Trades

Plumber

Install and repair water, heating and gas systems in homes and buildings.

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Typical pay: €26k–€50k
Usual education: Apprenticeship friendly
Outlook: Strong; heat pumps and retrofits are adding new work.

A day in the life

First-fix pipework on a new build, fix a leak on an emergency call, service a boiler, and quote for next week's job.

Ways in

Plumbing apprenticeship
Technical college course
Trainee with a local firm

What to study at 16

The subjects you choose for the final years of secondary school can shape which degrees, exams and careers are easiest to reach. This is about choosing courses, not choosing a school.

Spain

FP de Grado Medio

France

Bac professionnel

Germany

Ausbildung (duale Ausbildung)

Poland

Technikum

Ireland

PLC and apprenticeships

Switzerland

EFZ apprenticeship (Lehre)

See related careers

Skills that matter

Safety Awareness Manual Dexterity Problem Solving

Best courses to take

The study routes that lead most directly into this career.

Apprenticeship

Plumbing & Heating NVQ / Apprenticeship

Domestic and commercial systems, gas safety and certification.

Qualifying route with gas certification.

Helpful school subjects: Maths, Design technology

FP Grado Medio

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Grado Medio)

Install and service cooling, heating and ventilation systems — a trade with constant demand.

Shares the pipework and regulation modules plumbers need.

Helpful school subjects: Thermodynamics, Pipework, Regulations