City & Guilds 6129 Part time Plumbing course

This part-time City & Guilds 6129 level 2 plumbing course is aimed at new entrants wanting to gain formal plumbing qualifications, but at the same time it offers part-time plumbing course flexibility to those wishing to remain in work while learning plumbing.

The plumbing course is run at PPL's plumbing training centre in York on Tuesday evenings from 7pm until 10pm. The plumbing course also offers flexible weekend training and assessment, together with the option of 'dropping' into the plumbing training centre on weekdays if this is convenient. Once the 6129 plumbing technical certificate has been achieved there is the option of completing the NVQ 2 in plumbing by taking the City & Guilds 6089 Plumbing NVQ, which is assessed onsite. Once a student has gained the 6129 and 6089 they are can be classed as a qualified plumber to level 2 NVQ.

People with limited practical trade experience may gain from taking the Weekend Introduction plumbing course first, although no prior qualifications or experience in plumbing are necessary. If you are considering becoming a plumber then you may wish to see our train to be a plumber page before reviewing this course.

The course starts with basic pipe work skills and moves onto more complex plumbing tasks including airing cupboards, bathroom suites, above ground drainage, central heating installation (no gas/oil), lead work and low carbon steel pipework. It also includes 2 extra qualifications; LOGIC Water Regulations, LOGIC Unvented Hot Water, together with business lectures, tiling and plastering courses.

All part-time plumbing course students receive a comprehensive plumbing theory study pack.

The course also contains regular demonstrations, topics include; power flushing, pipe freezing, floorboard lifting, tap maintenance and many more relevant skills. Students also receive a free tool kit and safety equipment pack. This contains all the tools and safety equipment they will need on the course. It is yours to keep at the end of the course.

Included free of charge is our 2 Day Pre-part foundation electrics course. This course is aimed at people with limited or no previous electrical experience. It lays the electrical theory and practical foundations for taking the Bpec Defined Scope Part P course or the Bpec Full Scope Part P course. After successfully completing a Part P course and registering with a Part P scheme the person will be able to legally offer electrical work in domestic dwellings together with their plumbing work.  The majority of plumbers are asked to carry out minor electrical work such as installing electric showers, central heating wiring or lighting circuits in bathrooms. This work can be sub-contracted out but it means you will be dependant on a sparky turning up.  It is much better to be able to offer the work yourself once you are competent and qualified to do so.

All students can choose between:

• 9 month Train now pay later payment plan or
• Electrical Training Package or
• Renewable Training Package

On sucessfully completing the course there is the opportunity of a one week placement with the plumbing company On Tap UK Ltd or a local plumbing company in your area. ON Tap UK Ltd may offer you permanent employment based on your performance on the placement. This part of the course is optional and subject to availability*

After qualifying with PPL, you will be able to join Concept's network of sub-contracting insurance claims repair specialists. This work is "recession proof" in dealing with insurance repair work such as flood damage, fire damage, burst pipes, etc.  Concept has 138 offices throughout the UK and as a PPL trained plumber, you will join a long established sub-contracting network while enjoying top rates of pay for small and large insurance jobs.

*The optional work placement cannot be guaranteed for students taking our  Buy Now Pay later payment plan. Please see our terms and conditions for more details.

The next start-date for this part-time plumbing course:

Tuesday 3rd February 2009.

Places are limited to 9 people so please book early...

Please have a look at the theory overview tab.

City & Guilds 6129 Part-time Plumbing course theory overview:

The plumbing theory course is taught in our modern, well equipped plumbing training rooms and the lively and interactive sessions cover the following topics.

The part-time plumbing course runs from 7pm until 10pm. The first hour is theory lecture with the remaining 2 hours spent in the workshop. There are certain longer assessments which need to be completed on a weekend either a Saturday or Sunday when convenient.

Module 1 -  Induction to the Course
Course program, registration for the 6129 level 2,  introductions, general procedures for training and assessment.

Module 2 - Health and Safety
The construction industry can be a dangerous place.  It is important to know what hazards you may face and how to avoid injury to yourself and others.

Module 3 - Key Plumbing Principles
Basic processes within plumbing involving hand tools, plumbing materials and science

Module 4 - Common Plumbing Processes
Copper tube bending and marking out, pipework materials and various fixing devices.  Using a spring and machine bender.  Compression and plastic fittings.

Module 5 - Being Self-employed
Taught in an evening session, this module covers all the key aspects of being self-employed; tax, VAT, cash flow, marketing and other useful topics to give you the skills required to be a self-employed plumber.

Module 6 - Marketing your Business
This module covers more specific marketing and quoting. Job pricing, debt collecting, gaining local trade links, expanding your business and working on site are just some of the topics covered.

Module 7 - Cold Water Systems
The supply of water to dwellings, water treatment, water regulations. Cold water pipework inside buildings, storage cisterns, draining down and flushing pipework.

Module 8 - Hot Water Systems
Hot water services within dwellings. Properties of hot water, types of hot water systems, air locks,  combination boilers and storage systems.

Module 9 - Central Heating Systems
The module covers all types of common central heating system components and controls (no gas pipework only). Includes fault finding and water pipework maintenance.

Module 10 - Environmental Awareness
Environmental awareness is an understanding of why it is important to conserve energy, dispose of waste properly and prevent wastage of materials.

Module 11 - Effective Working Relationships
The construction industry and working on sites.

Module 12 - LOGIC Water Regulations (WRAS Approved)
Evening examination for the industry standard LOGIC Water regulations Certificate.

