Course details may be subject to change.
Trailblaze in the plumbing and domestic heating industry with this hands-on apprenticeship.
Gain the knowledge required to work safely and understand the scientific principles within cold water, hot water, drainage and central heating systems.
Entry Criteria
You will hold GCSE maths and English at grade 4, or be willing to study alongside the programme.
What are the next steps?
You will be have an interview with the Apprenticeship team . As part of your interview you will carry out a number of tasks which will help us assess your suitability for the course.
Please bring evidence of relevant qualifications and proof of ID, e.g. passport or driving license or birth certificate.
Study Aims
This plumbing and domestic heating apprenticeship is designed by key employers in the industry and is one of the new 'trailblazer apprenticeships'. It will provide you with the knowledge, skills and core behaviours required to pursue a successful career in plumbing and heating systems.
The apprenticeship programme includes an End Point Assessment (EPA) which will include both a multi-choice test, design project, practical installation test (underpinning skills assessment) and practical application test (applied skills assessment).
Modules Studied
- Health and Safety
- Communications in B.S.E
- Scientific Principles
- Cold Water Systems
- Hot Water Systems
- Central Heating Systems
- Above Ground Drainage Systems.
Mandatory: Natural Gas
Teaching and Assessment
You will learn on-the-job in a real working environment and in our plumbing workshop, equipped with realistic situations and appliances.
You will be assessed using the following methods:
- Knowledge questions
- RWE practical
- A portfolio of evidence
- Practical observation.
In addition to the core skills and knowledge requirements, as a Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician you must choose to undertake one of the following specialisms:
- Fossil Fuel
- Natural Gas
End Point Assessment
The final assessment for the qualification is an End Point Assessment (EPA) which must be passed to achieve the full qualification. This will include:
Multiple Choice Test This is made of 50 questions selected from an assessment bank that covers the full knowledge range. You will have 90 minutes to complete.
Design Project This is held at an assessment centre. Building plans will be provided with a job specification - you will be required to complete a heating, hot water and cold-water design. Duration is 7 hours.
Practical Installation test - (Underpinning skills assessment) You will complete the fabrication of a pipework frame, utilising different materials and pipework components with various jointing techniques. Duration 6 hours.
Practical Application test - (Applied skills assessment) You will inspect a pre-installed unvented cylinder, functioning with electrical components and controls. The assessor will create faults on various components within the system. You will be given 2 hours to identify the faults, repair them and then re-commission the system. You will also complete a service according to instructions provided by a manufacturer within 1 hour.
Professional discussion Optional pathways and behaviours will be assessed through the Professional Discussion and supported by the production of a work place logbook completed by you during the End Point Assessment (EPA) period.
The portfolio provides the opportunity to demonstrate skills, knowledge and behaviours for the core and specific requirements of the standard.
Industry Links
We have strong links with Worcester Bosch, Viessmann and Telford Cylinders for gas and renewable technology equipment.
