Any application for a full-time course submitted from 16 June will be treated as a late application.
What can this course lead to?
By the end of this Apprenticeship the candidate will have satisfied the requirements for registration as EngTech by the Engineering Council through The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) and or The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).
On completion of the health and safety assessment, as determined, by the assessment plan the candidate will have satisfied the requirements to obtain a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Card through the Joint Industry Board for Plumbing and Mechanical Engineering Services (JIB-PMES) at the appropriate grade.
Job roles include: Plumber, Domestic Heating Engineer Domestic Heating Installer, Plumbing and Domestic Heating Installer and Plumbing and Domestic Heating Engineer.
Who is it for?
Please only apply for this Apprenticeship Course if you already have a suitable employer.
Do you enjoy practical work and want to develop a skill you can use in different ways?
Are you looking to start a career within the plumbing and heating industry or upskill for an existing role?
Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technicians plan, select, install, service, commission and maintain all aspects of plumbing and heating systems. As an Apprentice you will work towards becoming competent with the installation of plumbing and heating systems including: accurate measuring, marking, cutting, bending and jointing metallic and non-metallic pipework. You could be working on appliances and equipment including gas, oil and solid fuel boiler as well as pumps, heat emitter, bathroom furniture or controls as part of cold cater, hot water, and central heating or about ground drainage and rainwater systems. You will be part of an industry what is at the forefront of installing new and exciting environmental technologies like heat pumps, solar thermal systems, biomass boiler and water recycling systems. It is essential you develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours to work independently or as part of a team to correctly install to the latest industry standards.
In addition to the core skills and knowledge requirements of this standard you will be to choose a specialism from the following:
• Option 1: Fossil Fuel – Natural Gas
• Option 2: Fossil Fuel – Oil
• Option 3: Fossil Fuel – Solid Fuel
• Option 4: Environmental Technologies
We would advise you discuss this with your employer before the start of your Apprenticeship to ensure they can support you.
You can apply for an Apprenticeship if you are living in England, over 16 and not in full–time education. You must be in paid employment for the duration of your Apprenticeship course, you cannot be self–employed or a volunteer. Employers must pay you the minimum Apprenticeship wage or more, for a minimum of 30 hours a week.
What is covered?
Core knowledge and behaviour Requirements:
- Health and safety - understand health and safety legislation, codes of practice and safe working practices
- Core plumbing systems - understand selection, planning, installation, testing, commissioning and de-commissioning, service, maintenance, fault diagnosis and repair techniques on cold water, hot water, central heating, above ground drainage and rainwater systems
- Electrical components and control systems - understand installation and testing techniques for electrical components and control systems on plumbing and domestic heating systems
- Plumbing science and processes - understand scientific plumbing, domestic heating and mechanical principles
- Principles of environmental technology systems - understand the principles of domestic mechanical environmental technology systems
- Principles of fossil fuels - understand the principles of fuel combustion, ventilation and fluing arrangements within a domestic environment
- Customer service - understand the principles of high quality customer service and establishing the needs of others (colleagues, customers and other stakeholders). Respect the working environment including customer’s properties
- Communication - understand different communication methods, how to communicate in a clear, articulate and appropriate manner and how to adapt communication style to suit different situations
Skills:
- Safe working - operate in a safe working manner by adhering to health and safety legislation, codes of practice and applying safe working practices
- Core plumbing system techniques - apply selection, planning, installation, testing, commissioning and de-commissioning, service, maintenance, fault diagnosis and repair techniques on cold water, hot water, central heating, above ground drainage and rainwater systems
- Electrical components and control systems techniques - apply installation and testing techniques for electrical components and control systems on plumbing and domestic heating systems
- Supervisory skills - take responsibility for own work and safety and welfare of others Oversee and organise the programme of work and work environment Carry out work and manage resources in an environmentally friendly manner
In addition to the core skills and knowledge requirements, Apprentices with support from their employer must choose to undertake one of the following specialisms:
• Option 1 (Fossil Fuel – Natural Gas)
• Option 2 (Fossil Fuel - Oil)
• Option 3 (Fossil Fuel – Solid Fuel)
• Option 4 (Environmental Technologies)
You will be expected to attend college 1 day a week as part of your 20% off–the–job training. Additional off–the–job training hours are expected to be completed within your workplace, however you may also be asked to complete tasks at home via Google Classroom and One–file.
