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.
- If the levy applies to your business you will be required to pay 0.5% of your entire wage bill into the levy. This will be offset against a levy allowance worth £15,000 for each tax year.
- You will only be able to use your levy payment for government backed apprenticeships.
- Levy payments will expire after 18 months.
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.
As the largest college provider of apprenticeships in Essex, we can provide expert advice and guidance on all areas of apprenticeship provision, including helping you find the right apprenticeship for your business, recruiting apprentices, quality delivery and assessment with on-going support and advice.
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 expert 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 tutors.
- Bespoke programmes available upon request.
- An Essex priority skills focus.
- Free employer events.