Plumbing - Level 2

Summary

This technical qualification focuses on the development of knowledge and practical skills needed for working in the Plumbing industry.

This qualification is aimed at students who are not yet employed in the plumbing industry but wish to learn the skills needed to progress further to an apprenticeship or the Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma qualification.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration
02 Sep 2026	Bispham Campus	1 Year	Apply now

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

Successful completion of this Level 2 qualification will prepare you for an apprenticeship in Plumbing, or the Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Plumbing. This would fully qualify you to work as a plumber or progress to gain the ACS qualification enabling you to become Gas Safe registered.

Once qualified, there are many specialist qualifications available, such as environmental technology systems and designing and planning complex water systems.

Career Options and Progression

Successful completion of this Level 2 qualification will prepare you for an apprenticeship in Plumbing, or the Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Plumbing which fully qualifies you to work as a plumber or progress to gain the ACS qualification to enable you to become Gas Safe registered.

Once qualified, there are many specialist qualifications available, such as environmental technology systems and designing and planning complex water systems.

Key information

Entry Requirements

4 GCSEs grade 3 or above including English and Maths, along with the following:

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

Please note: Where wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is a mandatory requirement of the course, it is the responsibility of the learner to ensure that they are able to wear such equipment. Further information can be obtained at the IAG session which all applicants are invited to or by calling Course Enquiries on 01253 504343.

Qualification obtained

Technical Certificate in Plumbing

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.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: City and Guilds

Regulatory Body: Ofsted

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

All the modules covered in this qualification are mandatory, they are:

Health and Safety and Industry Practices
Plumbing Processes
Electrical and Scientific Principles
Cold water
Hot Water
Central Heating
Sanitation and Drainage

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

Work placement is a mandatory element of the study programme for all 16-18 year olds, students will spend a minimum of 20 hours in a relevant work placement.

This can be achieved in a number of ways such as work on local projects, community challenge work or with an employer.

Students are encouraged to look for their work experience independently.

How will I learn?

This qualification consists of 5 hours per week classroom based learning for your underpinning knowledge and 7 hours per week workshop based. One key teaching and learning method is that of demonstrations.

At Blackpool and The Fylde College we recognise that all students learn differently and our tutors work with you to ensure that their teaching methods support the way that you like to learn.

Your tutors ensure that demonstrations are used whenever possible so you can see the practical skill being used so you can then practise the skill. Following demonstrations, you will then have hands on practical time where you will be implementing the skill learned.

There will be dedicated individual/self-study time which needs to be supported by your own study out of the College learning environments.

E-learning is also a key element of all our courses and will involve you using our Canvas platform for independent study and learning.

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?

This course is part of the City & Guilds Technical Level Qualifications and as such is assessed in a number of ways.

You will sit the externally set and marked examination that will consist of short answer questions, multiple choice and detailed answer questions.

Your practical skills will also be assessed in a number of ways.

During the course your practical skills will be assessed to ensure competency and prepare you for the final synoptic assessment.

An example for the synoptic assessment could be to install sanitary appliances into existing systems.

This will draw upon the knowledge, skills and understanding from across the qualification that the candidate has acquired and apply it to this assignment.

The candidate will need to show their abilities to plan for a task and the practical skills such as hand skills when marking out, cutting and bending pipe and the installation of hardware.

Candidates will also demonstrate they are following health and safety regulations at all times by drawing upon their knowledge of legislation and regulations.

All of the grades for the externally set exam and synoptic assessment will then be calculated so you will complete the overall year with a fail, pass, merit, distinction or distinction star grade.

On successful completion of the course, your certificate will detail the grades you have achieved.

Assessment Weighting

The assessment weighting for this course is as follows:

External Exam = 40%
Graded synoptic Assessment = 60%

Please note: you will only be given one opportunity to re-sit the external examinations and the final graded synoptic.

Assessment Methods