This City & Guilds Level 1 Plumbing Course provides an introduction to the plumbing sector, covering both the practical and job-related knowledge required to work in the plumbing industry. Designed specifically for school leavers, this course combines essential theoretical learning with hands-on training, ensuring you gain the skills and confidence needed to start your plumbing career.

Delivered by experienced tutors in fully equipped workshops, you will work with industry-standard tools and materials, providing you with a solid foundation in plumbing techniques.

By the end of the course, you will understand the core principles of plumbing systems, including water, heating, and drainage.

We recommend that you have:

• Four GCSEs at grade 2 or above, including English and maths

or

• Functional Skills in English and maths at Entry Level 3

At enrolment, you will have an interview with our course tutors to ensure the course is right for you.
You may also need to complete an initial assessment in English and maths, depending on your grades.

This course is assessed through a combination of practical assessments, assignments, and the compilation of a portfolio.

Practical assessments involve an assessor observing your workshop activities to assess your hands-on skills.

Students are required to compile a portfolio that demonstrates their learning and progression throughout the course. This portfolio includes evidence of completed practical tasks, photographs of work completed, and written reflections or reports on the tasks carried out.

Assignments will cover the skills and knowledge gained in each unit. These assignments are set by City & Guilds, delivered and marked by the tutor/assessor, and externally verified by City & Guilds to ensure that the assessment is carried out properly.

This course provides the ideal foundation for progressing to a Level 2 Plumbing qualification, securing an apprenticeship, or gaining an entry-level role in the plumbing industry.

Throughout the course, you will gain both practical experience and theoretical knowledge in key areas of plumbing.  Units studied may include:

• Unit 101 Structure of the construction industry
• Unit 102 Fundamental safe working practices
• Unit 103 Environmental and sustainability measures in domestic dwellings
• Unit 104 Site preparation for working in the construction industry
• Unit 108 Above ground drainage
• Unit 109 Copper pipework
• Unit 110 Plastic pressure pipework
• Unit 111 Low carbon steel pipework
• Unit 112 Installation, repair and maintenance of plumbing systems
• Unit 113 Plumbing science

Practical sessions will take place in a dedicated plumbing workshop, while theory lessons will be delivered in a combination of classroom, workshop, and home study environments to support flexible learning.

The course is delivered over 16 hours per week, providing a strong balance between hands-on training and essential construction knowledge.

School Leavers (16-18)

If you will be 16, 17 or 18 years old on 31 August before your course starts, and you have the legal right to live in the UK for the full length of your study programme, your course will be free.

You may also be eligible for financial help to support with books, travel, course materials and childcare costs – please click here for more information.