Every trade has its own set of specialist tools and equipment that's used to complete some very specific jobs. You can guarantee that an electrician's toolbox is going to look different to a plumbers toolbox, but what is all that specialist equipment and what does it do?

Well whether you're just curious or you're keen to start your plumbing training ahead of schedule, we'll talk you through the essential plumbing tools here.

Wrenches

Plumbers would really struggle to do their job without the humble wrench, and you'll find wrenches of all shapes and sizes in a plumber's toolkit.

The wrenches you see above are often called pipe wrenches because they're able to wrap around and grip tightly onto pipes of varying lengths and sizes. Plumbers usually reserve these heavy-duty wrenches for pipes made of metal as they would potentially cause damage to more fragile pipework.

Other common wrench types include basin wrenches (with a long handle for reaching behind sinks), faucet valve-seat wrenches (for old stubborn seals) and allen wrenches (for securing or loosening a range of plumbing fastenings).

Pliers

Pliers are a common feature of a lot of toolkits, but they can be particularly useful for plumbers because they're so versatile and can be adjusted to any size! Perfect if you need a good grip on a particular pipe while you unscrew a seized fastening or attach a new fitting. 

Rib-joint pliers are also great for getting a grip on small nuts, bolts and pipes because of their small yet strong jaws. Plumbers have to be careful when using pliers not to maw the pipe or fitting they're working on!

Plunger

The humble plunger - probably one of the first things that springs to mind when you think of a plumbers toolbox, right? There are very few other professions that are required to use a plunger, so this is really a piece of equipment that's iconic of the plumbing trade! If you've ever used one yourself, you know what they're for!

Applied over a sink or drain hole, plungers can suck up and help you remove any debris that's causing a blockage. They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and there's bound to be at least one in every plumber's toolbox.

Hose Cutter

When plumbers are fitting bathrooms or kitchens they're required to use metres and metres of piping. Often, piping comes on large reels like the ones you see above, so of course, plumbers need a pipe cutter to hand!

Having a sharp pair of hose cutters to hand is paramount if plumbers want to ensure a leak-free clean edge. Pipe cutters can also be used to cut perfect shapes into copper hosing when necessary. 

 Soldering Tools

Often plumbers will need to join copper pipes to fix your sink or fit your new bathroom. With that in mind, it's possible that you'll see a portable soldering kit in and amongst the plumbing toolbox.

This could include a range of things such as a soldering torch, a fire-resistant cloth, solder, flux, and a striker. Having this equipment handy and being able to use it safely can be incredibly beneficial, particularly if you run your own plumbing business and are required to travel frequently for work.

So, this gives you an insight into the kinds of tools that plumbers use! To become a real expert on all things plumbing, why not consider signing up for one of our plumbing training courses?

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A recent study by Which? has revealed that dodgy DIY is a primary cause for plumber call-outs across the UK.

In a survey that covered over 3800 Brits, the variety of home maintenance jobs tackled by the untrained, unequipped and unqualified ranged from unblocking a toilet to fitting an entire bathroom suite.

Somewhat predictably, these DIY plumbing jobs often end in a damp squib, leaving many homeowners in hot water.

As a result, this translates to a lot of extra work for UK plumbers.

The Numbers

The results of the study highlighted some interesting trends, particularly when it comes to the common DIY tasks we attempt at home.

According to the Which? study, 53% of those that took part had attempted to replace a set of taps themselves.

Theoretically, assuming this survey is indicative of the nation as a whole, that means over half of Britain has dabbled in home plumbing in pursuit of saving a few quid.

Meanwhile, a further 41% had attempted to plumb in an appliance themselves and 35% have attempted to fix a leak.

DI-Why?

On the flip side of these figures, traders are commonly hired to help solve these issues created by over-enthusiastic DIYers.

In fact, over 60% of the traders surveyed had been called in to finish the aforementioned tasks, proving that there really is no substitute for first-hand knowledge and professional experience.

Worse still, these DIY disasters often lead to even worse problems occurring, from small leaks developing into larger issues to poor installation completely ruining kitchens.

