Plumbing and Heating

Learning Programme Content

The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:

• Qualifications,
• Essential Skills
• On/off the job training

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway Plumbing and Heating is 140 credits.

Entry requirements

This Apprenticeship is suitable for learners who:

• are aged 16+ currently working in the trade area
• have passed all relevant sector specific entry assessment (where appropriate)
• have achieved one or more of the following (or recognised equivalent):
  • Foundation in Construction and the Built Environment qualification at Level 2
  • Progression in Building Services Engineering qualification at Level 2*
• Welsh Baccalaureate National Diploma
• GCSE grade A-C in each of the following:- a communication subject, maths and either a science or technical-based subject (e.g. Design & Technology, Electronics etc)

• GCSE grade A-C in WJEC GCSE Built Environment

   

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 3: Plumbing and Heating

Level 3: Plumbing and Heating Qualifications

Participants must achieve the following combined qualification below and may also complete the additional optional knowledge qualification at level 2.
Participants must complete or evidence/ Essential skills (or equivalent qualifications) to the levels shown below.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.

Note that evidence for Essential Skills can/should be gathered holistically and from other activities so as not to remove learning time from the main trade areas.

On/Off the Job training

These hours may be different for experienced/older workers depending on their industry experience. The hours cover learning and development undertaken in a range of settings, including in the workplace when under the direction of a relevant trainer, e.g. workplace mentor. Centres and employers should  work closely together in determining what proportion of the training will take place within centres and in workplace settings.

Other additional requirements

(Optional)

These routes are optional and the apprentice can achieve their apprenticeship and be certified without undertaking any additional requirements. 

Additional requirements must be employer led. 

Please note there is additional training available to apprentices to meet employer requirements through Medr’s Micro-credential pilot. ( Medr/2025/29: Funding for Apprenticeships Micro Credential pilot 2025-26 - Medr)

Learners may complete one of the optional routes from:

1. Fossil Fuel – Natural Gas (this aligns to IGEM IG1 and ACS assessment standards)

2. Environmental Technologies (this aligns to MCS requirements)

These options are shown in more detail below:

*These are optional only (i.e. NOT a mandatory part of the Apprenticeship)

In more detail:

Additional Requirement Detail (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Domestic Plumbing and Heating (Gas-Fired Water and Central Heating Appliances)

Qualification Total: 1034 hrs (Knowledge elements 266 hrs + Competence elements 768 hrs)

Estimated minimum total Training hours for this pathway: 1308 hrs

Environmental Technologies

Qualification total: 549 Training hours (Knowledge elements 91 hrs + Competence elements 458 hrs)

Estimated Minimum total Training hours for this pathway is 823 hrs

Notes

• In addition to these hours we would encourage further practice take place in the work place.
• Apprenticeships should normally require employment of at least 30 hrs per week as part of their Apprenticeship Agreement.

• All training hours must be delivered during contracted working hours under an Apprenticeship Agreement or during a period less than 5 years before the date of application for an Apprenticeship certificate.

Job roles

This Apprenticeship is designed to provide individuals with the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge that are needed to carry out the installation and/or maintenance of hot and cold water, central heating, drainage and weathering systems in commercial, industrial and residential buildings including all relevant:

• Technological requirements and changes
• Statutory and Non- Statutory Regulations & Requirements
• Working practices in accordance with Health and Safety requirements
• Inspection, testing and commissioning procedures
• Work on Electrical Systems associated with plumbing systems

On completion of the requirements in this Pathway the Apprentice should, as a minimum, have the core skills and core knowledge required to carry out the following in a safe and competent manner:

• Apply health and safety and environmental legislation in the building services engineering sector
• Establish and maintain relationships in the building services engineering sector
• Coordinate a work site in the building services engineering sector
• Perform electrical work on mechanical building services systems
• Install and test plumbing and heating systems
• Service and maintain plumbing and heating systems
• Inspect and pre-commission plumbing and heating systems
• Commission plumbing and heating systems
• Decommission plumbing and heating systems

In addition, the Apprentice should also be able to:

• Apply professional judgement and support
• Challenge unsafe behaviours/activities
• Demonstrate innovation through the identification of areas for improvement and suggestion and/or development of innovative solutions
• Identify and manage risks to self and others
• Keep work area clean and tidy
• Manage own time effectively
• Think logically and accordance with the demands of the situation using clear and valid reasoning when making decisions to undertake the work instructions
• Work effectively individually and in a team
• Work in accordance with quality requirements
• Work productively
• Work safely and ensure the safety of others
• Work within own level of competence and know when to seek advice from others

Throughout the Apprenticeship process the Apprentice should, as a minimum, develop and display the behaviours that show them to be consistently:

1. Assertive
2. Confident
3. Dressed appropriately
4. Empathetic
5. Fair
6. Honest
7. Proactive
8. Productive
9. Punctual
10. Reliable
11. Respectful (in terms of equality, diversity and inclusion)

It is anticipated that successful learners will progress within the Plumbing & Heating industry in qualified positions such as employed or self-employed, supervisors, managers. Continuous learning will be expected of the qualified candidates in order to maintain awareness of the regulations impacting on the industry and technological changes/advances.

