DOMESTIC PLUMBING & HEATING GAS FIRED WATER & CENTRAL HEATING APPLIANCES Level 3 Apprenticeship

To be eligible to enter ApprenticeshipsNI 2021 funded Level 2 / Level 3 apprenticeship provision, a person must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Have attained the upper limit of Compulsory School Age:
   1. A 16 year old who is entitled to leave school after the statutory leaving date of 30 June, or a 17 year old who leaves school/Further Education (FE) College during the month of June, will be permitted to enter ApprenticeshipsNI 2021 from the first Monday in July.
   2. A school leaver/FE College leaver who is 17 years old and who leaves before 1 June can be admitted to ApprenticeshipsNI 2021 at any time after leaving school or College.
2. Be either an existing employee in a new job role that requires a substantial amount of learning and skills development, or a new employee in (or about to take up) a permanent paid employment offer, including a specific start date as detailed on the Delivery Agreement and confirmed by the employer.
3. Be employed by a company that has a base in Northern Ireland and is registered as an employer with HMRC and be contracted to work a minimum of 21 hours per week (which includes day release/off-the-job directed training) with one employer. Directed training must be paid as part of the apprentice’s contracted hours.
4. Have the potential to successfully complete all the requirements of the appropriate Level 2/Level 3 apprenticeship framework.
   
5. Meet any health requirements (e.g., colour vision) specific to the occupation of their choice.
6. Have achieved any necessary entry academic qualifications (e.g., GCSEs) determined by the relevant sector for the apprenticeship and approved by the Department.
7. Pass any entry tests specified by the relevant sector/employer and approved by the Department.
8. Applicants with a previous level 2 or 3 qualification in the same occupational area may not be eligible for participation in a similar occupational area at the same level. This will require approval by the Department.

Employers may apply their own criteria during recruitment. However, only those potential apprentices who are assessed as capable / committed to achieving the full requirements of an apprenticeship framework will be recruited.

Attendance at Individual or Group Pre-Entry Advice Sessions (IPEAS and GPEAS) may be required. These interviews may take place either on campus, via telephone or video call (Microsoft teams) and will play an important role in the selection of all courses.

This course will cover elements of:

• Health and safety
• Understand and apply domestic cold water system installation, commissioning, service and maintenance techniques
• Understand and carry out electrical work on domestic plumbing and heating systems and components

Assessment in the Level 3 Apprenticeship is based on a combination of practical assessments, seven online exams and assignments (written papers). Apprentices will complete practical assignments that demonstrate their competence in plumbing and heating skills, including installation, maintenance, and repair of gas-fired water and central heating appliances. They will also undertake written exams to assess their understanding of plumbing and heating principles, gas safety regulations, and energy efficiency considerations.

On successful completion of this qualification, students may progress to study a range of higher level qualifications to boost their skills, including the level 4 and level 5 courses offered at SRC.

Upon successful completion of the Domestic Plumbing & Heating Gas Fired Water & Central Heating Appliances Level 3 Apprenticeship, apprentices will have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue a rewarding career as domestic plumbing and heating professionals. Graduates may choose to work for plumbing and heating companies, maintenance departments, or become self-employed plumbers and heating engineers. They may also have opportunities to progress to supervisory or managerial roles within the plumbing and heating industry or pursue further specialisation in areas such as renewable energy systems or commercial plumbing and heating.