The structure and content of the apprenticeship was decided by the Employer Group, made up of various employers ranging from sole traders and large businesses and was chaired by APHC Member David Merrett from Merrett’s Heating Services. Supported by APHC, a review of the current apprenticeship routes was undertaken by the group who identified a need for an apprenticeship for businesses working on larger buildings and systems as this has been an area that has been missing from apprenticeships for years.

As a result, once someone has completed their core plumbing content, there are now three pathways to choose from: gas leading to Gas Safe registration, environmental technologies (including solar thermal and air source heat pumps) leading to Competent Persons Scheme and Microgeneration Scheme and now this new non-domestic plumbing route. The non-domestic plumbing route will cover plumbing systems found in non-domestic buildings, for example, washrooms and larger above ground drainage systems.

The funding band recommendation for this new apprenticeship was the maximum funding level of £22,000, this was put forward to the Secretary of State for Education by the Employer Group and today APHC received approval that the funding level has been approved.

Awarding bodies and end point assessment organisations will be working together to develop the apprenticeship components which will be underpinned by a Level 3 Qualification and an End Point Assessment, which together demonstrate competence for Competent Persons Schemes and other competence-based certification schemes. The apprenticeship will be ready for delivery and with registrations open for new starters and transfers by June 2024.

A special thanks goes to The BPEC Charity and MCS Foundation for their support in the development of the Apprenticeship Standard along with CIPHE and the National Association of Plumbing Teachers.

Graeme Dryden, deputy chief executive & technical services manager at the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors commented: “This review has demonstrated that businesses in the modern plumbing and domestic heating industry need workforce who can adapt to changing technologies across several complex systems in a range of buildings and be at the forefront of meeting challenges like net zero, while making sure we maintain and continue to provide existing plumbing and domestic heating systems. The revisions to the apprenticeship will deliver a highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce and provide a solid foundation for future development in new and exciting areas.'

Further information on the APHC can be found at www.aphc.co.uk.