DIY Plumbing Courses

One thing that’s abundantly clear from the study is that DIY plumbing jobs are a sure-fire way to get yourself in deep water – quite literally at times!

That being said, here at Access Training UK, we have a variety of entry-level plumbing courses available, designed to help you not only become a DIY VIP but also a veritable plumbing pro in no time at all.

Ideal for anyone looking to learn a new skill, perfect their DIY skills or change their career path entirely, these plumbing related courses have the ability to change your life as well as your home.

Essential Plumbing Course

Designed for absolute beginners, this course provides you with a firm understanding of the basics and sets you up for a potential new career in the trade.

Professional Plumbing Course

This all-level course provides a variety of useful qualifications, designed to equip you with the knowledge to confidently enter the world of professional plumbing.

Advanced Plumbing Course

Ideal for beginners or those looking to update their existing skills, this course allows you to learn the ins and outs of plumbing and gas fitting.

Bathroom Installation Course

Specifically designed for those that want to design and install bathroom suites to a professional standard, this course is open to all skill levels.

For more information on our plumbing courses, call now on 0800 345 7492 or hit the button below to get in touch online.

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30-year-old Carly Gayle from Crewe recently made headlines after being dubbed 'The UK's Sexiest Plumber'. Her story (which was picked up by The Sun, the Daily Star and the Daily Mail, among others) highlighted the plight faced by women trying to make it in the male-dominated world of plumbing.

"Where's the man?"

Carly, a fifteen-year veteran of the plumbing trade, is often asked "where's the man?" when she arrives on-site for a job. Sadly, it's a line that lots of tradeswomen are familiar with, and it goes to show that many members of the public still hold very stereotypical views about what a plumber looks like.

While Carly did go on to mention that she has used that dismissive comment as fuel to help her succeed, her story does bring to light the hardships faced by female plumbers in the UK and the uphill battle they often endure.

Get Girls Plumbing

Another familiar element of this story is the fact that Carly was one of only two women on a plumbing course of 200. In fact, according to industry experts WaterSafe, less than 1% of all UK plumbers are female.

As a result of this stat, WaterSafe launched their 'Get Girls Plumbing' campaign back in 2014, aiming to promote the trade to female school leavers and women looking for a career change.

While the campaign has barely moved the needle in terms of overall figures, there's undoubtedly a market for female plumbers in the UK. In fact, WaterSafe also reported that 31% of women would prefer a female plumber to carry out work in their homes.

All-female companies have begun to spring up in a variety of male-dominated industries, from moving companies to taxi services. In fact, for many of these businesses, it's become a unique and lucrative selling point.

Gender equality is a hot topic in 21st-century Britain, and there's never been a better time for women to dive into the world of plumbing.

Our Plumbing Courses

Regardless of gender, plumbing is a great skill to have and an even better career to jump into. Careers in plumbing are well-paid, challenging and always in demand.

Luckily, here at Access Training UK, we have a wide variety of plumbing courses that offer both men and women the chance to learn a trade, switch careers, and change their lives for the better.

Essential Plumbing Course

Learn the basics needed to become a domestic plumber (no experience required).

Professional Plumbing Course

A comprehensive course to help you become a fully-qualified plumber (no experience required).

Premier Plumbing Course

Combined course allowing you to earn plumbing and gas qualifications simultaneously (no experience required).

Bathroom Fitting Course

This course will equip you with all the skills and knowledge needed to install bathrooms (no experience required).

Unvented Hot Water Storage Systems

If you're already a plumber or heating engineer, this course will teach you how to install and maintain unvented hot water storage systems

WRAS - Water Regulations Advisory Scheme

Completion of this course enables you to apply for 'approved contractor' status with your local water authority - a prerequisite for many employers.

NVQ Level 2 Certification – For Experienced Site Plumbers

This fast-track NVQ programme is designed for experienced plumbers looking to gain the NVQ Level 2 Diploma quickly and with minimal fuss.

Whether you're male or female, why not consider training to become a plumber with the help of Access Training UK? Our courses offer qualifications for a range of skill levels, allowing you to achieve your career aspirations within a relatively short time frame.

