Frequently Asked Questions

How can I join an InTAPlumb Apprenticeship course?

• You must be employed within the Plumbing Industry.
• Provide us with your employers details.
• We will invite you to attend the centre for an interview and take an aptitude test to gauge your suitability for our courses.
• We will arrange to meet with your employer to check work suitability and to confirm eligibility for funding.
• Upon acceptance we will provide you with your course commencement and completion dates and a course timetable.

How much will my course cost?

InTAPlumb courses are funded by Government via the LSC (Learning & Skills Council).

• If you are aged 16 – 19 at the commencement of your course (and our checks prove that your employment status is suitable) 100% of your course fees will be funded. Neither you nor your employer will be required to contribute to your course costs.
• If you are 19 or over at course commencement your course fees may be subsidised by the LSC and you or your employer will be required to contribute the remainder of the costs.
• All tools, materials and safety equipment is provided by the centre, however, you will be required to provide yourself with boots & overalls for use in all workshop activities and stationary equipment for your theory sessions.
• InTAPlumb will also recommend a selection of relevant publications, which you may choose to purchase to aid your progression.

What qualification is recognised in the Plumbing Industry?

* What qualification is recognised in the Plumbing Industry?

The National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) is recognised as being the official qualification within the Plumbing sector in England, Wales & Northern Ireland.

In Scotland the qualification is the SVQ (Scottish Vocational Qualification).

The qualification is made up of a series of checks within the workplace, (Work Place Evidence), to prove an individuals industrial competence, and a series of examinations & practical assessments within an assessment centre (Technical Certificate) to assess the individuals understanding, (underpinning knowledge), of all aspects of the industry.

Competence in Numeracy and Communication Skills must also be attained.

Completion of the Full Framework is achieved when an individual has satisfied all of the above. The ´Awarding Body´ will then issue a NVQ (or SVQ) Certificate.

Who is the Awarding Body?

The Awarding Body for the Plumbing Industry is City & Guilds of London Institute (CGLI).

How Long Will It Take To Become Qualified?

There is no answer to this question as some individuals will progress quicker than others.

When sufficient evidence has been produced to prove competence in all areas of the Full Framework, a certificate can be issued.

However, 2 years has been recognised as a reasonable time for an individual, with no prior experience, to achieve a Plumbing qualification at Level 2, and a further 2 years to achieve Level 3.

What Assessments Are Involved In The Plumbing Certificate?

Practical

Once registered, all candidates receive an assessment pack, (Portfolio) which outlines the assessment tasks that must be completed. These range from simple pipe bending exercises, with an assessment time of 40 minutes or so, to more involved installation assessments with an allocated completion time of 28 hours. Thorough training is provided, and assessments are conducted as requested by the individual Candidate when they feel they have reached the standards required to secure a pass.

Theory

11 theory exams must be passed. These are set by CGLI & are of a multiple choice format.

• Health & Safety
• Key Principles
• Common Processes
• Cold Water systems
• Hot Water systems
• Sanitation systems
• Central Heating systems
• Electrical supply
• Lead Sheet Weathering
• Environmental Awareness
• Working Relationships
• Employment Rights/Responsibilities ­ M.A´s only

At the end of the second year a final end test (multiple choice) is taken.

Do InTAPlumb Offer Fast Track Courses?

InTAPlumb only train and assess individuals to Industry recognised standards and successful applicants receive Industry recognised qualifications (NVQ). These are gained by combining technical knowledge gained at InTAPlumb with experience, knowledge and confidence gained from the workplace. This can take up to 4 years to achieve.

Extreme caution should be given to any promise of a recognised qualification on the completion of an intensive short course. Such courses are not recognised by the awarding body or the Industry and official recognised qualifications are unlikely to be a result of completion of such a course.

Kevin Wellman, Operations Director of the Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering(IPHE) stated "We have received applicants for Trainee membership who have enrolled on ´fast track´ plumbing courses. We would be failing in our duty to uphold standards to allow someone who has only attended a course lasting 5-10 weeks to become a member".

Andy Watts, Chief Executive of the institute added: "as the professional body for the plumbing & heating industry it is our responsibility to help protect the public from poor plumbing practice".