We are all aware of Plumbers. We call them when we need them. They do their job and leave. They are very common. But none of us have ever thought about taking a plumber Job. That is because most of us consider ourselves as highly educated and a plumbing career as too low or menial for us.
Here is an eye opener for those of us who want to pursue plumbing as a career.
What is a Plumber?
Plumbers are skilled laborers who install and maintain pipes and other water systems in residential and commercial buildings. They handle various aspects of installing and maintaining plumbing systems. So, if you have an inclination in pipe fitting career, fixing things and interacting with people, then plumbing career is well suited for you.
Types of Plumbers
Plumbers are of different types depending on their job functions.
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Commercial Plumber
Commercial plumbing involves extensive and large-scale waste removal procedures and water removal procedures and water system procedures and water system installations for large businesses. It involves excavating trenches and drains and putting in pipelines which are then linked to main buildings and the local water reserves as well as the sewage systems.
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Residential Plumber
Residential plumbers are strictly involved in small scale residential plumbing jobs. They mostly carry out the procedures of pipe system installations in residential homes. They also ensure that the water systems, pipes and toilets in homes are functioning properly. They also repair and service plumbing systems, in houses and residential flats. In short, they are plumbers for small jobs.
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Service and repair plumber
All the maintenance and repairs of plumbing systems are done by a service and repair plumber at homes and commercial business. These experts reduce pressure, leakages, cleaning and servicing. They specialize in regular leakages and clogging issues. Service and repair plumbers are technically trained and are experienced in problem-solving and fixing reduced plumbers.
Job Description of Plumbers
Plumber’s job is to perform diagnostic, installation and repair of plumbing systems used in gas, air, and water distribution and air conditioning systems (HVAC). They also install plumbing fixtures such as bathtubs, sinks, and toilets and appliances, including dishwashers and washing machines. They also train apprentices and supervise helpers. Their job description includes:
Planning
Plumbers interpret blueprints and building specifications to map layout for pipes, drainage systems, and other plumbing materials.
Installation
The task of a plumber is to install pipes and fixtures, such as sinks and toilets, for water, gas, gas, steam, air , equipment, and fixtures prior to installation. He is also responsible for installing heating and air-conditioning systems, including water heaters.
Testing
A plumber is responsible for testing plumbing systems for leaks and other problems.He analyses and identifies appropriate tools and material for repair. He also chooses plumbing materials based on budget, location and intended uses of the building and performs inspections of plumbing systems to identify and replace worn parts.
Supervision
The plumber oversees other workers, such as apprentices and helpers. He prepares bids and schedules for them. He also has lay guidelines for health and safety standards and complies with building codes. A plumber writes a report documenting a problem and action taken to save it. He also has to collaborate with contractors, construction workers, electricians, pipe fitters, and steam fitters in installing and repairing plumbing.
Skills required to become a Plumber
To become a plumber, you must require a certain set of skills. These skills will help you in progressing in your career path to become a successful plumber. Some of the essential skills required to become a plumber are given below.
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Technical Skills
Sound technical knowledge helps plumbers to fix things, solve problems and take better and informed decisions. They must have an excellent working knowledge of machinery and tools like wrenches. Pipe cutters, hacksaws, bending instruments, grips. Seals and tapes. Plumbers are required to make accurate measurements, calculations, and specifications, to ensure that projects are completed efficiently and safely within a given deadline period.
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Physical Skills
Plumbers have to be physically fit and capable for a plumbing job as it requires flexibility, physical strength, excellent motor skills and good vision. Plumbers often have to work in dark spaces and with small tools like gauges.
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Analytical Skills
Plumbers have to analyze how systems like water supply and sanitation works. They must be able to determine how changes in conditions and parameters affect outcomes. They also have to conduct tests and inspections to determine the cause of errors and make detailed plans to rectify them.