Please note you may also be asked to complete Maths and English qualifications as part of your Apprenticeship programme.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Individual employers will set selection criteria, but it is likely to include 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 and above including English and Maths and Science or a Technology subject; relevant Level 2 Plumbing and Heating qualification; other relevant qualifications and experience; or an aptitude test with a focus on electrical skills.
You will also require a suitable supportive employer who will guide you through your Apprenticeship.
We strongly advise you to complete a minimum of 2 weeks work experience with your employer prior to the start of your Apprenticeship to ensure it is a suitable organisation for your needs.
As well as being assessed continually throughout your Apprenticeship course, all Apprentices are required to complete an End–point Assessment in order to complete their qualification.
The EPA is conducted independently to your employer and Peterborough Regional College and is designed to test whether you have gained the skills, knowledge and behaviours outlined in the Plumbing and Domestic Heating Apprenticeship Standard. You will be graded according to your individual performance.
Throughout the duration of your Apprenticeship you will complete Level 3 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Qualification before to taking the end-point Assessment. Only when the stated qualification has been completed can your assessor and employer agree to put your forward for the ‘Gateway’. This gateway allows you to focus on and prepare for your EPA in order to complete your Apprenticeship. During this time your employer will be expected to support you to prepare for your EPA through regular training and guidance.
Throughout the Apprenticeship it is your responsibility with the help from your employer, assessor and college tutors to ensure you are ready for your final independent EPA.
More information about your EPA will be given to you by your Assessor at the Apprenticeship Sign Up.
Learners may need to purchase uniform and/or equipment depending on the employer.
Apprentices are also required to apply for a Trainee CSCS card which may involve an additional cost. There is no requirement for the employer to support you with this cost, you would need to discuss this with your employer directly.
All candidates will be invited to a pre interview and initial assessments in English and Maths with the Apprenticeship Recruitment Officers.
We strongly advice all candidates to complete a minimum of 2 weeks work experience with their employer prior to the start of the Apprenticeship to ensure the industry is right for the applicant.
Reality check!
A plumbing Apprentice could expect to work unsociable hours, weekends and even be on 24 hour call out service. An Apprentice will work on average 30 hours a week, this may vary throughout the year dependent on seasonal trends and workloads. Working conditions may sometimes be confined and you may have to work outside in all weathers. You may be required to work may be at height, outside buildings or on rooftops.
You will be expected to have good customer service skills, ensuring your work is tidy and respectful of other as you could be working in customers homes as well as on building sites.
Newly qualified plumbers may earn a starting salary of between £16,500 and £21,000. An experienced plumber may earn from £21,000 to £35,000.
An employed status Apprentice you will:
• Earn a wage – the national minimum wage for Apprentices is £4.15 an hour, although many Apprentices earn more than this. Please note you must be a paid employee of the business, you cannot be self employed or a volunteer.
• Have a contract of employment – this must be given to you at the start of your employment.
• Get paid holidays – these will be detailed in your contract of employment.
• Receive training – it is crucial to the success of your Apprenticeship that your employer supports you with regular training. The Apprenticeship standard states you must complete a minimum of 20% off–the–job training which can also include training at Peterborough Regional College and training on site. You will also be expected to build a portfolio and complete tasks on One–file and Google Classrooms.
The College has supported me through thick and thin – especially Ryan Lewis and the other Bricklaying tutors. I wasn’t confident in myself, but Stamford College has really bought me out of my shell and helped me to become the person that I am today.
Kayden Miles
Level 3 Bricklaying Apprentice
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