Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship
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.
Generic job titles recognised across the industry
- Plumber
- Domestic Heating Engineer Domestic Heating Installer
- Plumbing and Domestic Heating Installer
- Plumbing and Domestic Heating Engineer
***Applications for joint apprenticeship and full-time course applications will close at midnight on Sunday 3rd July 2022.
If you have not yet made an application then we encourage you to do so before this date, as we are unable to process any applications received after this time.
If you are aged between 15 and 18 and interested in an Apprenticeship but do not yet have a contract of employment from an employer, we strongly advise you to apply for a full-time programme as well so you have a back-up.
We process both your full-time application and apprenticeship application until you inform us that you have secured an employer and have an Apprenticeship contract in place, at which point your apprenticeship application will take priority.
***Applications for full-time courses and joint apprenticeship applications are now closed.***
If you are interested in an Apprenticeship and have a contract offer of employment from an employer in place then please contact our apprenticeships team on:
If you are aged between 15 and 18 and interested in an Apprenticeship and do not have a contract offer of employment from an employer in place, then we would encourage you to attend our August Advice Days, which will take place from GCSE Results Day on Thursday 25th August 2022, at both our Colchester and Braintree campuses.
If you are aged 19 and and interested in an Apprenticeship and do not have a contract offer of employment from an employer in place, then please see our guidance here
Advice Day dates and time slots will be published on this page closer to the time and online bookings will open at 08:30am on Thursday 25th August. You can register your interest in attending an advice session using the link below. We will then email you once dates have been confirmed and bookings are open with sessions available to book.
Information for Employers
How is my business going to benefit from a ‘Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician’ apprentice?
Apprentices will be expected to understand and demonstrate the following behaviours:
| Behaviours | What is required |
| Honesty and Integrity | Develop trust with customers and colleagues by undertaking responsibilities in an ethical and empathetic manner |
| Dependable and responsible | Show conscientiousness through being punctual, reliable and professional. Take responsibility for own judgements and actions. Aware of the limits of their own competence |
| Enthusiasm and positive attitude | Demonstrate drive and energy in fulfilling requirements of role |
| Quality focus | Be quality focused in work and in personal standards |
| Willingness to learn | Identify own development needs and take action to meet those needs. Keep up-to-date with best practice. Maintain and enhance competence |
| Work with others | Work effectively and collaborate with colleagues, other trades, clients, suppliers and the public |
| Sustainable working | Give consideration to appropriate use of resources and own actions taking into account the impact on environmental, social and economic factors |
What will this cost my business?
The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in April 2017 has changed the way that government funds apprenticeships in England. All businesses operating within the UK with a wage bill of over £3million are required to contribute to the Apprenticeship Levy. Speak to an advisor at CI Business Solutions on 01206 712727 to make your levy payments work for you. Non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 5% of the maximum funding band as published by the Skills Funding Agency for the delivery of training and assessment for their apprenticeship. Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account. Employers with less than 50 employees who are recruiting an apprentice aged 16-18 years old will not be required to pay the contribution fee. Any associated cost to the individual will be made clear at the interview. Speak to an Advisor at CI Business Solutions on 01206 712727 to make your levy payments work for you.
Level:
This is a level 3 Apprenticeship.
Does the apprentice have to attend college?
Learners will attend college for 3 – 4 years dependent on prior learning. 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.
The college term time is from September through to July. Apprentices may be able to commence the Apprenticeship programme prior to the college start date of September. Should you wish to explore this option further, please do not hesitate to contact us.
How is the apprentice assessed?
It is recommended that the core skills, knowledge and behaviours will be acquired by the apprentice in the first 36 months with the specialist option undertaken and completed in the final year.
Apprentices can only attempt the separate, mandatory end point assessment once the pre-requisite gateway components have been achieved. The main objective of the end-point assessment is to provide a high quality cost effective means of measuring apprentices’ whole-job competence in the final stage of their apprenticeship.
What about support in the workplace?
The college provide support in the workplace through 12 weekly progression meetings involving both the apprentice and the employer. This review process is informed by the college course leader and teaching staff, and is then communicated through a discussion held between you the employer, the apprentice and the college training advisers at this 12 weekly point. Technical college staff will be on hand at any time to provide support additional to this 12 weekly meeting point.
Why should I choose Colchester Institute to support my recruitment and retention?
Colchester Institute is the largest college provider of apprenticeships in Greater Essex. We are experts at connecting the right people, to the right training, to the right business – and when it comes to Apprenticeships, our Apprenticeship Advisors can support your business every step of the way.
As part of our service we can support your business with:
- Advertising the Apprenticeship vacancy
- Manage the applications received in line with your individual requirements
- Match prospective candidates already known to us
- Conduct initial pre-screening for candidates
- Carry out visits to your premises alongside regular reviews to support you, your staff and your apprentice
- Advice on any grants or funding where available
Our team will provide:
- A fee free recruitment service.
- Personal 1:1 Apprenticeship Levy advice and guidance.
- A dedicated Account Manager.
- Industry experienced, professional, technical trainers.
- Bespoke programmes available upon request.
- An Essex priority skills focus.
- Free employer events.
Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship
Course Outline: Provides the relevant knowledge and experience to understand the installation of domestic plumbing systems.
Starting employment as an apprentice can occur throughout the year however the start-date for attending college for training, where required, might vary depending on the type of apprenticeship and will be communicated post-employment and sign-up.
| Level | Level 3 |
|---|---|
| Location | Colchester |
| Duration | Typical completion time is likely to be 48 months. This may reduce if an apprentice has gained previous relevant knowledge and skills. |
| Campus | Colchester Campus |
| Apprenticeship Funding Band (Levy paying employers) | £21,000 |
| Employer Contribution Fee (Non-levy paying employers) | £1,050 |
What will this cost my Business?
Non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 5% of the maximum funding band as published by the Skills Funding Agency for the delivery of training and assessment for their apprenticeship. Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account.
Apprenticeship Funding Bands
Apprenticeship Funding Bands
Employers with less than 50 employees who are recruiting an apprentice aged 16-18 years old will not be required to pay the contribution fee. Any associated cost to the individual will be made clear at the interview.
Disclaimer
All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2021-22 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.
Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.
The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.
The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.