View Our Plumbing Courses >>

So you have decided that you would like to be a plumber, you have taken a quick look at the courses that we have to offer, and decided on the course which is most suited to you and the qualification levels you think you may require. But let us take a moment and explain to you in more detail what qualifications you need to fulfil your ambition and become a fully qualified plumber.

The minimum qualification that you need to become a plumber is the City & Guilds 6035 level 2 Diploma in Domestic Plumbing. This qualification allows you carry out various domestic jobs, such as fixing taps and unclogging pipes etc. If you complete our Essential Plumbing Course then you will gain this qualification. The City & Guilds 6035 is ideal if you are just entering the plumbing industry and would like to work alongside or become a domestic plumber.

If you would like to work on a large building site, or for a larger plumbing firm, for instance, AA or British Gas, then your NVQ level 2 will be required.  If you have no prior experience in the plumbing industry, don’t worry. Here at access training, we have developed 2 courses that are designed specifically for the absolute beginner and will train you up to become a fully qualified plumber in next to no time!

Professional Plumbing Course

Our Professional Plumbing Course will help you gain four technical and professional, industry recognised qualifications;

•  City & Guilds 6035 Level 2 Plumbing 
• City & Guilds 6189-57 Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing and Heating  
• Unvented Hot Water Storage Systems Certificate 
• WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) Certificate 

These qualifications will allow you to enter the plumbing industry with a varied skill set, allowing you take on a variety of work, not only from domestic clients but you will also be qualified to work on larger sites and for large plumbing companies, such as British Gas.

Find out more about what our Professional Plumbing Course entails here. 

Premier Plumbing Course 

Our Premier Plumbing Course is the most comprehensive course that we have designed for any aspiring plumber, here at Access Training. To become a fully qualified plumber we advise you enrol in this course.

During the duration of this course you will not only become a fully qualified plumber, you will also be a fully qualified gas engineer. Upon completion of this course you will have gained;

•  City & Guilds 6035 Level 2 Plumbing 
•  City & Guilds 6189-57 Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing and Heating 
• Unvented Hot Water Storage Systems Certificate 
• WRAS Certificate  
•  Part P Domestic Electrical Installer 
• ACS Gas Certificate

As you can imagine, entering the plumbing industry with these qualifications will set you apart from the competition, either in a job interview or if you decide to embark on a career as a self-employed plumber.

If you are already working as a plumber, maybe you have taken our Essential Plumbing Course, or you have completed some work experience with an employer, you can also just enrol on the NVQ Level 2 Certification – For New Plumber's course through Access Training.

Find out more about what our Premier Plumbing Course entails here. 

If you are interested in becoming a fully qualified plumber, then don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your options with Access Training. Simply fill out the contact forms on the course pages, alternatively, you can call us on 0800 345 7492 and talk to one of our course advisors.

We get hundreds of enquiries every week from adults who are wondering if they are able to become a plumber at 40. If you are currently 40 or under, you will not receive your state pension until you are 67 - 68 years of age this means that you have another 27 or 28 years of work until you get any support from the state.

Can you really see yourself working in the same type of job, for roughly the same amount of money for the next 28 years? If the answer is no, then now is the right time to change your career and retain as a skilled tradesperson. 

So, if you have been dreaming about changing your career, and becoming a plumber is appealing to you, if you are in good health, then no age is too old to retain!  

A plumber will take on a variety of different tasks day by day. One day you may find yourself installing piping in a customer’s house, the next day you may be fitting a bathroom. The great thing about plumbing is that you will never know what jobs you will be faced with.

Variety is not the only positive aspect of being a plumber. Many people who retrain to become plumbers with Access Training go on to become self-employed and become their own boss. Also, with there being such a large skills gap in the UK, plumbers are in high demand! So, if you are highly motivated and put in the hours, you can be looking at earning £30k+ a year!

Here at Access Training, we have developed flexible training programs that are designed to accommodate any work or family commitments you currently have. So if you cannot afford to leave your job to retrain, you can still train to become a plumber outside working hours. No matter what your circumstances or your experience level, we aim to deliver a truly comprehensive plumbing course that will get you qualified faster than any other training course in the UK. To view our range of Plumbing Courses, simply hit the button below!

