Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship
Various start dates from August 2025

Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technicians plan, select, install, service, commission and maintain all aspects of plumbing and heating systems. Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technicians can find themselves working inside or outside a property. Customer service skills and being tidy and respectful are important qualities as they can often find themselves working in customers’ homes as well as on building sites.

As a competent Plumbing and Heating Technician, the installation of plumbing and heating systems includes accurate measuring, marking, cutting, bending and jointing metallic and non-metallic pipework. Appliances and equipment can include gas, oil and solid fuel boilers as well as pumps, heat emitters, bathroom furniture or controls as part of a cold water, hot water, and central heating or above ground drainage and rainwater systems.

Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technicians are at the forefront of installing new and exciting environmental technologies like heat pumps, solar thermal systems, biomass boilers and water recycling systems. It is important for a Plumbing and Heating Technician to be able to work independently or as part of a team and use their knowledge and skills to ensure that both the system and appliances are appropriately selected and correctly installed, often without any supervision, and done so in a safe, efficient and economical manner to minimise waste.

The Benefits of an Apprenticeship
• You’ll earn a wage as you’re learning and are entitled to paid holidays.
• You can earn 10% more after studying on a Level 3 Apprenticeship than if you went straight in to work.
• 90% of apprentices remain in employment, either with their current employer or another company.
• 85% of employers participate in Apprenticeship programmes and consider them a good thing.

We have no live vacancies at the moment
You can also find your own employer. If you already have an employer who is willing to take you on as an apprentice, then click the yellow 'Express an Interest' button and we will ask for the employer details as part of the request

• Health and safety
• Core plumbing systems
• Electrical components and control systems
• Plumbing science and processes
• Principles of environmental technology systems
• Principles of fossil fuels
• Customer service
• Communication skills

80% of your qualification will be gained in the workplace, although you may attend sessions in College that will cover the remaining essential areas of your training.

During your Apprenticeship, you will have a dedicated Work Based Tutor who will train you to industry standards; support your time in employment; and coach you to pass your End Point Assessment.

The Benefits of an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships offer great opportunities for people of all ages; an Apprenticeship is a job with training to industry standards, enabling you to enter a recognised occupation. All Apprenticeships are employer led, and as well as providing long term earnings, they also give you the ability to progress.

• You’ll earn a wage as you’re learning and are entitled to paid holidays.
• You can earn 10% more after studying on a Level 3 Apprenticeship than if you went straight in to work.
• 90% of apprentices remain in employment, either with their current employer or another company.
• 85% of employers participate in Apprenticeship programmes and consider them a good thing.
• You can train to post graduate level without incurring any university fees.
• By passing an independent End Point Assessment, you will join thousands of people acquiring a modern and recognised qualification.

Entry requirements will be determined by individual employers. Typically, apprentices will have English and Maths at Level 2 on entry, and all will have achieved that level prior to taking their end-point assessment.

The programme will be covered by an end-point assessment. Methods of assessment include:

• Multiple choice tests
• Design projects
• Practical installation test
• Practical application test
• Professional discussion

In the first instance please send a message to apprenticeships@boltoncc.ac.uk

You need to speak to one of our tutors before you can Apply for this course therefore, please use the 'apply' button on this screen to register your interest. Please be aware that when a member of staff calls you our number will appear as unknown/with-held/private.

Alongside your studies, you’ll have a unique opportunity to be part of the University of Bolton’s EXCEED Programme.
This will give you a range of additional skills and experiences, and includes masterclasses; university visits; access to industry experts; and mentoring and support with your university application, perfect for that next step into Higher Education.
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.
You can develop your skills by taking further training in areas such as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, and renewable energy technologies like solar powered heating.
You can also join the Gas Safe Register or get certified with the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC). These would show you’re qualified to work on gas or oil-fired appliances.

This would give you career options in building services engineering, estimating and contract management.
Following further study you could work as:
• A Plumber, earning up to £40,000 per year.
• A Gas Service Technician, earning up to £38,000 per year
• A Heating and Ventilation Engineer, earning up to
£35,000 per year

We have a range of dedicated support and wellbeing services including FREE travel, financial support, and impartial advice and guidance. Throughout your Apprenticeship, you’ll also receive one-to-one support from your dedicated Work Based Tutor, helping you to achieve your ambitions

We’re an elite College, and part of the University of Bolton Group, offering you a gateway to all of Greater Manchester’s vast range of fantastic opportunities for specialist careers, university degree courses and higher Apprenticeships.

We’ll reward your achievements with trips to The Anderton Outdoor Activity Centre and the opportunity to apply for the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Our £75 million campus offers a refurbished fitness suite and sports hall; Apple Mac suites; libraries, a lecture theatre; hair and beauty salon; and a restaurant, café and canteen.

You’ll also enjoy a wide range of events, including showcases, enterprise activities and cultural celebrations.

Click the yellow ‘Apply’ button on this page to express your interest.

You’ll be asked to set up a Learner Hub account, so that you can track your application. If we dont think you're ready for an Apprenticeship yet, we'll recommend a relevant Study Programme that could eventually lead to the Apprenticeship you're interested in.

If you have any difficulties setting up your Learner Hub account, please email learner.hub@boltoncc.ac.uk

Although every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained within this document is accurate, there may be changes to this programme and provision. We will endeavour to keep prospective and current students updated where appropriate and when the information becomes available.