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Apprentice Plumbing & Heating Engineer
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Join S&P Plumbing Contracts
Learn from experienced engineers working on domestic new build and existing property projects across Essex. You will assist with installing plumbing and heating systems (including underfloor heating and more) while gaining the practical skills needed to become a qualified plumbing & heating engineer.
Day to day role responsibilities will include:
- To assist qualified engineers with first and second fix plumbing and heating installations.
- Learn to install domestic hot and cold water systems.
- Assist with the installation of domestic central heating systems, radiators and underfloor heating.
- Assist with the installation of sanitaryware including baths, toilets, basins, sinks and showers.
- Read and interpret drawings and installation specifications.
- Measure, cut and install copper and plastic pipework.
- Maintain a clean, safe and organised working environment in line with health and safety requirements.
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Colchester Institute
Plumbing and domestic heating technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
Course contents
- Operate in a safe working manner by adhering to health and safety legislation, approved codes of practice and guidance and applying safe working practices.
- Carry out and apply the common processes and techniques used in the installation and test of plumbing and domestic heating systems (cold water, hot water, central heating and sanitary appliances and pipework).
- Carry out and apply the common processes and techniques used in the installation and test of rainwater systems.
- Plan tasks within plumbing and domestic heating systems industry.
- Identify and document hazards for the plumbing and domestic heating systems work. Apply control measures.
- Carry out commission and handover procedures and techniques on plumbing and domestic heating systems (cold water, hot water, central heating, sanitary appliances, and rainwater).
- Install, test, and commission, electrical and electrical control systems applicable to plumbing and domestic heating systems.
- Perform routine service, maintenance, fault diagnosis and rectification procedures and techniques on the non-electrical components of plumbing and domestic heating systems.
- Perform routine service, maintenance, fault diagnosis and rectification procedures and techniques on electrical and electrical control systems applicable to plumbing and domestic heating systems including industry safe isolation procedures.
- Decommission plumbing and domestic heating systems.
- Decommission electrical and electrical control systems applicable to plumbing and domestic heating systems.
- Plan, size and select cold and hot systems to meet customer’s needs in accordance with manufacturers guidance, regulatory requirements and industry recognised standards and procedures.
- Plan, size and select domestic heating and rainwater systems to meet customers' needs in accordance with manufacturers' guidance, regulatory requirements and industry recognised standards and procedures.
- Carry out and apply the common installation processes and techniques used in the installation and maintenance of natural gas systems (up to 35mm R1¼) and natural gas fired hot water and central heating appliances (up to 70kW net heat input) in the workplace.
- Install, purge, test, commission and handover low pressure natural gas systems (up to 35mm R1¼) and natural gas fired hot water and central heating appliances (up to 70kW net heat input).
- Perform routine service, maintenance, fault diagnosis and rectification procedures and techniques on low pressure Natural Gas systems (up to 35mm R1¼) and Natural Gas fired hot water and central heating appliances (up to 70kW net heat input).
- Decommission (including disconnection and dismantling) low pressure Natural Gas systems (up to 35mm R1¼) and Natural Gas fired hot water and central heating appliances (up to 70kW net heat input).
- Plan, size and select low pressure Natural Gas systems (up to 35mm R1¼) and Natural Gas fired hot water and central heating appliances (up to 70kW net heat input).
- Carry out and apply the common processes and techniques used in the installation of air source heat pump (non-refrigerant circuits) systems.
- Carry out and apply the common processes and techniques used in the installation of solar thermal systems.
- Test, commission and handover air source heat pump (non-refrigerant circuits) systems.
- Test, commission and handover solar thermal systems.
- Perform routine service, maintenance, fault diagnosis and rectification procedures and techniques on air source heat pump (non-refrigerant circuits) systems.
- Perform routine service, maintenance, fault diagnosis and rectification procedures and techniques on solar thermal systems.
- Decommission (including disconnection and dismantling) air source heat pump (non-refrigerant circuits) systems.
- Decommission (including disconnection and dismantling) solar thermal systems.
- Plan, size and select air source heat pump (non-refrigerant circuits) systems.
- Plan, size and select solar thermal systems.
- Carry out and apply the common processes and techniques used in the installation of plumbing (above 28mm) and non-domestic plumbing pipework.
- Carry out and apply the common processes and techniques used in the installation of plumbing (above 28mm) and non-domestic plumbing systems and appliances (cold water systems, hot water systems, sanitary appliances and pipework systems and rainwater systems).
- Test, commission and handover plumbing pipework (above 28mm) and non-domestic plumbing systems and appliances in the workplace. (cold water systems and sanitary appliances and pipework systems).
- Perform routine service, maintenance, fault diagnosis and rectification procedures and techniques on plumbing (above 28mm) and non-domestic plumbing systems and appliances.
- Decommission (including disconnection and dismantling) plumbing (above 28mm) and non-domestic plumbing systems and appliances.
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The apprentice will be working towards the Level 3 Plumbing & Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship Standard including a City & Guilds Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating - Natural Gas. College attendance will be at Colchester Institute (Colchester Campus) one day per week during term time.
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GCSE in:
- maths and English (grade A*-C/9-4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
The role involves travelling to various domestic new build sites across Essex. Work is primarily site-based and includes working outdoors in all weather conditions, manual handling, using tools and equipment, and working at height when required. Appropriate PPE and training will be provided.
S&P Plumbing Contracts Ltd
S&P Plumbing Contracts Ltd is a plumbing and heating company specialising in domestic new build developments. We carry out high-quality plumbing, heating, underfloor heating and renewable energy installations, including air source heat pumps, for national housebuilders as well as local developers across Essex. Both company directors began their careers as plumbing apprentices and have built their experience working across a wide range of residential construction projects. They are committed to passing on their knowledge and supporting the next generation of skilled plumbing and heating engineers.
We have built a strong reputation for delivering reliable, high-quality workmanship, reflected in our excellent customer reviews and long-standing relationships with clients. Our varied workload offers apprentices the opportunity to gain experience on large-scale housing developments alongside smaller local building projects, providing a broad range of practical skills throughout the apprenticeship.
https://www.spplumbingcontracts.com (opens in new tab)
Full uniform provided.
PPE provided.
Paid annual leave.
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Successful completion of the apprenticeship could lead to a permanent full-time position with S&P Plumbing Contracts. There will be opportunities to further develop skills within the plumbing and heating industry, including domestic heating, renewable technologies and industry-recognised qualifications.
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
Colchester Institute - Apprenticeships Team
ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk
01206712043
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000044666.
Closes in 8 days (Saturday 12 September 2026)
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