Plumbing and Heating Apprentice

CJO PLUMBING AND HEATING LTD

COLCHESTER (CO6 2NL)

Closes on Friday 29 May 2026

Posted on 16 April 2026

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Summary

We are looking for a motivated plumbing and heating apprentice to join our team. You’ll work alongside our highly experience engineer, learning how to install, maintain and repair plumbing and heating systems.

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Plumbing and domestic heating technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 5.00pm, with a one hour lunch break.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

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

  • Assist with the Installation of boilers, radiators, pipework and hot water systems
  • Support servicing and maintenance of heating systems
  • Help diagnose faults and carry out basic repairs
  • Learn to work with copper, plastic and heating controls
  • Assist with landlord gas safety checks
  • Learn how to complete the necessary certifications
  • Keep tools, van and work areas clean and tidy
  • To turn up clean and presentable and be respectful when working in client properties
  • Follow health and safety regulations on site
  • Attend college / training as part of apprenticeship programme

Where you'll work

32 HALSTEAD ROAD
EARLS COLNE
COLCHESTER
CO6 2NL

Training

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

Training provider

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

Training course

Plumbing and domestic heating technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

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.

Training schedule

  • 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

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

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
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness
  • Punctuality / time keeping
  • Reliability
  • Willingness to learn

Other requirements

  • There will be periods of outdoor working.
  • Travelling in between jobs from site to site.
  • Some work will be required on computer / iPad to complete certifications.

About this employer

We are a family run business with over 25 years’ experience in plumbing and heating.

We provide services within Essex, Suffolk and surrounding areas.

We are fully insured.

We are qualified to work in gas oil and the renewable sector.  We hold qualifications with Gas Safe, OFTEC, WRAS, G3 unvented, BPEC heat pumps.

http://www.cjoplumbingandheating.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Pension Scheme
  • Annual Leave

After this apprenticeship

  • Qualified plumbing and heating engineer with potential full time job offer at end of successful apprenticeship

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

Colchester Institute - Apprenticeship Team

ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

01206 712043

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000025925.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 29 May 2026

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.