Take Plumbing Courses before Buying Online Parts

Potential plumbers are being warned off buying pipe parts from the internet auction website eBay.

Thousands of gas and plumbing components are available on eBay but many people who buy them are under-qualified and should not attempt to install them around the house.

People must only buy parts if they have taken appropriate plumbing courses which have taught them bit of background knowledge to enable them to undertake simple plumbing tasks at home.

On plumbing courses, students will be supplied with tools and materials throughout their training time in order to demonstrate their competence and gain the skills and confidence to take on a wide range of tasks.

People will not need any previous experience before enrolling on short intensive plumbing courses but it might be necessary for them to bring suitable clothing such as steel capped shoes.

The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors' Rick Cress said that it was concerning that unskilled people were doing plumbing work because they may be compromising their own safety and that of others.

He said: "It's a frightening thought that anyone at all can buy them and try to fit them, whatever their level of skill. We believe that safety is being compromised, and along with that, the reputation of the industry suffers.

"Also, although it is hard to prove, we know many employers fear that products appearing on eBay could have been stolen by unscrupulous employees."

People who complete intensive plumbing courses may want to enhance their skills by taking advanced training but they must realise that these courses will not turn them into fully qualified plumbers.

Those who want to enter the heating and plumbing industry will need to take the City & Guilds 6129 Level 2 qualification because it is the current recognised entry level requirement into the plumbing sector.

This qualification can be combined with a number of relevant courses such as gas courses and part p courses which can make someone more employable because they will have more skills to practice around commercial and domestic dwellings.

All good training providers will have dedicated plumbing centres equipped with fully functioning rigs and booths so trainees can practice their skills first-hand instead of at home or online.

People who are in full-time employment should research training providers that offer weekend and evening courses if they want to learn plumbing skills in their spare time without encroaching on work.


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Able Skills provide quality training through electrical courses, plumbing courses and much more. Able Skills have opened an Energy Saving Training Centre to provide approved training on the installation of energy efficient forms of heating and lighting.