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A woman in a green t-shirt and black cargo pants kneels on the floor, working on the pipes and components inside a blue kitchen cabinet, with tools and a toolbox nearby, illustrating hands-on plumbing training at B&FC.

Plumbing - Level 1

Summary

Plumbing is a vital trade that plays a key role in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. With the UK continuing to invest in new housing, energy-efficient heating systems and infrastructure, skilled plumbers are needed now more than ever.

The City & Guilds Level 1 Plumbing Skills course is the perfect starting point for 16–18-year-olds looking to enter the plumbing industry. Whether you’re thinking about becoming a self-employed plumber, working for a building firm, or progressing into an apprenticeship, this course lays the foundations for a practical, rewarding, and well-paid career.

Plumbing is more than just fixing leaks. It’s a skilled profession that requires problem-solving, precision, and technical know-how. As the world moves towards greener homes and more sustainable energy systems, plumbers are at the forefront of fitting modern heating and water systems that meet new standards.

The Level 1 Plumbing Skills course gives you a recognised introduction to the trade, helping you build the core practical skills and knowledge that employers and apprenticeship providers are looking for.

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
02 Sep 2026
Bispham Campus
1 Year

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

This Level 1 qualification prepares you for further study, employment or a plumbing apprenticeship. It is a stepping stone into the broader world of the building services industry.

After completing this course, you can:

  • Progress onto the Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing
  • Apply for a Plumbing Apprenticeship with a local employer
  • Move into employment as a plumber’s mate or trainee installer

With experience and further qualifications, you could become a:

  • Fully qualified plumber
  • Heating and ventilation engineer
  • Renewable energy installer (e.g., heat pumps, solar thermal systems)
  • Self-employed contractor or plumbing business owner

Next steps at B&FC

Having successfully completed the Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies, students are ideally place to progress onto our Level 2 Plumbing course.

Other study options

It may be possible to secure an Intermediate or Advanced Apprenticeship depending on the availability of suitable vacancies in this sector. Current vacancies can be viewed here.

Employment Opportunities

Employment opportunities at this level exist in entry-level roles such as:

Plumber's Mate | Trainee Installer | Site Labourer

Key information

Entry Requirements

GCSE English and maths at Grade 2 or above.

•    A successful interview with a tutor
•    The ability to study independently
•    A genuine interest in the subject
•    Good communication skills
•    Hardworking approach towards the industry

All 16-18 year-old applicants will be invited to attend an interview to meet a tutor and ask any questions they may have about the course.

Qualification obtained

Diploma in Plumbing Studies

Fees and funding

Courses for learners who are 16-18 years old at the start of their course and resident in the UK are fully funded. You may also be entitled to further financial help to support your studies depending on your personal circumstances. For more details of these, please visit our page on Finance Support for School Leavers. 

If you are not a UK resident, we will confirm whether funding is available when we process your application. If not, you may be liable for course fees.

Extra costs and equipment

All construction students must adhere to health and safety legislation when in our workshops, which will require purchasing and wearing the following items for practical activities:

  • Safety boots
  • Safety helmet
  • Hi-vis vest
  • Work trousers
  • Safety glasses
  • Gloves

All the above items can be purchased from local suppliers for a total cost of approximately £45. If you have issues funding these items, please speak to your course tutor.

For class-based learning you will also need to bring paper, pens and a folder, in which to keep all your revision and notes.

What will I learn?

This is a practical, workshop-based course designed to give you real-world skills, supported by classroom learning to develop your understanding of plumbing principles and techniques.

Key areas of study include:

  • Health and Safety in Construction Environments
    Learn how to work safely on-site and in workshops, including how to handle tools and materials correctly.
  • Introduction to Plumbing Principles
    Understand how water systems work, including hot and cold supplies, waste systems, and pipework configurations.
  • Basic Pipework Skills
    Get hands-on with tools to cut, bend, and join copper and plastic pipes using industry techniques such as soldering and compression fittings.
  • Installation of Plumbing Fixtures
    Learn to install basic fixtures like sinks, taps, radiators, and toilets in line with best practice.
  • Measuring, Marking, and Technical Drawing
    Develop the essential measuring and layout skills needed for accurate installations.
  • Maintenance and Repair Tasks
    Practice identifying and fixing simple faults such as leaks, blockages, or loose fittings.

Essential skills: English and Maths

All school leavers at B&FC are encouraged to continue developing their English and maths skills as higher ability in both these subjects is linked to long-term career success and increased earning potential - irrespective of how well you performed at GCSE. If, however, you achieve a GCSE Grade 3 or less in either subject, you will also have the opportunity to work towards re-sitting these to enhance your paper-based qualifications. This won’t delay your career journey because you will be undertaking this programme of study at the same time as your chosen subject.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

There are no mandatory work placements or field trips as part of this course.

How will I learn?

The course is full-time and takes one year to complete. With an emphasis on the application of practical plumbing and heating techniques, you will spend a large proportion of your time in our dedicated plumbing and heating workshops learning how to fit pipework, install drainage and use the various tools associated with the sector.

There will be some classroom-based learning where you will acquire the underpinning knowledge that will inform your practical sessions. You will be supervised by industry-expert tutors who will guide your practice and provide ongoing feedback to allow you to improve your techniques and finesse your work.

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed via written assignments and your ability to demonstrate competency in a number of practical tasks related directly to the units you have studied. There are no written exams as part of this course. The qualification is simply marked pass or fail and assessment is carried out internally.