One of the many things that makes a career in the plumbing and heating industries so appealing is the diversity of work that can fall under these umbrellas. 

Especially now, with the emergence and growing adoption of green technologies, the sectors are constantly evolving, making them both exciting and busy industries to be involved with. 

Given how much the plumbing and heating industries have developed in recent years, you may be wondering what typical roles and responsibilities are available to both newcomers and those considering upskilling. 

Plumber

Responsibilities 

  • Installing, repairing and maintaining water, heating and drainage systems
  • Responding to emergency call-outs like floods and broken boilers
  • Cutting, shaping, and joining pipes and fittings
  • Installing solar-powered hot water systems (you may wish to join the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) to prove your competence in this field) 

What qualifications and training do plumbers need?

Like most trades, the three most common entry points for a career in plumbing are via an apprenticeship, college course or through a private training provider. 

Training with an accredited provider is always advisable for anyone looking to get their career in the plumbing industry off to the best possible start. Formal qualifications are also an effective way of reinforcing your skills and know-how to customers and employers. 

You can find out more about the timescales involved with training to be a plumber here. Remember, it’s imperative that plumbers do not take on any kind of work involving gas. 

Gas engineer

Responsibilities 

  • Installing, repairing and servicing gas appliances and heating systems
  • Testing controls and safety devices to ensure functionality
  • Responding to emergency call-outs such as gas leaks
  • Advising customers on gas safety and efficiency
  • Installing green heating alternatives like heat pumps. This may require additional specialist training.

What qualifications and training do gas engineers need?

Before they can legally take on work, a gas engineer must be registered with Gas Safe. To do that, they need to have completed an industry-recognised qualification, such as an NVQ or Managed Learning Programme (MLP), with an accredited provider. Once this initial training is completed, a portfolio of gas work must be compiled while under the supervision of a qualified engineer. 

The engineer must then complete an ACS assessment. Different assessments must be completed, depending on the environment you plan on working in, for example, domestic or commercial. 

Finally, all gas engineers must become members of the Gas Safe Register. Your registration is only applicable to the appliances and environments you have qualified to work with. 

Heating engineer

Responsibilities

  • Fitting, repairing and maintaining heating equipment and pipework 
  • Installing ductwork and ventilation systems
  • Designing and installing heating control panels
  • Understanding how to use natural airflow to reduce reliance on mechanical ventilation systems
  • Suggesting and installing renewable heat sources. This may require additional specialist training depending on your current qualification level. 

What qualifications and training do heating engineers need?

Generally speaking, heating engineers will deal with all aspects of a home or commercial building’s heating system, meaning they’re often expected to work with both gas and non-gas appliances. 

If heating engineers do want the ability to work with gas appliances, then, like gas engineers, they must complete formal training and become a member of the Gas Safe Register.

Is there a crossover between the professions? 

There are frequent crossovers between the plumbing, gas and heating sectors. Many of the systems that each profession works with are often linked, and the skill sets possessed by each can be efficiently transferred between the three trades. 

Due to this, we often see many people beginning their career as a plumber, before going on to obtain their gas qualifications as a way of expanding their services. Given just how popular this progression route is, and how similar many of the skills are, streamlined courses are available to experienced plumbers wanting to add gas engineering to their skill set.

Whether you’re looking to specialise in one specific area, you want to dive straight in and train in both plumbing and gas, or you’re already working in one of the sectors above, Able Skills offers a range of courses to suit all levels of experience. Find information on all of our plumbing courses here, and all of our gas courses here.