View Plumbing Courses > 

Don’t let the thought of your age hold you back! Become a plumber at 40, become a plumber at 50, no matter when you choose to retrain, you will be giving yourself the chance to spend the rest of your working years in a varied and rewarding career. 

If you are ready to take the first step to change your career and learning to become a plumber, don't hesitate to contact us or call us on 0800 345 7492 and a member of our customer service team will be more than happy to assist you.

If you're considering a change of career, plumbing can be a very lucrative choice. Plumbers are always in demand - every home needs water, after all - and whether you start your own business or get a steady job with a contracting firm, there's a lot of money to be made in this evergreen trade.

So how much do plumbers make?

Once you have completed a professional plumbing course with Access Training Academies, it would be reasonable for you to expect a yearly salary of around £18,000 – £20,000 if you begin your plumbing career in a medium-sized firm. As with nearly every profession, plumbers working in the London area can expect a higher salary then those elsewhere in the UK.

Once you have become more experienced, your wage will increase, and you can probably expect a healthy yearly salary of roughly £21,000 – £30,000 (if working within an established medium-sized plumbing firm). To earn this wage, you will need to possess additional qualifications as well as holding a more supervisory / managerial position within your company.

Alternatively, you can enrol on our Premier Plumbing Course and gain multiple gas and electrical qualifications that will allow you to join the Gas Safe Register and complete a wider range of work, including installing and wiring boilers. If you have completed your Gas Safe training as well as your standard plumbing training, you may be able to earn as much as £35,000 per year.

Many of our learners choose to become self-employed once they've got their plumbing qualifications under their belt. Being your own boss gives you a lot of flexibility, allowing you to choose:

• The hours that you work
• The kind of jobs you do
• The amount you charge per job

Not surprisingly, self-employed plumbers tend to earn more than plumbers who choose to work for a firm. Some self-employed plumbers make up to £60,000 a year.

Self-employed plumbers can charge up to £90 an hour, and could potentially make £1,000 per week. This obviously depends on how in-demand your services are in your area. But with the current skills shortage only set to intensify over the coming years, a skilled tradesperson can dictate their own prices. It is not unheard of for an experienced plumber to earn in the region of £100,000 per year. If you are prepared to put the hours in and offer a 24-hour emergency plumbing service as well as your day-to-day service offering, you can do very well for yourself indeed!

Access Training Academies can help you to achieve your career goals and earn the qualifications necessary to succeed as a plumber.

View Plumbing Courses >   Speak to a Course Advisor >

Now that we've entered August it's fair to say that the summer holidays have properly started, and school children aren't going to have to even think about school for another month. But what about those 18 year olds who are just coming out of sixth form/college? It's not so easy for them as they won't be going back in September - it's time for them to think about the next step in their lives.

For many university will be the most obvious route, engaging in another 3+ years of education with a qualification and a heap of debt at the end of it. And what job is that qualification likely to get you? With most graduates struggling to get jobs relevant to their degrees, they are now beginning to fill lower-level positions that would usually be taken by those who haven't gone to uni and want to work their way up into a career via experience. So where does that leave them? As you can guess, its a pretty big problem and calls into question just how useful some degrees are in landing you your 'dream' job.

But there are other reasons one might not want to go to university. After over a decade of timetables and school work, some people might want to put that behind them and move onto something different. Instead of more sitting at a desk and writing, there are practical options out there that will keep your working life active and varied. And of course, there is that matter of student loan/tuition fee debt that I briefly mentioned earlier...

With the demand for skilled tradespeople at an all-time high thanks to a construction boom and renewed interest in housebuilding, those looking for a direction outside of university may be perfectly suited to becoming a plumber, gas engineer, electrician, carpenter, plasterer, tiler, bricklayer or decorator. Or even a number of the above! But once again, there are a few ways to go about it.

One option is to take up a college course in your chosen trade. Not a bad option, but there are a few things to think about. These courses can take around two years to complete, which means once again resigning yourself to a strict regime of timetables. There's also the fact that colleges have to budget  their wide variety of courses, which means there's every possibility you could find yourself with facilities not quite as ideal as you might have hoped for.

