Plumbing and Domestic Heating Apprentice

Summary

Are you eager to launch your career in Plumbing and Domestic Heating?

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course

Plumbing and domestic heating technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Thursday, 08:00 - 16:30. Friday, 08:00 - 13:30.

39 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 8 September 2025

Duration

4 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

What you’ll be doing day-to-day:

Leybourne Urwin Ltd are seeking a dedicated and eager apprentice plumber to join their esteemed construction team. This entry-level position is a unique opportunity for individuals aspiring to build a successful career in plumbing. The apprentice plumber will undergo hands-on training under the supervision of experienced plumbers, gaining invaluable skills in installation, maintenance, and repair of plumbing systems.

As a vital member of our construction projects, you will assist in ensuring that all plumbing work complies with local and state codes and industry standards. This role not only involves practical tasks but also emphasises the importance of safety, teamwork, and effective communication on the job site. The successful candidate will engage in various tasks ranging from basic plumbing duties to more specialised functions as experience and skill levels grow.

We strongly encourage candidates who possess a passion for learning and demonstrate a commitment to quality work to apply. In this dynamic environment, the apprentice plumber will be instrumental in contributing to the success of our projects while building a solid foundation for their professional growth in the plumbing trade.

Responsibilities:

Assist experienced plumbers with installation and repair of plumbing systems.
Learn to read and interpret blueprints and technical drawings of plumbing systems.
Participate in the maintenance and repair of pipes, fixtures, and other plumbing equipment.
Ensure all work areas are clean and compliant with safety regulations.
Help in the identification of plumbing issues and troubleshooting problems on job sites.
Gain hands-on experience with tools and equipment used in plumbing work.
Support team members in completing plumbing tasks in a timely and efficient manner.

Where you’ll work

Leybourne Urwin Ltd, Cramar House, Tanfield Lea Industrial Estate South
Stanley
DH9 9QT

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

NEW COLLEGE DURHAM

Your training course

Plumbing and domestic heating technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

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.
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.

Your training plan

You will be in college 1 day per week and in the workplace 4 days per week.

You will complete the following modules across the duration of the apprenticeship:

Health and Safety
Communications in B.S.E
Scientific Principles
Cold Water Systems
Hot Water Systems
Central Heating Systems
Above Ground Drainage Systems
Natural Gas (Mandatory)

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Mathematics (grade 4)
English Language (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Team working
Problem solving skills

Other requirements

* National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices * This role will give you the opportunity to work for a market leading company, whilst gaining valuable skills and experience to ensure you develop to your full potential throughout the apprenticeship.

About this company

Leybourne Urwin Ltd was founded in 1882 by Mr Leybourne Urwin at Shotley Bridge, Consett. In 1910 a branch was opened at Stanley complete with showroom. It became a limited company in 1935. The company has remained in the Family since 1882 and is now run by the fourth generation, the founder’s great grandsons, Chris Urwin and Mark Urwin. Originally the company traded as plumbers, heating engineers, gas fitters and electricians and continues to specialise in all aspects of building services engineering. In 1978 the company built a purpose made factory/stores/office at Stanley with floor area of 8000 square feet built on a one acre site. These premises gave the company a modern environment and room for expansion. They were opened in January 1979 and have been modernised and expanded throughout the years. The company continues to trade successfully from these premises today with facilities a far cry from those available to its founder some 130 years ago.

After this apprenticeship

Upon completion of the apprenticeship you will be fully qualified as a Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: