Unemployed people are being warned off plumbing courses which take their money without providing a proper qualification.

The Calderdale Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) has said that rogue training centres are unfairly targeting unemployed people with promises of industry recognised qualifications at the end of crash plumbing courses.

The CAB reported that an increasing number of unemployed people are resorting to taking out costly career development loans in order to finance plumbing courses which pledge a permanent job on completion.

Plumbing courses are attractive to job seekers because plumbers are often in demand as their skills are essential to the upgrading and maintenance of property heating systems.

Rory Deighton, CAB executive, said that people should always research a training centre before parting with their cash to ensure that they are affiliated with recognised industry organisations.

He added: "If you're looking for work it's natural to think about improving your job prospects through skills training, but it pays to do your homework first.

"Otherwise you may find yourself seriously out of pocket and no better qualified than when you started.

"We are seeing cases nationally involving the promise of a job at the end, a particularly heartless scam at a time when so many people have been made redundant and are desperate for work."

Other ways to investigate the credentials of a training centre is to turn up unannounced to view the facilities and the standard of teaching on offer as this will allow people to witness an ordinary day of learning.

People who want to take plumbing courses in order to become fully qualified are also advised to meet training centre staff and to chat with existing students in order to find out information and gain feedback.

Searching on internet forum is another good way to research the quality of a course provider but it is important to be wary of rogue comments which have been left by rival centres.

John Thompson, technical services manager at the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors, said that potential plumbers should always choose plumbing courses which are practically assessed.

"Consumers who are considering enrolling on courses to train them in plumbing and heating should check the quality of the training provided and that it results in a full NVQ including work-based experience," he added.

A correct sequence of accredited NVQ plumbing courses must be undertaken before a person is deemed to be fully competent, which includes the City & Guilds NVQ 6129 level 2 and NVQ level 3.