Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer

Kaiwhakarerewai, Kaiwhakarerekorohū, Kaiwhakatakoto Paipa Wai

This job is sometimes referred to by alternative titles

Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers assemble, install and repair pipes, drains and fixtures and fittings that supply water and gas or remove waste.

Pay

Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers usually earn

$16-$38 per hour

Source: Careers New Zealand research, 2016.

Job opportunities

Chances of getting a job as a plumber, gasfitter and/or drainlayer are good due to high demand for their services.

Length of training

2-4

2-4 years of training required

About the job

Current job prospects

Chances of getting a job as a plumber, gasfitter and/or drainlayer are good due to high demand for their services.

Pay

Pay for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers depends on experience.

Apprentice/trainee plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers usually start on the training or adult minimum wage. This increases as they progress through their apprenticeship, gain skills and unit standards, and take on more responsibility.
Newly licensed plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers usually earn about $25 an hour.
Licensed and experienced plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers can earn between $28 and $38 an hour.

People specialising as drainlayers typically earn a little less than plumbers and gasfitters.

Sources: ATT, 2016; Careers New Zealand research, June 2016.

(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the figures and diagrams in our job information)

What you will do

Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers may do some or all of the following:

measure, cut and shape pipes
install, join and seal pipes and fittings
install and maintain hot water and heating systems such as hot water tanks, central heating, gas heaters and heat pumps
lay or repair drains, and get consents from local councils to do the work
install and repair roofing pipes and spouting
replace or repair damaged or blocked water, sewerage and gas pipes
install fixtures such as gas stoves, toilets, basins, septic tanks and air-conditioning systems
run their own business.

Skills and knowledge

Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers need to have:

knowledge of plumbing and drainage materials and methods
skill in interpreting designs, plans and instructions
knowledge of building and safety regulations
knowledge of the Building Code in relation to plumbing, gasfitting and drainage
soldering and welding skills
some knowledge of electrical systems.

Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers who are self-employed also need business skills.

Working conditions

Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers:

usually work regular business hours, but may be required to work evenings and weekends, or be on call
work in homes, offices, commercial and industrial buildings, schools, hospitals, and on building sites and farms
may work outdoors in all weathers, and in conditions that can be dirty, messy, smelly, cold, wet, hot or confined
travel locally to job sites.

What's the job really like?

Josh Boyce

Plumber

Plumbing is not all dirt and muck

"A lot of people think plumbing is all blocked toilets, but the whole time I've been doing my apprenticeship I've only had to unblock two or three, so it's not all dirt and muck," says plumber Josh Boyce.

"Most of the time you're working on putting pipes in new houses, renovating older houses or working on commercial job sites, which is actually pretty clean work."

Working with copper pipes is Josh's favourite part of the job

While Josh can't name a part of the job he dislikes, he does have some favourites. "I love working with copper pipes, doing the brazing and welding with copper. That's when you heat it so it melts to join two pieces together. When you take pride in your work it really shows with copper. It's almost a shame to cover up the walls!"

As for the future, Josh is looking to work overseas. "One of the best things about a plumbing and gasfitting apprenticeship is that plumbers and gasfitters are needed everywhere, not just all over New Zealand. I can see the world and earn money while I'm doing it."

Ben talks about life as a plumber - 1.11 mins. (Video courtesy of Got a Trade? Got it Made!)

View transcript

So when I decided to start my apprenticeship, it was from day one I knew I made the right choice. Day one was basically get in there, start working with another guy and learn from there.

Being hands-on has massive appeal for what I looked for in a job. I meet 10 different people every day and I work with sparkies, electricians, builders. You’re never stuck on the same job, I might be re-doing this kitchen today and then tomorrow I’m working on a commercial boiler unit. We just go out and solve problems and we come up with solutions, and it takes a bit to get there but once you’re there there’s so many options.

I definitely feel a few steps ahead of my peers. I know I have a lot of people who look at me and see, “Oh look, he’s got the house, he’s got the car, he’s all sorted, ready to rock-in-roll”, and that’s just the way it is when you’re earning and learning.

My name’s Ben, I’ve got a trade and I’ve got it made.

