Free Level 2 Plumbing Course in Manchester – The Manchester College Openshaw Campus

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body

About this course

Free Level 2 Diploma Plumbing Course in Manchester. Classes run full-time during the day at The Manchester College Openshaw Campus. The course takes one year and covers hot and cold water supplies, sanitation, domestic heating, and health and safety within building services. You'll build practical skills and working knowledge across a wide range of plumbing areas. Entry requires a grade 3 or above in English and maths GCSE, or Level 2 Functional Skills, or an equivalent. If you don't hold these, the centre will carry out an assessment to confirm you're ready for Level 2 work.

Who this course is for

If you’re thinking about a career as a plumber and would like to start developing your skills in this industry, then this Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing is the perfect place to begin. You’ll cover all the basics of plumbing and start building up your knowledge for success.

During the course, you’ll learn about a wide variety of areas within plumbing and domestic heating, as you develop your skills and a solid working knowledge of the industry. You’ll look at the basics of hot and cold water supplies and focus on sanitation as a core part of your role as a plumber. Part of the diploma will also include health and safety within building services and engineering.

Although this diploma will not enable you to work as a fully qualified plumber initially, it will give you the opportunity to progress onto the Level 3 qualification with us.

What you will learn

  • You'll learn the fundamentals of hot and cold water supply systems.
  • You'll develop knowledge of sanitation systems and their role in plumbing work.
  • You'll study domestic heating systems and how they operate.
  • You'll cover health and safety requirements within building services and engineering.
  • You'll practise practical plumbing tasks to required national standards.
  • You'll build a working knowledge of the plumbing and domestic heating industry.

How you will learn

You'll be assessed through a mix of practical task completion to required national standards, written assignments, and online examinations. Teaching is classroom based with hands-on practical work. Full-time daytime attendance at The Manchester College Openshaw Campus means you cover the full programme over one year.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. The Manchester College Openshaw Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Plumbing apprentice: how to become a plumber starts here, working under supervision.
  • Domestic plumber: installing and maintaining water and heating systems in homes.
  • Heating engineer assistant: supporting installation of domestic heating systems.
  • Building services operative: general plumbing and services work on construction sites.
  • Maintenance plumber: reactive repairs and upkeep in residential or commercial properties.

What you could study next

This diploma is a stepping stone toward the Level 3 qualification you'll need to work as a fully qualified plumber. A Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating is the standard route for a skilled-worker CSCS card and independent practice. The Manchester College Openshaw Campus offers progression to Level 3, and other providers also deliver this qualification.

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