Apprenticeship: Plumbing and Domestic Heating TechnicianAdvanced (L3) |
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.
This qualification is aimed at new technicians entering the Plumbing and Domestic Heating industry who wish to be trained in the skills and knowledge associated with plumbing and heating systems. This 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.
• Health and safety systems
• Common processes and techniques
• Scientific principles
• Planning and supervision
• Cold water systems
• Hot water systems
• Central heating systems
• Rainwater systems
• Sanitation systems
• Environmental technology systems
• Domestic fuel systems
• Electrical work and the control of plumbing and domestic heating systems
Core on-site units
• Install, commission, service and maintain domestic plumbing and heating systems
Pathway Options
a) Air Source Heat Pump Systems
b) Rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse systems
c) Solar Thermal Hot Water Systems
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)
Typical job roles for learners completing this qualification are:
• Plumber
• Plumber and Domestic Heating Engineer
• Plumbing and Domestic Heating Installer
Progression may be possible in the form of:
• Level 4/5 HNC/D in Building Services Engineering (mechanical)
• Level 5 Foundation degree in Building Services Engineering
• The qualification will entitle the learner to apply for Engineering Technician (EngTech) status with the Chartered institute for Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE)
This is an advanced (level 3) Apprenticeship.
48 months
Entry requirements will be determined by individual employers.
Typically, learners must be aged at least 16 years. There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification, but the learner must have the potential to achieve in ALL aspects of the qualification.
They must demonstrate that they have the minimum levels of numeracy and literacy to be able to understand and achieve:
• The health and safety aspects
• The completion of the Awarding Organisation practical and underpinning knowledge assessments
• The chosen pathway
A mixture of home study, classroom revision and workshop practical training and assessments.
Development of a portfolio (worklog) in a working environment and observations.
End Point Assessment (EPA) by an independent Assessor (organisation). Containing an online multiple choice test, observation (within your workplacement or in a realistic work environment) and portfolio (worklog) interview.