Plumber

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a plumber. The plumber installs, maintains, tests and repairs hot and cold water supply systems, drainage, sewerage and rainwater systems. A qualified learner will be able to: • Install, maintain, test and repair above-ground soil waste and vent systems and sanitary ware appliances at NQF Level 4. • Install, maintain and test below-ground drainage systems and perform basic building work at NQF Level 4. • Install, maintain and test cold water systems and hot water systems at NQF Level 4. • Install, maintain and test rain water systems at NQF Level 4.

The Plumbing Industry Registration Board (PRIB) as a SAQA registered Professional Body has a responsibility to ensure that the skills in the Plumbing industry meet the requirements to provide effective and competent Plumbing services. The industry constituencies identified the need to address new technology within the industry which needed to include all aspects of Plumbing for new construction and installations, maintenance aspects post installation, fault finding and repairs in existing installations and specifically working in accordance with relevant legislation as applied to the industry and specific to the installation of plumbing articles. The learners who will enter this Industry will have varied backgrounds, such as school leavers with relevant qualifications and workers already within the industry. Post the qualification being obtained, the qualified person could work in the plumbing industry (New or Maintenance sector). This qualification resides as one of several in the construction industry and makes allowance for any feeder occupations to gain access to the Plumber occupation. The Plumber qualification also makes provision for people to progress within this discipline to specialisation areas including above-ground soil waste and vent systems and sanitary ware appliances, below-ground drainage systems and performing basic building work, cold water and hot water systems and rain water systems. The main benefits of this qualification for the learner are that the learner has an opportunity to be recognised as a qualified artisan with well-structured, relevant and current competencies and able to have access to entrepreneurial opportunities within the construction environment. The main benefit for the learner will be that he/she will possess a very usable competency whether as an employee or employer. Sanitation is critical to the wellbeing of society in general and the lack or absence thereof will have a very negative impact on society. The economy will grow positively when saving of a scarce resource such as water is managed efficiently by qualified artisans.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: NQF Level 3 qualification equivalent to N2 knowledge areas of Engineering Maths, Science and Building Drawings.

• The ability to install, maintain, test and repair above-ground soil waste and vent systems and sanitary ware appliances.
• The ability to install, maintain, test and repair below-ground drainage systems and performing basic building work.
• The ability to install, maintain, test and repair cold water systems and hot water systems.
• The ability to install, maintain, test and repair rain water systems.