Module 13 -  Basic Plastering
Covers plastering techniques in repairing skimmed surfaces and plastering tools.

Module 14 - Basic Tiling
Comprehensive tiling theory with workshop time to practice tiling splash backs and repairing broken tiles.

Module 15 - Above Ground Drainage
Covers traps, sanitary systems, soundness, drains and gutter systems.

Module 16 - Basic Electrical Systems
Covers the required basic electrical theory for the 6129 electrical examination

Module 17 - LOGIC Unvented Hot Water  (WRAS Approved)
This is an additional one day course which is taken after successful completion of the 4 week course. It covers the theory and practical required to sit the Bpec Unvented Hot Water examination.  Unlike  some  centres it is done when  you  are experienced and ready, not within 4 weeks.

Module 18 - Pre-part P Foundation Electrical course (2 days)
This free extra 2 day course will give students foundation electrical theory and practical in preparation for taking the Bpec Part P electrical courses.

Students wishing to gain pre or post course study may wish to browse our plumbing course bookshop.

Please take a moment to look at the Practical Overview tab. 

*PPL Training Ltd. reserve the right to change the contents of any of its courses without notice, some modules may be combined with others for lecturing purposes and others may consist of handouts for student self-study to allow more practical time in the workshop.

City & Guilds 6129 Part-time Plumbing course practical overview:

6129 Part-time Practical sessions:

The plumbing practical sessions take place in our modern 8,500 sq feet training centre. After progressing through basic pipework skills, students aim to complete 60 practical assessments in plumbing and 11 multiple choice theory papers.

We have a trainer to student ratio of 1:9 in the workshop sessions.

There are NVQ Assessors on hand to mark your work to City and Guilds standards. You will be asked to prepare a City and Guilds 6129 level 2 log for each task including materials list, pipe diagrams and the work you have done. This is then signed off by our NVQ assessors and will count to your 6129 level 2. It is also possible to include digital photos within the portfolio which can be shown to future employers or customers.  These are signed by qualified assessors so your future employer or customers can be assured that you have reached the required standard.

A full list of practical and theory tasks for the part-time City & Guilds 6129 Basic Plumbing Certificate level 2 can be downloaded by clicking on the icon below (opens in a new window or right click on icon and 'Save As' to a location on your computer):

 Click here to download the 6129 plumbing course task sheet (1.1MB) 

It will open in a separate webpage if you have a pdf reader installed on your PC/MAC.  If you do not have a pdf reader please visit the link below to get a free copy:

Please see our FAQs section for more information on the part-time City & Guilds 6129 Plumbing course.

City & Guilds 6129 Part-time Plumbing course, FAQs:

Key course facts:

Start date: Tuesday 3rd February 2009 at 7pm

Course times: Every Tuesday evening from 7pm until 10pm 
Course duration: Up to 24 weeks including some weekends when convenient  for student
Flexible training: Yes, weekends and full weekdays if available
Payment: £350 Deposit payable on booking, balance in instalments
Assessment: Closed book multiple choice (11) and practical assessments (60)
Valid for: Lifetime

Q - Do you have open days so I can visit the centre?

A - Yes of course! You may visit our centre at any time, just phone and we will book you an appointment.  Unlike some centres we encourage you to talk to our current 6129 plumbing students whilst you are here.

Q - Do you offer a work placement after I have completed the course?

A - Yes, on successful completion of the part-time plumbing course you will have the opportunity of a one week placement with plumbing company On Tap UK Ltd or a local PPL trained plumber in your area. This part of the course is optional.

Q - I have no qualifications, do I need any to take the City & Guilds 6129 part-time plumbing course?

A - Our trainees come from a wide range of backgrounds. You don’t need any qualifications, just a willingness to learn and a good sense of humour.

Q - What happens if I cannot make an evening session?

A - You can rejoin the course the week after or make up time at a weekend for no extra charge.

Q - What type of assessments are they for the 6129 at PPL?

A - Multiple choice examinations (11) and practical assessments (60)

Q - What about support after the course?

A - We provide a free help line for technical support with any plumbing questions you may encounter. You can also email us plans/diagrams of installations with any questions you have.

Q - What happens if I fail to complete within the 24 weeks?

A - You can stay as long as you wish until you finish for no extra charges.

Q - I have difficulty reading and writing, can you help?

A - Yes, we will give you private one to one support and additional time, but not the answers!

Q - How do I get more information about the City & Guilds 6129 part-time plumbing course?

A - Call us on 0845 2600 966 or request a brochure pack

Q- How do I book a place on the City & Guilds 6129 part-time plumbing course?

A - Book online for your chosen date or call us on 0845 2600 966.

Q- Where do people come from to take City & Guilds 6129 part time Plumbing course with LOGIC?

A - We train people from all over the UK for the City & Guilds 6129 part time plumbing course with LOGIC; York, Leeds, Newcastle, Barnsley, Hull, Sheffield, Manchester, Scunthorpe, Nottingham, Chesterfield, Stockport, Liverpool, Bolton, Oldham, Warrington, Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Halifax, Harrogate, Derby, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Darlington, Rotherham, Doncaster, Nottingham, Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, Humberside, Grimsby, Cleveland, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Lincoln, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Northern England, Midlands, Birmingham, West Midlands; they come from national plumbing and heating companies, self-employed plumbers, builders, gas engineers, solar electrical engineers and renewable energy engineers, London, South East, Bristol, Birmingham, UK.

For more general frequently asked questions please see our main FAQ page or call us on 0845 2600 966.