Criteria and Application

PPDS is designed for exceptional early-career plumbers, both part-qualified (minimum to NVQ Level 2) and fully qualified, who exhibit strong potential to be not just a competent technical plumber but also a professional businessperson.

The scheme is selective; we appoint high-potential early-career plumbing & heating engineers. This goes beyond an assessment of qualifications and experience, it also focusses on values, attitudes, mindset, communications, and long-term commitment to a career in plumbing. We seek people who also want to contribute to the wider learning objectives of fellow PPDS members and of the industry.

PPDS is aimed at those who are currently Level 2 qualified plumbing apprentices, or those recently qualified, having already completed Levels 2 and 3. You don’t need many years of experience, but you do need a clear vision that plumbing is the profession where you want to build your future. You are in your first decade of full-time work as a plumber or soon to commence that decade.

You take pride in your work (what you do and how you do it) and focus on high-quality. You care about how you represent yourself to others. You value doing things properly, learning from feedback, and continually improving yourself - even when no one is watching.

PPDS seeks individuals who are interested in developing their confidence, communication skills, leadership & teamworking skills, alongside their technical capabilities. You may not feel fully confident yet, but you want to learn and grow within the industry, whilst also wanting to represent the profession positively to the construction industries and to the wider public.

You recognise that plumbing plays a vital role in public health, wellbeing, and quality of life both in the UK and abroad. You are motivated by work that makes a difference, whether that’s in homes, communities, or in wider society. You want to ‘give something back’ by contributing to humanitarian and charitable initiatives that do not offer monetary reward.  

Day by day you think about what you are learning, what challenges you, and how you can improve. You are willing to step outside your comfort zone to help you develop as a professional and as a person.

PPDS needs you to grasp opportunities beyond day-to-day training and work, including actively attending events, visits, and projects, and proactively contributing to virtual/online training and networking activities. You are able, and willing, to make time for this and you can win the support of your employer and/or training provider.