Pipe Fitter

Typical Salary

£20,000 To £40,000

Typical Hours

46 to 48 a week

between 8am and 6pm away from home

How To Become a Pipe Fitter

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role

College / University

You can do a college course, which may help you to get a trainee pipe fitter's job. Courses include:

Level 2 Diploma in Engineering
Level 2 Certificate in Welding
Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing and Heating
Level 3 Diploma in Building Services Engineering

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

The following apprenticeships are relevant to this role:

Level 3 Engineering pipe fitter
Level 3 Engineering construction pipe fitter
Level 3 Pipe welder

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You might start as an general engineering operative or engineering craft worker, and learn and train on the job to become a pipe fitter.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
knowledge of building and construction
knowledge of engineering science and technology
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
design skills and knowledge
the ability to work well with your hands
the ability to work well with others
the ability to use your initiative
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

In your day-to-day tasks you may:

plan how to do a job based on engineering designs
make or modify parts in a workshop
assemble components ready for installation
install and join pipework using bolting and welding methods
carry out planned maintenance checks
find and fix faults
respond to emergency call-outs

Working Environment

You could work in a factory or at a manufacturing plant.

Your working environment may be cramped.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career Path & Progression

You could be promoted to supervisor or become an engineering workshop manager. You could also work in welding inspection and quality control.

With further training, you may have opportunities to move into insulation work, or engineering design where you'll draw up pipework installation plans.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Registration

you'll need an industry safety certificate like the Client Contractor National Safety Group (CCNSG) Safety Passport Scheme for many jobs

Further information

You can find out more about pipe fitting from Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) Careers and the Building and Engineering Services Association.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.