The alternative? Completing an intensive training course with a private trainer, where you'll be able to earn your skills and qualifications in a matter of weeks. This probably sounds impossible to many of you, but with the right tutelage from experienced tradesmen in a state-of-the-art facility the combines the very best practical and theory training it's more than possible. And with a private trainer their ONLY focus is on the facilities and the training they provide, so you know that your chosen trade is a key subject for them.

Sound like the path you want to take? Then get in touch with Access Training Academies and book your training course today. We specialise in a wide variety of trades training courses, each manned by tutors with many years' experience in the business. All of our courses are accredited by leading awarding bodies such as City & Guilds, Logic and more, and designed to take you from a beginner level all the way to that of a trained professional. Not only that, but we keep our classes to a minimal size to allow the most one-to-one student/tutor time possible, so that you know you're getting the care and attention you paid for. Following completion of your course, you'll be ready to start your brand new career and even have the abilities to go self-employed should you so wish. Its your choice what path you choose but one thing is definitely for sure - you'll have earned yourself skills for life that are constantly in demand, and as such enjoy constant work with impressive wages.

This August, have a think about where you want your life to head next. And if you like the sound of this, give Access a call on 0800 345 7492.

It's always been said that plumbers are constantly in demand, but did you know that said demand is so high that many existing plumbers are working well over 48 hours a week? It isn't just the customers that need more fully-trained professional plumbers, it looks like the plumbers themselves could use a bit of help too!

A new survey carried out by plumbing assurance scheme WaterSafe found that over half of UK plumbers are working over the maximum working hours with the Working Time Directive. Along with the 54% working over 48 hours, 26% are working between 40-48 hours - with only 13% working between 35-40 hours. What does this mean? Well, 94% of the plumbers spoken to thought that their long hours are having a negative impact on their family and social life.

So what's causing these unhealthy work shifts? 61% said that they've had to extend their working hours over the last ten years, and when asked 77% thought that the recession had impacted their business. Aditionally, 41% commented that customers think that cost is the most important factor when hiring a plumber, rather than who is suitably qualified for the job.

CIPHE CEO and WaterSafe board member Kevin Wellman said it was "concerning" to see such a large proportion of plumbers having to work such long hours in order to meet consumer demand.

He added: "It's important that the industry steps up to addresses this issue because overworked, tired plumbers could potentially result in unsafe installations and have a negative impact on their home life. Moreover, if we want to encourage young people into the industry we need to ensure hours are realistic and the industry is a well-regulated, safe place to work."

With more work available than what the current load of plumbers to handle, becoming a qualified plumber doesn't sound like a bad idea. And if you choose to take those skills and become self-employed, you'll be able to choose the hours you work. Overwork may be a problem for plumbers, but with self-employment you'll always have that option of stopping when you know you need to stop. Physical, varied, rewarding work with good pay and an opportunity for self-employment. Sounds perfect, but where do you start?

You start at the beginning of course, and that's with an intensive plumbing course with us here at Access Training. Working alongside our professional team of tutors, you'll work your way from a beginner all the way up to a trained professional, not only learning the practical skills needed but also the required theory and qualifications. Despite taking a fraction of the time it takes to complete a plumbing course in college, there's absolutely no skimping on quality as you work alongside tutors who've spent years in the plumbing industry. Not only will they be teaching you the relevant plumbing theory, but also offer their wisdom when it comes to working in the industry.

To find out more about our plumbing courses as well as all the other trades training we supply at Access, give our advice team a call on 0800 3457492 or fill in the online form found here on this website. The team are ready to answer all of your questions and explain things in more detail.

Many of the plumbers reading this blog post will already be using social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to promote their businesses. But did you know that there's now a dedicated social media network exclusively for the plumbing trade? Say hello to Connect.

Launched by leading shower/taps brand Bristan, Connect is an online platform that aims to provide installers with a dedicated area for them to get in touch with one another to share information or ask questions. Joining is completely free, and users will be able to upload images and videos of their work or products they think are worth recommending to others. In turn, the community will also provide news and information on the latest products, how-to tutorials, industry news and first access to promotional offers and discounts on Bristan's shower and tap products. It's the ultimate social media platform for plumbers!

