecuted if you the installer go against the water regulations (water fittings) act thingy.

More info can be found on The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering


Alarmingly, people need to be aware of te governments plansto introduce anti cowboy schemes. They aresaying something along the lines of tradesmen will need a card similar to a CSCS card to work in the industry and you need an NVQ2 to get one or a lot of years work experience which will be inspected.

My advice i give all my friends is to contact your local college about NVQs in plumbing. If you have already done a course, your more likely to get on as you show aptitude and enthusiasm for the trade.

Hope that kinda helped mate

Nick