Plumbing Jobs
- What is the outlook for plumbers in the UK?
- Where can plumbing jobs be found in the UK?
- What type of employment exists for plumbing jobs in the UK?
- Who employs people for plumbing jobs in the UK?
- What qualifications are needed for plumbing jobs in the UK?
- What other plumbing job experience is advantageous?
- How much can you expect to earn as a plumber in the UK?
- What is the best way to get a plumbing job in the UK?
- How should you prepare your CV for the UK?
What is the outlook for plumbers in the UK?
The UK's construction industry is big business. Fuelled by a strong economy and the demands of an expanding population, there is a constant need to maintain old and develop new infrastructure within the UK. And, of course, there is also the incredibly large task of preparing for the 2012 Olympic games in London.
There are constantly a wide variety of construction projects being undertaken in the UK — including many plumbing jobs — and there is a strong demand for qualified and experienced plumbers to help with their completion. Apply to Jobs before you arrive or Register with Agencies up to 6 months before you arrive.
Where can plumbing jobs be found in the UK?
Plumber jobs are available UK—wide, though the majority exist in large towns and cities. The biggest example of this is in London. The size of the city and the enormous demands placed on its infrastructure ensures that there is a huge demand for workers within the construction industry.
Plumbing jobs in London can be either large or small in scale and so there are great opportunities for plumbers of all experience levels. Areas just outside of London also have a strong demand for plumbers. Within the wider area of South East England, plumbing jobs may be found in such places as:
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Other areas throughout the UK which you might consider, include:
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Tip: If you have a particular desire to live and work in a specific UK location, then make this intention clear to your recruitment agent from the outset.
What type of employment exists for plumbing jobs in the UK?
As a rule, plumbing jobs in the UK are undertaken on a contract basis. Plumbing jobs in London are particulalrly contract based and, for this reason, it can be very useful to have a labour agency act as your direct employer.
Who do plumbers work for in the UK?
Plumbers can find work from a variety of private–sector employers, including:
- Plumbing firms
- Building firms
- Mechanical engineering services companies
Plumbing contracting companies come in all shapes and sizes — though there are a great number of small contracting firms in the UK.
As a construction industry UK subcontractor, you will also find that labour or recruitment agencies can provide you with a great deal of work, such as short—term maintenance plumbing contracts.
What qualifications are needed for plumbing jobs in the UK?
The UK has an extensive set of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) which provide the theoretic background to many trades and vocations. In Scotland, these are known as Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). S/NVQs are completed in line with apprenticeships and contain 5 levels:
- Level 1: equivalent to a site operative or labourer
- Level 2: craftsperson
- Level 3: advanced craftsperson
- Level 4: manager / professional
- Level 5: senior manager
UK plumbers achieve their certified status by fully completing NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Mechanical Engineering Services: Plumbing.
Being able to prove that you meet the national plubing certification level is becoming increasingly important in the UK and is now a prerequisite to working on most construction sites. To this end, a number of certification schemes have been developed to provide all construction site workers with an official photo ID card which provides proof of their level of qualification.
While it is not currently a legal requirement to belong to a certification scheme, it may certainly be seen as advantageous to your employment prospects. There are a number of different certification schemes for different occupations.
The plumbers' card scheme is awarded by the Joint Industries Board for Plumbing Mechanical Engineering Services in England and Wales (JIB–PMES) — and is known as the JIB–PMES CSCS Card. Fortunately for most overseas trained plumbers, getting this card shouldn't be as difficult as trying to remember what it is called.
Application forms for a JIB–PMES CSCS Card can be found at the JIB–PMES website. There are a number of different cards available for various specialities (for example, there are separate cards available for general plumbers and for mechanical pipe fitters). The application cost for a JIB–PMES CSCS Card ranges from £10 — £30.
For overseas workers, you must do two things as part of your application:£
- Provide an evaluation of your qualifications from UK NARIC. The cost of a letter of comparability (online) is £39.95. For more information, UK NARIC may be contacted on (t) +44 (0)871 330 7033, (f) +44 (0)871330 7005, or (e) info@naric.org.uk.
- Pass a JIB–PMES Health and Safety Assessment. Detailed information regarding this assessment (and possible exceptions) can be found on the JIB—PMES website. The cost of the assessment is £17.50.
If you need any further information, you can contact the JIB–PMES CSCS Card Helpdesk on (t): +44 (0)800 1971060.
What other plumbing job experience is advantageous?
Work is available for plumbers of all experience levels though, essentially, the more experience you have the better. As a general rule, having 2 + years experience should be sufficient.
Having detailed information regarding your previous experience, such as the size and scope of plumbing jobs and projects you have been involved in, will be extremely useful in helping you find work. You should also ensure that you have an accurate and up to date list of referees.
How much can you expect to earn as a plumber in the UK?
- Newly qualified plumbers can expect to earn £16.5 – £20 K per annum.
- Experienced plumbers can expect to earn £21 – £30 K per annum.
- Plumbers with supervising duties can earn up to £35 K per annum.
The amount of money you can earn as a plumber in the UK varies from job to job and will be effected by a number of factors.
Plumbing jobs in London almost always pay more than those based in other parts of the UK. This is due to the associated costs of living in London, as well as the fact that many larger (and richer) companies and many of the bigger and more expensive projects are based in London.
Other factors which will effect your pay packet include:
- The size of the organisation you work for.
- The amount of responsibility you have in your role.
- The amount of previous experience you possess.
UK experience will enable you to earn premium amounts.
What is the best way to get a plumbing job in the UK?
There are plenty of plumbing jobs in the UK for experienced candidates but finding the right job can be a daunting task.
Whether you are applying for a specific job or simply looking for anything which matches your skills and experience, your first point of contact will probably be a recruitment agency.
Recruitment agencies are heavily involved in the UK job market — it is their business to find quality candidates for employers while simultaneously helping candidates to develop and progress their careers.
WORKgateways manages a network of the best building , trades and labour recruiters to help you reach your potential.
Register with recruitment agencies up to 6 months before your arrival in the UK. Your recruitment consultant will then begin the process of finding you a suitable position, giving you a great headstart to your working life in the UK.
If your travel plans or arrival date changes, make sure you inform your recruitment consultant immediately.
Learn how to get the most out of your WORKgateways UK job search in our FAQs.
How should you prepare your CV for the UK?
Your CV for the UK should be short — no more than 3 pages. Recruiters and employers see hundreds of CVs at a time, so it's important to make sure that the important information on your CV is obvious.
Your CV should include a list of the plumbing jobs you have worked on, including specific details on your requirements and responsibilities.
Be sure to list your experience in reverse–chronological order (i.e. most recent experience first).
Use lists and bullet points to enable the reader to quickly scan and understand your experience and abilities.
Here is a free sample electrician resume:
| Mar 2006 — Present | Company Name, Country Plumber |
| Projects: |
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| Responsibilities: |
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