Connect's creation was spurred on by Bristan's largest survey to date, which was conducted earlier this year. They found that many installers felt that there were few opportunities online for them to share information with each other. Signing up has been made as hassle-free as possible; you don't even need to create an all-new account! Instead, you can just sign up with an existing Facebook or Twitter profile. 

For more information you can visit the site at www.bristanconnect.com

Via HPM Magazine

Meanwhile, you can also keep up with Access Training on Facebook (link here) and Twitter (@accesstraining1). For more information on our range of trades training courses, which include plumbing, electrics, gas engineering, bricklaying, carpentry, tiling, plastering, painting/decorating and more - give our advice team a call on 0800 345 7492.

Plumbers are an incredibly important part of our society and most homeowners would be stuck without them. However if seems many are not getting the thanks and appreciation they deserve, with research revealing that UK plumbers are not only getting paid late but are often finding themselves chasing up said payments.

The survey from Worldpay looked at over 1000 tradespeople from across the country, and found plumbers have to chase their earnings up for around 27 weeks - almost twice as long as the average wait time of 15 weeks. More specific data found included that tradespeople are typically paid late once a month, with the annual total late payments owed coming to around £799. Worse still, most of this debt (£770) gets wiped off completely. Meanwhile the average figure for plumbers is significantly larger rising to upwards of £,948 a year. This resulted in over half of respondents admitting to have problems with their cash flow, in additional to worrying about damaging customer relationships and time wasted on chasing payments.

In an attempt to combat this, Worldpay have offered plumbers a few suggestions to help ensure they always get paid on time;

• Offer customers a wider variety of payment methods. Out of the plumbers spoken to that were paid late in the last 12 months, 73% said that automated (ie card) payments are important for maintaining a regular cash flow.
• When in doubt, check your customers' credit history. It costs a small fee, but could provide further information.
• Ensure you have the name and details of the person(s) responsible for paying.
• Make sure you have properly agreed contract terms. Getting proper legal advice from the get-go may seem like a hassle but could save a lot of time and money in the long run.
• Consider charging interest on late payments. Making your customers immediately aware of this should hopefully put them off paying late.

With this advice in mind, attaining that dream of becoming a professional plumber should be one step easier. However before you can even think about businesses and payment options, you're going to need the necessery plumbing skills and the qualifications to prove it. Give Access Training a call on 0800 345 7492 to find out more about our range of intensive plumbing courses.

With the UK becoming more and more aware of dodgy tradespeople thanks to the horror stories reported all over the media (and often on this very blog too!), more has to be done for consumers to be reassured that the people are hiring are honest and fully qualified. The gas industry has the Gas Safe Register, and electricians have any number of competent person schemes - what is there for plumbers?

In previous blog posts last year we introduced WaterSafe - the first plumbing body of its kind. Set up back in October 2013, this national assurance scheme is designed to recognise competent plumbers as well as protect homeowners and plumbing businesses alike. WaterSafe has the backing of all UK water suppliers and water quality regulators, having been developed by all seven existing Approved Contractors' Schemes. Although it hasn't been around long WaterSafe seems to be making a huge impression on the plumbing world, exceeding expectations and targets when it comes to membership figures.

Now WaterSafe have teamed up with BPEC to create a course that ensures plumbers receive all the qualifications required to join the scheme. The specially designed qualification is equivalent to the NVQ Level 2 and Water Regulations certificates - both of which are qualifications we offer here at Access Training Academies. So while the specialised course itself is still rolling out across the country (to date only three training centres in the UK have been given the go-ahead to run it), aspiring plumbers elsewhere should know that we can still offer them the means to eventually become part of this great (and FREE) scheme. 

To find out more about our intensive plumbing courses and the qualifications you'll need to be viewed as an experienced, competent and QUALIFIED plumber, give our course advice team a call on 0800 345 7492. Stamping out rouge tradespeople is something we all need to be a part of, and the first step toward doing that is properly setting them apart from the honest ones in the country such as yourself.