Course description
The Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship standard reflects the needs of employers in a diverse industry and apprentices employed in a wide variety of organisations working in domestic properties, commercial and retail buildings, public buildings, health care and leisure.
This apprenticeship is designed to provide the apprentice with the opportunity to develop both the knowledge and skills and core behaviours expected of a competent Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician operating in a number of regulated areas.
The assessment process should add value to both the apprentice and the employer by setting and demonstrating the high skills, performance and knowledge standards required by employers in the plumbing and heating industry. 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.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
You need to be employed in a suitable position and hold a minimum level 4 (GCSE 5 – 9) maths and English.
Training Course Content
Core Knowledge Requirements include –
- Health & Safety – understanding legislation and practices
- Understanding of core plumbing systems
- Understanding installation and testing techniques of electrical components and control systems
- Understanding plumbing science and processes
- Understanding the principles of environmental technology systems
- Understanding the principles of fossil fuels
- Customer service and communication
Core Skills Requirements include –
- Safe working – adhering to current legislation
- Application of core plumbing system techniques
- Apply installation and testing techniques for electrical components and control systems
- Supervisory skills
In addition to the core skills and knowledge requirements, Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technicians must choose to undertake the following specialism
- Fossil Fuel – Natural Gas
Training is delivered on a one-day-per-week release basis at College where a tutor will monitor your progress alongside a progress coach who will assess your competency in the workplace.
You will be required to complete two onsite portfolios – one on Plumbing and one on Gas, that will assess your competency at work.
Typical completion time is likely to be 48 months. This may reduce if an apprentice has gained previous relevant knowledge and skills, which is recognised as Accredited Prior Learning.
Activate Learning
Activate Learning is a forward-thinking education group that aims for far-reaching, progressive change and impact through learning. We work with learners as individuals, helping them make the choice of course and career pathway that’s right for them. Our mission is to provide work-ready talent for business, and...