You need some education to become a plumber

One must be registered with the Institute of Plumbing South Africa in order to be recognised as a plumber.

The route towards being a qualified is no walk in the park but it is possible and can pay dividends.

How does one become a qualified plumber?

You must pass a Department of Labour plumbing trade test or at least hold a Construction Education Training Authority (CETA) national certificate in construction plumbing.

For admission as a qualified plumber one must pass at least 46 training modules at a CETA accredited institution. In addition, a trainee plumber must work as an apprentice under the supervision of a qualified plumber for a period of 24 months.

It is after the completion of the apprenticeship that one becomes eligible to take a Department of Labour trade test.

 The cost of apprenticeship training at a CETA accredited institution is in the region of R16 000.

Some companies may fund the training of an apprentice and thereafter claim a deduction from the company’s tax for skills training. This is the most convenient option for someone who does not have money to pay for the training.

The plumbing trade is taken over two days whereby the candidate will be expected to pass five separate plumbing installation tests. Having passed and complied with every requirement the candidate is issued a Department of Labour trade test and becomes a qualified plumber.

On the other if one wants a CETA national certificate, he or she must be employed by a plumbing contractor before entering training. One can then join the CETA programme.

He or she must attend on full-time basis a sixteen-week course and must also pass
23 unit standards in order obtain a certificate. A 24-month practical training under the supervision of a qualified plumber must be completed.

After the completion of both the sixteen-week training and 24-month in-service training, the candidate’s course credits and the employer’s log book are sent to the training provider for verification.

The training provider then sends everything to CETA which issues the trainer with a certificate. The CETA learnership plumber training programme costs R36 980.

A learner can finance the training costs and then claim back a portion of the costs from the CETA. If financed by the employer, the employer can claim deduction on company tax for skills training.

In addition to the two training programmes, there is a section 28 plumber training. This training was designed for people who have been working as assistants in the plumbing industry for more than five years.

For a person to be admitted to take advantage of the latter he must be competent and knowledgeable enough in order to pass a Department of Labour trade test.

Before going for a trade test the candidate is assessed by the CETA for his plumbing hand skills.

In case the candidate fails the hand skills test, he must take section 28 preparation training course before applying for Department of Labour trade test.

There are about 12 CETA accredited training centres in South Africa. For more information about the training centres, the aspirants can find out from the CETA and IOPSA. 

It is up to you to decide what to do after completing your plumbing training. You can work on your own as plumbing contractor or look for employment.