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Critical Thinking
Plumbers have to study the advantages and disadvantages of possible solutions, conclusions and approaches to solve problems. People who want to become plumbers must have the ability to use logic and common sense.
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Administrative skills.
Plumbers are often required to track expenses, make inventories, order supplies and plan project calendars. From time to time a plumber needs to prepare and submit reports and explain those to clients or supervisors.
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Problem-Solving Skills
Plumbers must have an ability to identify the root cause of the problem and provide realistic solutions. Plumbers must be able to solve complex problems within short time frames in ongoing projects. This requires them to think creatively and logically.
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Communication Skills
Since plumes are required to work with a wide variety of people in a project, they must have good communication skills. They must be able to communicate effectively with assistants, managers, business owners, materials suppliers and homeowners. They should be able to convert their thoughts in an articulate manner while delivering professional messages. They also must be able to explain complicated ideas in easy language so people are able to understand them easily.
How can you become a Plumber?
Plumbing is a highly skilled profession and thus requires certain skills and training. Of course, you must also attain some qualifications to work as a plumber. Although it is not necessary to get a training or degree in plumbing to work, still, it can help you learn skills and work knowledge.
Eligibility to become a Plumber
Candidates must pass 10th in any stream with 60 percent required to get admissions in some of the reputed institutions. The aspirants have to take an entrance exam to get admission or diploma course in plumbing. There are some institutions that provide admission on the marks obtained in the qualifying exam. They even provide admission on a first come first serve basis.
Here are a few of the steps that you need to take to become a plumber.
1. Get higher secondary school education
Some companies prefer their candidates to have completed their higher secondary education. Plumbers should have a basic understanding of science, technology and mathematics. Also, they must have a good command of computer-aided drafting tools.
2. Pursue Vocational training in plumbing
Vocational education provides training to candidates for jobs that involve manual or practical activities. Vocational courses are typically non-academic and related to specific trades, occupations and vocations. However, these are technical education, as the student develops skill-sets that can help him as a plumber.
3. Work as an Apprentice Plumber
After getting vocational training from a vocational college, you can also get work experience by taking apprentice plumber jobs under the guidance of an experienced practitioner in the field. You get an opportunity to receive on the job training and learn about regulations and codes, procedures and specialized skills related to the trade as an apprentice plumber.
4. Get plumbing certification by a competent authority
Having a certification as a plumber shows to potential employers that you have knowledge to install and repair gas, waste, and water pipes safely.
The Indian Plumbing Skills Council or IPSC provides certifications in plumbing that hold value in the market. IPSC training partners give you excellent training under different schemes. The candidates are eligible to get different job roles as a plumber as per international standard after they get an IPSC certification.
The duration of training is one year with two semesters. The training helps you to gain knowledge of topics like installing or maintaining heating systems; repairing sanitation systems; fitting domestic appliances; installing air-conditioning units; fitting bathrooms and emergency repairs.
5. Gain work experience
You can continue to work as a practitioner and gain experience, once you get your plumbing certification. It will help you in learning more about the trade. Also, you will develop new skills and stay updated on best practices in the field. This will help you advance in your career paths with higher pay and more benefit.
Top ten Plumbing courses in India
Here is the table of plumbing courses in India along with the duration and cost of the course.
| Institute Name | City | Course Name | Duration | Course Fees |
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Bharat Technical
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Jamshedpur Institute | Plumber course | – | – |
| MEP Center | Hyderabad | PLUMBER LEVEL-1 | 30 Days | – |
| Indian Institute of Plumbing Technique
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Bhubaneswar
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Diploma in Plumbing
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12 months
|
– |
| Dimensional Academy
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Plumbing and Fire Fighting
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12 months
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Rs.50000
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| ASMACS Skill development Training
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Andhra Pradesh
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Plumber (General) Training
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3 months
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– |
| Delhi Institute of Vocational Training Center
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Delhi
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Diploma in Plumbing
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12 months
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– |
| Softcon Training
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Delhi
|
Plumbing
|
– | – |
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WQC Institute of MEP
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Kochi
|
Plumbing
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70 hours
|
– |
The cost of completing a plumbing course in India from any of these institutes is about Rs 50,000. The duration of the course is about 3 to 12 months.
