Overview of apprenticeship
An Advanced Apprenticeship is a job with an accompanying skills development programme designed by employers in the sector. It allows you to gain technical knowledge and real practical experience while being paid to do so. Along with functional and personal skills that are needed for your immediate job and future career you will learn through a mix of project based learning in the workplace, formal off the job training, and the opportunity to practice and embed new skills in a real work context.
Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technicians plan, select, install, service, commission and maintain all aspects of plumbing and heating systems. Plumbing and domestic heating technicians can find themselves working inside or outside a property. Customer service skills and being tidy and respectful are important qualities as they can often find themselves working in customers' homes as well as on building sites.
As a competent Plumbing and Heating Technician, the installation of plumbing and heating systems includes accurate measuring, marking, cutting, bending and jointing metallic and non-metallic pipework. Appliances and equipment can include gas, oil and solid fuel boilers as well as pumps, heat emitters, bathroom furniture or controls as part of a cold water, hot water, and central heating or above ground drainage and rainwater systems. Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technicians are at the forefront of installing new and exciting environmental technologies like heat pumps, solar thermal systems, biomass boilers and water recycling systems. It is important for a plumbing and heating technician to be able to work independently or as a team and use their knowledge and skills to ensure that both the system and appliances are appropriately selected and correctly installed, often without any supervision, and done so in a safe, efficient and economical manner to minimise waste.
Delivery Plan and Assessment
Learners will attend West Suffolk College one day a week for taught sessions, excluding half terms and holidays. In total, learners have to spend 20% of their time on programme completing Off-The-Job training, this includes their day release, and any shadow shifts. Apprentices will be supported by 1:1 meetings in the workplace by their dedicated Programme Tutor. Additional learning resources and information will be made available online to ensure a fully blended learning experience.
Learners will be required to complete an End Point Assessment at the end of their learning.
Where will this course take me?
As well as ensuring full competence as a Plumber, this apprenticeship provides a potential progression into a wide range of employment opportunities, or move onto full or part-time further education
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).
Down to business, what can I do and what can I earn?
Your wage is decided by your employer however must meet the National Minimum Wage regulations https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates.
Entry requirements
Whilst any entry requirements will be a matter for individual employers, typically an apprentice might be expected to have already achieved 5 GCSEs including Maths and English, Grade C or above or 4/5 (new grading). Some employers will accept other relevant qualifications and experience, including a relevant Level 2 qualification.
Apprentices without English and Maths at Level 2 must achieve these prior to taking their End Point Assessment.
Qualifications
On completion of the apprenticeship, you will have achieved:
- Full Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Level 3 Standard.
- Skills for Success - This module is designed by West Suffolk College to ensure you have all the personal skills and behaviours to succeed in the workplace.
- Any required Functional Skills in English or Maths.
How is this funded?
Learners
Apprentices are not required to contribute financially towards Apprenticeship training.
Employers
If you are an employer with an annual wage bill of £3 million or more, you will pay into an apprenticeship levy. This levy is then used to pay for the full cost of the apprenticeship course which is £12000. This figure is divided by the duration of the Apprenticeship and you will make monthly payments from your account directly to us.
If you are an employer with an annual wage bill of under £3 million, the Government will fund 95% of the training fee meaning you will be required to contribute 5% (£600).
There are incentives available if you are a small employer (under 50) and if you train/recruit a 16-18 year old.
Contact us on 01284 716235 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details of costs and how Apprenticeships are funded.
Try out our apprenticeship levy calculator here
I'm interested. What should I do now?
You apply for an Apprenticeship in the same way you would apply for a job: find an apprenticeship vacancy, send in your CV or complete an application. We can help you with applications and give you interview advice. Please view the following page on our website to see our latest Apprenticeship vacancies.
Apprenticeship Vacancies: https://www.wsc.ac.uk/find-a-course/apprenticeships/vacancies
Alternatively, you can look on the GOV.UK website to see what other Apprenticeships vacancies may be available: https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch
Employers - Please contact us to speak with a member of the Apprenticeship Team for more information and to organise a face to face visit.
Days & times
Please contact us for dates and further information