On completion of this four-year apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified plumber, with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft - Plumbing.

You may then choose to work as a self-employed plumber in private dwellings, or as a contractor in industrial and commercial buildings.

Many apprentices use their apprenticeship qualification as a platform to launch careers such as engineers, managers, owners of businesses, teachers and instructors.

Working as a plumber, will involve you installing, maintaining and repairing systems of water supply, drainage and central heating in houses and other locations. These systems include hot and cold-water systems, sanitary services, heating systems and pipework and controls for gas supply.

You will be required to carry out maintenance and repair work including routine servicing and emergency repairs, which involves finding faults and replacing or repairing damaged parts, carrying out tests and ensuring that the system works properly.

You will also work on technologies such as gas fired and oil fired heating systems, under-floor heating, solar, geothermal and biomass heating.

To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available in the Plumbing Apprenticeship brochure.

For further information, contact your local Education and Training board.

Bolton Street

Donal Keys
Email: donal.keys@tudublin.ie
Tel: +353 1 220 6738