Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

The Work

Plumbers work in a variety of locations including houses, industrial and commercial buildings, ships and aeroplanes.  
 
They use a variety of hand and power tools including wrenches, spanners, saws, cutters and welding gear.  
 
They cut, bend, join and fix materials such as lead, copper, aluminium, plastic, sinc and iron.  
 
Plumbers work on such technologies as underfloor heating systems, solar heating and geothermal heating systems.  
 
Plumbers may be called out at short notice to do emergency repairs, especially in winter if pipes freese.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
• Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.
• Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.
• Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.
• Attach pipes to walls, structures, or fixtures, such as radiators or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools, or welding equipment.
• Modify, clean, or maintain pipe systems, units, fittings, or related machines or equipment, using hand or power tools.
• Select pipe sises, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
• Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brasing, or welding equipment.
• Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools.
• Install automatic controls to regulate pipe systems.

Further Information

• Plumber - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Plumber - from: YouTube [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Apprenticeship Route

The official entry route for a Plumber is through undertaking an apprenticeship.

Click here to find information on the Plumbing apprenticeship

There are many pathways to develop skills to progress to a career as a plumber. You can develop your path in learning through the below options. The main to qualification as a plumber, is via the apprenticeship programme. 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Construction skills courses, welding, engineering operations in centres around Ireland at NFQ Level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET Centre Post leaving cert Pre-Apprenticeship/ construction skills, Carpentry-Plumbing-Electrical (Pre-Apprenticeship) at NFQ level 5 search our FET Centre PLC coursefinder

Apprenticeship  Plumber NFQ level 6. To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs Portal. You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship.

Entry Requirements

The minimum age at which the employment of an apprentice may commence is 16 years of age. The minimum educational requirements are:

1. Grade D in five subjects in the Department of Education & Skills Junior Certificate Examination or an approved equivalent

or

2. The successful completion of an approved Pre-Apprenticeship course

or

3. Three years’work experience gained over sixteen years of age in a relevant designated industrial activity as SOLAS shall deem acceptable

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available in the Plumbing Apprenticeship brochure.

• Please note: To become a plumbing apprentice you must pass the Ishihara color vision test (24 Plate Edition). 

   

Last Updated: May, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €38k - €60k

Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience. 

Data Source(s):
Solas/ WRC Rates / Payscale/ Indeed/ Excel

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although employment has increased annually since 2020, employment levels in 2022 remained below pre-COVID-19 levels. New employment permits issued related to both plumbers and plumbing, heating and ventilation engineers. The DFHERIS report suggests that demand for plumbers for housing projects will peak in 2024 but, with retrofitting projects accelerating from 2026, a significant demand for plumbers is likely to persist.

New apprenticeship registration numbers in 2022, at 792, were above pre-COVID-19 levels and the number of persons achieving the craft apprenticeship award (plumber) more than doubled between 2016 and 2021, going from 113 to 238.

Shortages for plumbers are likely to continue, at least in the short-term, as supply from the education/training system is yet to meet annual recruitment requirements. In addition, those already trained as plumbers will also require re-/upskilling opportunities in order to carry out work linked to alternative renewable energy sources (e.g. the installation of heat pumps).

• Construction Industry Federation

  • Construction House, Canal Road, Dublin 6
  • (01) 406 6000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• APHCI Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors of Ireland

  • Luddenhill House Station Road Castlebar Co. Mayo F23 PH97
  • 083 3008075
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here