Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship Level 3

On successful completion of the course, learners will be equipped with essential green skills and industry knowledge to progress into roles such as Heat Pump Installer, Renewable Heating Technician or Engineer, and Solar Thermal Installer—supporting the transition to low carbon technologies and a more sustainable future.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to plan, select and size, install, commission, service and maintain (including fault finding, diagnosis and repair) zero carbon central heating and hot water systems in buildings including dwellings and industrial and commercial premises. Zero carbon heat sources may include but are not limited to Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps and Solar Thermal Collectors.

The occupation includes work on both new build and existing properties and typically involves the installation, service, fault finding and repair of zero carbon heating and hot water appliances, storage vessels, pipework, heat emitters and associated components and their mechanical and electrical control systems.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with customers and end users, and as such requires a high level of customer service. The role is physical in nature and involves the manual handling of heavy equipment, working at height and in confined spaces.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for working both independently with a minimum of supervision and also as a member of a team involving close liaison and cooperation with site and line management, colleagues and other trades.

Core Knowledge

Health, Safety & Legal Requirements

• Health and safety laws and safe working practices (K1)
• Legal standards for system installation, service, repair (K6)
• Risk assessments, method statements, and work programme planning (K24)
• Electrical safety and competence limits (K26)
• F-Gas regulations (K17)

Sustainability & Environment

• Energy efficiency, recycling, and emissions management (K2)
• Renewable vs. non-renewable energy, decarbonisation, and UN SDGs (K10)

System Principles & Practices

• How low carbon heating systems work (K4, K9)
• Installation, maintenance, and testing of systems: air/ground/water source heat pumps, solar thermal, etc. (K3, K8, K11, K14, K16, K19, K21)
• Electrical control systems: installation, testing, decommissioning (K12, K13, K15, K18, K20, K22)

Roles & Communication

• Industry roles and responsibilities (K5)
• Communication techniques (K7)
• Collaborative, ethical working with stakeholders (K25)
• Well-being and mental health awareness (K23)

Key Skills

Safety & Sustainability

• Work safely and follow legal standards (S1)
• Apply environmental and sustainability principles (S2)

System Handling

• Plan work programmes, risk assessments, and method statements (S3, S4)
• Install and commission systems and controls (S5, S6, S7, S8)
• Service, maintain, diagnose faults and safely isolate systems (S9, S10)
• Decommission systems and controls (S11, S12)

Planning & Communication

• Plan and size appropriate systems (S13)
• Communicate effectively in speech and writing (S14)
• Solve problems collaboratively with clients/stakeholders (S15)