Apprenticeship ยท Level 6 ยท Construction

Plumbing

Plumbers install, maintain and repair water supply, drainage and heating systems in homes and other buildings. It suits practical people who like problem solving and variety.

How apprenticeships work: you are hired by an approved employer and paid while you learn, mixing work with blocks of training in a college or training centre. You don't apply through the CAO and you don't need CAO points.

Key facts

How long
4 years (7 phases: 4 on-the-job, 3 off-the-job)
Award
QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft โ€“ Plumbing
Where you train
  • National training centres and colleges (ETBs, TUs)
Pay
Salary from your employer on-the-job (rate agreed with employer); training allowance from your ETB during off-the-job phases
Costs
Student contribution of โ‚ฌ1,000 for Phase 4 and โ‚ฌ1,000 for Phase 6 (two off-the-job phases are in a higher education institution)

Entry requirements

  • Must be hired by an approved employer
  • Enough English to take part in training and assessment (e.g. Junior Cycle, Leaving Cert or Leaving Cert Applied, or equivalent proof)
  • Must pass the Ishihara Colour Vision Test (24 Plate Edition)
  • Full eligibility is in the apprenticeship brochure

How to apply

You must be hired by an approved employer. Search vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs page on apprenticeship.ie or ask your local ETB.

Official page on apprenticeship.ie โ†—

What you'll learn

  • Cut, bend, join and fix pipes in copper, plastic, lead, aluminium and iron
  • Install central heating, sanitary, drainage and rainwater systems
  • Test systems to make sure they are safe and efficient
  • Do servicing and emergency repairs
  • Work with gas, oil, solar, geothermal and biomass heating

Where it can lead

  • Self-employed plumber in private homes
  • Contractor in industrial and commercial buildings
  • Engineer, manager, business owner, teacher or instructor

Useful Leaving Cert subjects

Construction Studies, Engineering, Technology

These help with the content of the programme; they are not entry requirements unless listed above.

Other Construction apprenticeships

Not sure which route suits you?

Our CAO Interest Test matches you to course areas, and now shows apprenticeships and tertiary degrees in your strongest areas too.

Take the CAO Interest Test โ†’ Try the free 3-minute test

Information from apprenticeship.ie, checked November 2026. Details can change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.