Progression

The aim of this Pathway is to ensure that the successful learners gain:

• The Skills and Knowledge required by the industry to achieve competence
• Job related skills that will be used in the working environment
• Knowledge and skills aligned to working practices, relevant statutory and non-statutory regulations
• Transferable and Core Skills
• The basis for career progression

When apprentices have completed this Pathway, they have a number of progression options to them including:

• Vocational: develop self in the role and seek promotion
• Academic: use the qualifications gained as the basis for further study and entry to Further or Higher Education as appropriate
• Combination of Vocational and Academic: undertake part time study while still working. This may be as part of a structured Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) if this is relevant/available.

More specifically, on successful completion of this Apprenticeship in Plumbing and Heating an apprentice will be furnished with the skills and knowledge, and have the qualifications to:

• Register with the JIB-PMES at https://www.jib-pmes.org/
• Seek registration/recognition with the appropriate fuels related body e.g. Gas Safe, OFTEC, HETAS or MCS
• Progress in their career with further training into such job roles as Technician, Designer, Estimator, Project Manager, Site/Workshop Supervisor/ Manager, Chartered Engineer, Sales Engineer or Commercial Manager

Learners may also wish to consider adding to their skills profile by completing one or more of the following developmental routes:

1. Fossil Fuel – Oil (this aligns to OFTEC requirements)*
2. Fossil Fuel – Solid Fuel (this aligns to HETAS requirements)*

* Pathway is not part of the apprenticeship frameworks but to be used for examples of further continued skills development available in the sector.

Further career guidance can be found at https://www.aphc.co.uk and www.snipef.org

It is anticipated that successful candidates will progress within the Plumbing & Heating industry in qualified positions such as employed or self-employed, supervisors, managers.

Continuous learning will be expected of the qualified candidates in order to maintain awareness of the regulations impacting on the industry and technological changes/advances.

Also whilst this sector doesn’t currently have a ‘Licence to Practice’ our apprenticeships are recognised as fulfilling the competence requirements of the voluntary card schemes and will enable you to register on a relevant industry recognised Certification Scheme which is evidence that an operative is deemed competent to carry out a particular job role effectively and safely.

Equality and diversity

It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.

The protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.

Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.

The Plumbing and Heating Industry has not, historically, been a traditional career choice for women. However, women do qualify and work successfully in the industry and this is encouraged.

The sectoral bodies work at local, regional and national levels to identify and address issues around equality and diversity. This work is supported by local/national government, non-governmental bodies/agencies and relevant Unions. 

It is a requirement that apprentice recruitment is open and fair to all who meet the selection criteria, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, religion/belief, sexual orientation or disability.

All partners involved in the delivery of the apprenticeship and employers must be committed to a policy of equal opportunities and must have a formal equal opportunities policy and procedure in place.

Employers/providers must be able to demonstrate that there are no overt or covert discriminatory practices in selection and employment. All promotional, selection and training activities must comply with relevant legislation such as the Equality Act 2010.

Providers will monitor equality of opportunity practice and procedures within their own organisation and take positive action when necessary. It is also recommended that employers/providers conduct an exit interview if the apprentice leaves the programme before completion.

Further career guidance can be found at https://www.aphc.co.uk and www.snipef.org

It is anticipated that successful candidates will progress within the Plumbing & Heating industry in qualified positions such as employed or self-employed, supervisors, managers.

Continuous learning will be expected of the qualified candidates in order to maintain awareness of the regulations impacting on the industry and technological changes/advances.

Also whilst this sector doesn’t currently have a ‘Licence to Practice’ our apprenticeships are recognised as fulfilling the competence requirements of the voluntary card schemes and will enable you to register on a relevant industry recognised Certification Scheme which is evidence that an operative is deemed competent to carry out a particular job role effectively and safely.

Employment responsibilities and rights

Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory.  But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.

Further information may be obtained from: Medr

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