Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician L3 Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships

Level 3 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship

What is a plumbing and domestic heating technician?

Plumbing and domestic heating technicians, also known as plumbers or domestic heating installers, are an essential part of the building services sector.

They are responsible for sizing, planning, installing, and maintaining plumbing and domestic heating systems.

Technicians will usually specialise in three different areas

Domestic Gas Fired Hot Water Appliances Technician
Domestic Air Source Heat Pumps & Solar Thermal Systems Technician
Non-Domestic Plumbing Technician

The primary duties we cover on this apprenticeship...

Depending on what area you specialise in, plumbing and heating technicians will have many responsibilities. Some of their core duties include:

Ensuring that industry standards and customers’ needs are met when planning, testing, selecting and sizing core plumbing and domestic heating systems.
Carrying out preparatory work for when installing domestic and plumbing heating systems.
Carrying over the appropriate handover procedures for domestic and plumbing heating systems.
Conducting routine services and maintenance procedures on plumbing and domestic heating systems.
Performing diagnosis, rectification and finding procedures on plumbing and domestic heating systems.
Ensuring that all health, safety and welfare requirements are met.

Apprentices will benefit from:

Earn a wage, whilst studying a fantastic course

Gaining experience in a fast-paced & competitive industry

No learning costs for the Apprentice

Facilities

Macclesfield College offers outstanding Plumbing facilities for apprentices attending the college on day release from work.

These facilities include dedicated apprenticeship workrooms equipped with state-of-the-art plumbing equipment and tools, providing apprentices with hands-on experience and practical training.

The college fosters a friendly atmosphere, creating a supportive learning environment where apprentices can develop their electrical skills with confidence.

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Entry requirements

Apprentices without a Level 2 English and Maths qualification will need to achieve this level before taking the End-Point-Assessment. For those with a legacy statement, health care plan or education, the English and Maths minimum qualification is Entry Level 3.

Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours

Knowledge and Skills:

Plumbing and domestic heating technicians will need know and apply the below knowledge and skills to the relevant statutory and regulatory environment.

Business Awareness:

Understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals within the plumbing, domestic heating, and wider construction industry.
Know how to communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, colleagues, and members of the public who may come into contact with the work area.

Regulation and Compliance:

Having a good understanding of health and safely legislation when working in the construction industry.
Knowing the legal requirements and sources of information for the repair, installation and service of plumbing and domestic heating systems.
Plumbing and domestic heating technicians are familiar legislation, approved Codes of Practice and guidance for installation, service
Understanding the requirements and limitations for electrical supply and control systems in plumbing and domestic heating work.
Understanding the legal requirements and approved Codes of Practice for repair, installation and service for solar thermal systems.
Knowing the legal requirements, such as the approved Codes of Practice, for the installation, service and repair of air source heat pump systems.
Understanding the legal requirements service, repair and installation of natural gas systems and appliances.

Systems and Processes:

Understand the different installation and testing processes for plumbing and heating systems including cold water, hot water, central heating, rainwater systems and sanitation systems.
Be familiar with the decommissioning processes for plumbing and domestic heating systems.

Technical Knowledge:

Understand the layout, working principles, and legal requirements of plumbing and domestic heating systems, air source heat pump systems, solar thermal systems and non-domestic plumbing systems and appliances.
Understand what different factors influence system selection for different applications.
Have a good knowledge of the layout, working principles and regulatory requirements of plumbing pipework above 28mm and non-domestic plumbing systems and appliances.
Understanding the different routine service and maintenance procedures for non-domestic plumbing systems, air source heat pump systems solar thermal systems and low pressure natural gas system appliances.
Understanding the decommissioning procedures for low-pressure gas systems, air source heat pump systems, solar thermal systems, plumbing and domestic heating systems and non-domestic plumbing system and appliances.
Be able to identify and document hazards within plumbing and domestic heating systems.

Behaviours:

Plumbing and domestic heating technicians will be expected to:

Keep up to date with the industry practices and be committed to continuous professional development.
Act professionally when collaborating with customers and colleagues.
Take ownership of their own work.
Know when to seek advice or assistance from colleagues.

Qualifications

During this apprenticeship, apprentices will gain a Level 3 diploma in plumbing and domestic heating.

Apprentices can also earn an optional qualification for a Level 3 Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme for Gas Fitting Operatives (ACS Assessments CNN1 and CENWAT). Apprentices will need to have completed training for a CCN1 and CENWAT as part of their End Point Assessment.

Link to professional registration

This apprenticeship standard corresponds to the following professional recognition:

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) for 3