Person soldering copper pipes in the Able Skills construction training centre

For many people, committing to a full-time plumbing course is simply impossible. Traditional construction and trade training wasn’t designed to cater for those who may already be in full-time work or have family responsibilities, meaning the industry could be missing out on potential talent.

To ensure the industry is more accessible to a wider range of people, weekend training is an increasingly common entry route into the sector, with flexible training options available for all levels of plumbing experience.

How long does it take to train as a plumber on a part-time basis? 

The exact timeframe of your course will depend on any prior plumbing experience you may have and the level you wish to train to.  

For those training from a beginner level, our weekend level 2 plumbing course will last 15 weekends over a 30-week period, on a two weekends on, two weekends off basis. 

Home study plumbing courses

There is also the option to complete elements of your plumbing training on a home study basis, which is ideal for those who live far away from a training centre, or who might otherwise struggle to commit to structured patterns of learning around an existing job or caring commitments.

This route means you’ll be able to complete the theory element of your training at home, at your own pace. Only when you’re ready to undertake the practical side of training will you need to attend a training centre. 

Pay in instalments

Along with tailoring your plumbing training to a schedule that fits you, we’ve also made sure payments can be made on a flexible basis. You’ll only need to pay a deposit to begin your training, then you can spread the rest of the cost over more manageable instalments as you progress through the course. 

If you’re interested in learning more about weekend plumbing training our team will be more than happy to help find the right course for you. Drop by the training centre anytime we’re open for a chat, or if you can’t make it in, call us on 01322 280 202.

Editor's note: This article was originally published 27 January 2023. Updated 27 February 2026.