Program Overview

Plumbing Apprenticeship

Overview

This apprenticeship in plumbing consists of four on-the-job phases with an approved employer and three off-the-job phases in an educational organisation. Apprentices will be invited to attend their off-the-job training phases in accordance with the SOLAS scheduling system.

Course Structure

• Phase 1: On-the-job training with the employer (12 weeks)
• Phase 2: Off-the-job training with ETB (20 to 22 weeks)
• Phase 3: On-the-job training with the employer
• Phase 4: Off-the-job training with TUS (10 – 11 weeks)
• Phase 5: On-the-job training with the employer
• Phase 6: Off-the-job training with TUS (10 – 11 weeks)
• Phase 7: On-the-job training with the employer

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 involve 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, aluminum, 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.

What personal qualities and skills do I need?

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 at team
• Show a positive attitude
• Recognise the need for good customer relations
• Demonstrate good work practices including timekeeping, tidiness, responsibility, quality awareness, and safety awareness

Pay Information

For this Plumbing apprenticeship, the employer pays the apprentice while s/he is being trained on-the-job. The rate of pay is agreed between the employer and the apprentice.

Training Allowance

A training allowance is paid by the local Education and Training Board (ETB) while the apprentice is attending the off-the-job training. In some cases, a contribution towards travel or accommodation costs may be paid if deemed eligible. The industrial designation of the employer will determine the allowance payable.