Hi i've completed a lvl 2 Diploma in Plumbing. If I was to apply for Plumbing in the Army, could I progress to level 3?

Hi,

Great question. You seem to be in a very similar situation to me before I joined. I was a qualified Fabricator Welder prior to joining at NVQ Lv 2 level. I could not complete Lv 3 at college because you needed a work placement to do so which I could not find and this is why I applied. When I did eventually go through training and subsequently trade training I was put on a 'Fast Track Assessment' for 1 week at the Royal Engineer trade school. This is where all of those who had no prior trade skills went for around 11 months to complete their NVQ Lv 2 in Fabrication and Welding (amongst many other Royal Engineer trades incl Plumbing). So long as you pass this 1 week assessment you should skip all of this part of the trade training and go straight to your first unit as a Class 2.

In the Royal Engineers your trades are usually split into two sections - Class 2 (NVQ Lv 2) and Class 1 (NVQ Lv 3, and this is often done a couple years after your Class 2).

Its been 15 years since I joined but the process on pre-trained trades is the same. I would however check with your Plumbing Certificates awarding body that your diploma is equivalent to the NVQ level.

But to answer your question yes, training as a Plumber in the Army would get you a level 3 eventually.

Hope this helps and best of luck with it.

SSgt Rob Needham.

Thank you so much for the reply, it answers all questions and certainly helps.

Kind regards,

Carlyle