Find an apprenticeship
Level 3 Plumbing and Heating Apprentice
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
To undertake a Level 3 Plumbing Apprenticeship through Oldham College whilst developing the knowledge, practical skills and behaviours required to become a qualified Plumber within First Choice Homes.
Do you enjoy problem solving and practical work? Would you like to earn while you learn and gain a recognised plumbing qualification?
Wage
£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Training Course
Plumbing and domestic heating technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday (Times to be confirmed). 37 hours a week
Start Date
Monday 7 September 2026
Duration
4 years
Positions Available
1
What you'll do at work
Working alongside experienced plumbers, you'll develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to become a qualified plumber whilst studying through Oldham College.
The postholder will carry out repairs, maintenance and refurbishment works to FCHO properties, learning to deliver high-quality workmanship, excellent customer service and safe working practices.
The apprentice will progressively develop the competence to undertake work independently whilst successfully completing all elements of their apprenticeship programme.
This apprenticeship offers genuine long-term career opportunities, with many of our apprentices progressing into permanent skilled trade roles.
You'll work across our housing stock helping prepare empty homes for new customers by carrying out a variety of plumbing repairs and installations.
You'll learn how to:
- Repair and replace pipework
- Install and maintain bathrooms and kitchens
- Fit taps, toilets, basins and sinks
- Diagnose and repair plumbing faults
- Install hot and cold water systems
- Carry out leak detection and repairs
- Use plumbing tools and equipment safely
- Read technical drawings and specifications
- Work alongside joiners, electricians, plasterers and other trades
- Follow health and safety legislation and safe systems of work
- Deliver excellent customer service to our customers
Where you'll work
22 Union Street
Oldham
Greater Manchester
OL1 1BE
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training Provider
THE OLDHAM COLLEGE
Training Course
Plumbing and domestic heating technician (level 3)
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.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Training Schedule
Training will take place one day per week at Oldham College.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Essential Qualifications
GCSE in:
- Any other 3 GCSE's (grade 9-4 (A*-C))
- Maths and English (grade 9-4 (A*-C))
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
Other Requirements
We're looking for someone who:
- Has a genuine interest in plumbing and heating
- Enjoys practical, hands-on work
- Is reliable, punctual and willing to learn
- Has good communication skills
- Can work as part of a team
- Takes pride in producing quality work
- Is committed to completing both the practical and classroom elements of the apprenticeship
- Driving licence desirable or willingness to work towards this
About this Employer
We are a housing association formed to benefit our local communities.
We are committed to our purpose of providing quality homes and services and with around 10% of the local population living in an FCHO home, we are proud to be an anchor organisation through our significant contribution as a large local business and employer.
We own and manage around 11,500 homes, have the highest regulatory (G1/V1) rating, and plan to build more than 600 affordable new homes in the coming years.
Company Benefits
What you'll receive:
- Paid employment whilst gaining a nationally recognised qualification
- Day release to Oldham College
- Support from experienced trade mentors
- Ongoing coaching and development
- High-quality PPE, tools and equipment
- Excellent employee benefits including generous annual leave, pension scheme and healthcare cash plan
- A real opportunity to secure a permanent career with FCHO
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay.
A real opportunity to secure a permanent career with FCHO.
Ask a Question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE OLDHAM COLLEGE
Lynne O'Grady
0161 785 4287
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000041738.
Apply Now
Closes in 13 days (Tuesday 11 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
Sign in or create an account
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location