Overview
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, heath care and leisure. This apprenticeship is designed to provide the apprentice with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, 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.
Curriculum delivery
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. The qualification will be delivered within the college and workplace, with ongoing support from a dedicated performance coach. College attendance is required for one day per week throughout the duration of the programme to learn the required Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours. However, there may also be a requirement for college attendance on additional days to support the delivery of Functional Skills.
End-point assessment (EPA)
The EPA can only be taken after the conditions of the Assessment Gateway have been successfully achieved.
The End-point Assessment (EPA) will assess how an apprentice can apply their skills, knowledge and behaviours acquired in their apprenticeship, through the following assessments carried out in the final 3 months of the apprenticeship:
- Achieved Level 3 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Qualification
- Achieved Level 2 English and Maths
- Employer and Training provider believe the apprentice is competent and meets the standards Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours.
Other methods of assessment include:
- Multiple Choice Test
- Professional Discussion
- Practical Installation Test
- Practical Application test
- Design Project
Link to professional registration
By the end of this apprenticeship the candidate will have satisfied the requirements for registration as EngTech by the Engineering Council through The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) and or The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). On completion of the health and safety assessment, as determined, by the assessment plan, the candidate will have satisfied the requirements to obtain a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Card through the Joint Industry Board for Plumbing and Mechanical Engineering Services (JIB-PMES) at the appropriate grade.
Typically 20% off-the-job training
Since the introduction of new style apprenticeships in May 2017, it’s been a requirement that every apprentice spends at least 20% of their time on off-the-job training. The required 20% off-the-job training hours will be calculated via the apprentices contracted hours of work, holiday entitlement and length of programme and will be clearly specified in our commitment statement. This requirement doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect – and doesn’t even mean the apprentice has to be away from their workplace 20% of the time.
Apprentice wages
Every apprentice must be paid a lawful wage for the time they are in work and in off the-job training. The employer must meet the cost of the apprentice’s wages. An employer can only pay the apprenticeship minimum wage from the start of the apprenticeship programme and not before. You can find information on the national minimum wage, the apprenticeship rate, and the definition of an employee on GOV.UK.