The Scope of Plumber in India
As a plumber in India, you have a wide scope in employability ranging from self-employment, contractual employment, to Industrial jobs. On successful completion of the above courses the candidates can easily be absorbed in the industry in the following occupations.
- Plumber, General
- Plumber, Operations
- Plumber, General Installations and Repair
- Plumber, General Helper
- Plumber, General Assistant
- Plumber, Maintenance and Service Assistant
- Plumber, Maintenance and servicing
- Pipe Layer/Plumber Pipeline
- Pipe Fitter
- Plumber and Pipefitters
- Plumber welder/Plumbing (Sanitary fixtures), Fitter assistant
- Plumber (Welder) Assistant
- Plumber (E/M Mechanic)
- International Comparability
Career Path growth for plumber
The Plumbing career path progression is well defined and is directly related to his skills, ability to learn and experience.
Junior Plumber
Plumbers with less than one year of experience fall under the category of junior plumbers. They work in residentials homes. These plumbers slowly and slowly gain experience and work knowledge through training by working on apprenticeships and residential jobs like on new apprenticeships and residential jobs like on construction sites, housing schemes and home renovations. They acquire skills working under senior plumbers and get hands-on experience. Their average starting salary is about Rs5000 per month.
Senior Plumber
Once the plumber gains skill and work experience they fall under the category of senior plumber. They are skilled professionals who work in large commercial settings like schools, universities, factories, shopping malls and manufacturing plants. Senior plumbers are responsible for the installation and repair of pipes and tanks in commercial and industrial establishments. Their average starting salary is around Rs 10,000 per month.
Salary of Plumbers
The plumber employment nature may be contractual or permanent. Plumbing contractors who take up large contracts are paid on a contract basis. Their earning depends upon the size and duration of the contract.
The average salary of a plumber working in a company is Rs 17,165 per month or Rs 2,42,433 per month.
An apprentice plumber earns about Rs 15,402 per month or Rs 2,84,602 per month.
Here are a few of the jobs related to plumbing.
Plumbing Engineer
A plumbing engineer is a certified professional engineer who designs water, sanitation and drainage systems for residential and commercial buildings. The average salary for a plumbing engineer is Rs 22,292 per month or Rs 3,14,853 per month.
Plumbing Drain Technician
Plumbing technicians working in drains are responsible for the installation and maintenance of drainage components used in sanitation systems. They access designs. They install drainage systems and maintain them. They do repair work. Their average salary is Rs 15,870 per month or Rs 2,24,152 per year.
Installer
Installers provide customers with operating instructions. They travel to customer’s houses or businesses to install equipment, suggest areas for installation, troubleshoot and provide customers with operating instructions. The average salary of an Installer is Rs16,092 per month or Rs 2,27,276 per year.
Besides the above jobs, you can get plumber government jobs in undertakings like the Public Works Department (PWD). You can also get plumber government jobs in railways.
The Future Job Outlook for Plumber
As per the Bureau of Labor statistics the demand for plumber in the job market is expected to grow over 14 percent till year 2028. This means that plumber is in short supply and high demand which leads to the fact that there are more plumber jobs available.
A shortage of qualified plumbers is expected to create more employment opportunities. The Plumbing career outlook is bright. This can be attributed to the fact that there is a tremendous growth in the construction and building renovation industry. For example Bathroom remodeling should generate more demand for plumbers. Plumbing Job seekers with the welding experience will enjoy further prospects.
The construction of new septic tanks and water waste treatment plants will create more demand for plumbers. Similarly raising the efficiency standards for toilets and showerheads and rules for home and business sprinkler systems will create more job opportunities for plumbers.