JTL Blog


What you need to know about the new Level 3 Plumbing & Heating Standard


The new Level 3 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship is now available in selected JTL training centres and via many of JTL’s college partners around England. However, as a sector it feels like we’re struggling to get onboard with the new four-year Standard, with levels of awareness still extremely low. For example, if you look on well-known job sites, you’re guaranteed to see adverts for plumbing apprentices still referencing the Level 2 qualification, which is no longer available for enrolment in England.  

There is clearly a lot more work to do to raise awareness of the new Level 3 Standard, as well as encouraging more employers to support learners doing the longer course. Continue reading as we take you through what’s new and highlight the benefits of the Level 3 Plumbing and Heating Standard.

What’s new?

The new Level 3 apprenticeship has not only been designed to streamline the learning route, but it also provides learners with a wealth of knowledge and experience to prepare them for a professional career.

The new Level 3 course in plumbing and heating will take four years to complete, with learners choosing an individual pathway and building on their onsite performance evidence during their apprenticeship. The training received will include maths and English up to GCSE level for those who don’t already have it. Progress towards competence is assessed with tests at the end of each year of the course to monitor progress. All apprentices will complete an independent End Point Assessment at the end of their course before the Level 3 apprenticeship can be completed successfully.

 

Pathway options

The new Level 3 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship offers a choice of four pathways:

  • Fossil Fuel – Natural Gas

Select, install, test, commission, service and maintain domestic downstream natural gas pipework systems and appliances.

  • Fossil Fuel – Oil

Select, install, test, commission, service and maintain domestic oil storage, pipework and appliances.

  • Fossil Fuel – Solid Fuel

Select, install, test, commission, service and maintain domestic solid mineral fuel, wood burning and biomass appliances.

  • Environmental Technologies

Select, install, test, commission, service and maintain solar thermal, heat pumps and water recycling systems.

 

Let’s talk about the benefits

The new apprenticeship offers both employers and apprentices even more choice in terms of the training received, as the new Level 3 course reintroduces gas heating training as an option.

With just one course you can train for a number of career roles by choosing the new Level 3 plumbing and domestic heating apprenticeship. JTL’s new apprenticeship combines a variety of courses that were previously individual QCF/NQF qualifications, including:

  • Plumber
  • Domestic Heating Engineer
  • Domestic Heating Installer
  • Plumbing and Domestic Heating Installer
  • Plumbing and Domestic Heating Engineer

The depth of knowledge and experience gained throughout the course ensures that employers will benefit from highly trained employees who will deliver quality craftsmanship, which in turn will result in an improved customer experience.

All learners who pass the Level 3 apprenticeship in plumbing and heating will be able to register with individual industry bodies, including:

  • EngTech by the Engineering Council – through The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) or The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
  • Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Card – through the Joint Industry Board for Plumbing and Mechanical Engineering Services (JIB-PMES).

At JTL, we have taken the time to train all our business development team and training staff on the new apprenticeship standards, so that they are well placed to advise employers on what has changed and how they can meet the requirements.

You can view full details of the Standard for the Plumbing and Heating Level 3 qualification here.

To register your interest in the new L3 apprenticeship Standard please contact us or give us a call on 0800 085 2308.

 


About the author

Lindsay Talks

Linsday Talks is a Product Manager at JTL.

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