How to enter the job

Entry requirements

To become a plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer, you need to:

complete an apprenticeship and gain National Certificates (Level 4) in plumbing and/or gasfitting (this usually takes four years) and/or drainlaying (two years). The Skills Organisation oversees plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer apprenticeships.
be registered with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.

A driver's licence is also useful.

ATT and Masterlink employ, train and place apprentices.

Secondary education

NCEA Level 2 in English, maths, science, technical drawing and/or workshop technology is useful.

For Year 11 to 13 students, Gateway offers a plumbing programme that can be done while still at school.

Year 11 and 12 students can learn more about the construction industry and gain relevant skills by doing a National Certificate in Building, Construction and Allied Trades (Levels 1 and 2) through the BConstructive programme.

These programmes may help you gain an apprenticeship, but do not reduce the amount of time it takes to complete it.

Personal requirements

Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers need to be:

patient and accurate, with an eye for detail
safety-conscious
skilled in using and caring for equipment
good communicators
organised, able to follow instructions and skilled at problem-solving
able to work independently or in a team.

Useful experience

Useful experience for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers includes:

work as a drainlayer's assistant
work in the building or heating and ventilation industries
welding and sheet metal work
work as a boiler maker.

Physical requirements

Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers need to be fit, healthy and reasonably strong, as some lifting is involved. They need to be comfortable working at heights or in small confined spaces.

Registration

Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers must be registered with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board and hold a practising licence.

Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board - information on registration and licensing

Interested in exploring this job further?

Careers New Zealand is working with the New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB) to investigate the demand for a matchmaking scheme to help secondary school students easily explore jobs in the construction sector. To help us understand the demand for this proposed scheme, please take part in the two-minute survey.

Survey Monkey website - complete the two-minute survey

Find out more about training

ATT: 0800 187 878 - www.att.org.nz
Masterlink: 0800 502 102 - www.masterlink.co.nz
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board: 0800 743 262 - registrar@pgdb.co.nz - www.pgdb.co.nz
The Skills Organisation: 0508 754 557 - support@skills.org.nz -www.skills.org.nz

Check out related courses

Job opportunities

What are the chances of getting a job?

Opportunities for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers are good due to:

a construction boom that is predicted to extend until at least the end of 2017, meaning more building work which will need plumbing installed
the extra 22,000 houses that are needed over the next 10 years in Auckland
the post-earthquake rebuild of Christchurch
a lack of apprentices training in these areas.

Increase your chances of getting an apprenticeship

Because many plumbing businesses are small and/or very busy, they are not always able to take on and train apprentices. You can increase your chances of getting an apprenticeship by:

being pro-active by contacting possible employers
dressing smartly and showing you are keen when you visit
volunteering to work with a company to understand what the job involves, or asking a plumber if you can shadow them (spend a work day with them), to see exactly what they do.

Although completing a pre-trade course (such as Gateway and BConstructive through school, or later through a tertiary provider) can show you are keen, it is not essential and it will not shorten your apprenticeship.

Plumbers and drainlayers needed to rebuild after Canterbury earthquakes

Because of high demand for their skills, both plumbers and drainlayers are included on Immigration New Zealand's Canterbury Skill Shortage List, which highlights occupations in shortage during the rebuild of the region.

Most plumbers and gasfitters run their own businesses

About 90% of plumbers and gasfitters are self-employed or work for small companies with up to five employees.

However, only about half of drainlayers are self-employed. Others work for small to medium-sized businesses that employ between one and 20 staff.

Sources

BRANZ and Pacifecon, 'National Construction Pipeline Report 3', July 2015, (www.branz.co.nz).
Immigration New Zealand, 'Canterbury Skill Shortage List', accessed May 2016, (www.immigration.govt.nz).
Jenkins, K, operations manager, Masterlink, Careers New Zealand interview, May 2016.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, '2006-2014 Occupation Data' (prepared for Careers New Zealand), 2015.
Mitchell, P, 'Industry Experts Expect Plumber Shortage as Demand Soars', 9 May 2016, (www.stuff.co.nz).

Progression and specialisations

Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers may progress to become certifying plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers, who can set up their own businesses and train apprentices.

They may also move into design, consultancy or teaching work in the industry.

Plumbers and gasfitters may specialise in an area such as drainlaying, which involves installing and designing below-ground drainage systems, and associated sewerage or effluent disposal systems.