This course will give you an industry recognised qualification and the technical knowledge and skills required to undertake basic domestic plumbing work, including cold and hot water systems and sanitation and central heating.
The course is designed for those wishing to enter into the plumbing industry but have no previous experience.
This is a qualification that tests both practical and knowledge based skills in a realistic working environment and when you have successfully completed this qualification you will be at Improver/Plumber’s Mate level.
On this course you will study the following units through a mixture of practical workshop sessions alongside classroom based activities:
Maths and English
As part of your study programme you will also attend maths and English sessions and have the opportunity to improve your GCSE grades.
Health and Safety Awareness
To be able to go on a construction site, you need to have a certain level of knowledge and skills around health and safety.
We’ll help you gain these skills through specific training and by sitting the Health, Saftey and Environment test.
Two GCSE grades at 4 or above in English and maths.
Throughout the course, we’ll monitor your progress and provide constructive feedback to help you to improve where needed.
We’ll measure your skills and knowledge against nationally recognised standards specific to the construction area.
We assess you in a range of ways including practical tasks and projects from which you’ll create a portfolio of evidence, set online exams and written coursework and assignments.
The synoptic assignment is externally set and internally marked and externally moderated.
The assignment requires candidates to identify and use effectively, in an integrated way, an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts, theories, and knowledge from across the whole content area.
A highly motivated team of industry specialists with a wealth of knowledge across a wide range of vocational trades will make up your teaching team.
Our aim is to work with you to support you to develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours to succeed in the construction environment.
If you have the right attitude and commitment, we can support you to become who you want to be.
Our industry partners include Local Authorise and SMEs within the plumbing and heating industries, ensuring that our course content is always up to date and relevant to today’s construction industry and that our work placement opportunities are with some of the best employers in our region.
Our Skills Academy for Construction is a purpose built centre with dedicated workshop areas for each construction trade.
There may be costs for uniform or equipment.
We’ll let you know at our enrolment events or during the application process and will help you to source the required items through our preferred suppliers, meaning you’ll get the best rates.
There is also funding available to help cover some of these costs, if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Ask us for more information at our enrolment events.
After this course, you can progress onto one of our Level 3 courses or an apprenticeship.
Fast track to an apprenticeshipYou can start on this programme and fast track to an apprenticeship once you’re ready and a vacancy becomes available.
Sign up to our apprenticeship alerts and we’ll keep you up to date with all the latest vacancies.
Plus our team will help you with your CV or application and help you prepare for interview.
Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college.
We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.
Our specialist teams can help with:
See here for more information, pop into one of our enrolment events, call us on 0191 490 4627.
This course is free to those aged under 19 years old.
Most people aged 19 years and over can qualify for free or reduced price course fees and there are grants and bursaries you can apply for to help cover the costs of coming to college, depending on your circumstances.
If you already have a full level 3 qualification and are aged 19 years over, you can apply for an Advanced Learning Loan or pay the fee upfront in full and qualify for a 10% discount.
You can get more information at our enrolment events, by calling 0191 490 0300 or email us at [email protected]
Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college. We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.
To contact our dedicated Learning Support team email [email protected] or head to Live Chat
Knowledge
Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Median Salary
£43,318
Averge Qualifications
Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Economics and Accounting: Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
£67,398
Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Physics: Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
£31,730
Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.
£21,718
£31,072
People in these occupations plan and maintain gardens, landscaping, and nurseries and carry out forest and felling operations.
People in these occupations design construction projects, prepare technical drawings and blueprints, survey land, and plan land use.
People in these occupations maintain and service transport vehicles and specialised vehicle systems.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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Connect with our Academy socials:
Rail Track Maintenance Information Session – Blaydon
Tuesday 3 March 2026
Enrolment Event
Monday 16 March 2026
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View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.