Gas and Heating Engineer Apprentice
OXFORD DIRECT SERVICES LIMITED
Oxford (OX4 2RH)
Closes in 25 days (Sunday 31 May 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 6 May 2026
Contents
Summary
Gain hands-on experience while training as a Plumbing & Domestic Heating Technician with ODS. You’ll work alongside skilled engineers, learn industry-standard techniques and complete a Level 3 apprenticeship with clear progression and professional recognition.
- Wage
-
£15,434.20 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Salary reviewed in line with apprenticeship progression and policy.
2nd Year £16,713
3rd Year £23,655
4th year £26,084
- Training course
- Plumbing and domestic heating technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
8:00am - 4:00pm Monday to Thursday and 8:00am - 3:30pm Friday, 30-min break
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 6 months
- Positions available
-
3
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 installing and repairing plumbing systems (baths, sinks, toilets, waste systems)
- Support fitting and maintenance of hot and cold-water systems
- Learn to install central heating and gas systems (from Year 3)
- Assist with servicing and repair of gas appliances (from Year 3)
- Support installation and maintenance of renewable energy systems (from Year 3)
- Attend college, training sessions and complete apprenticeship assessments
- Work closely with mentors and experienced technicians
Where you'll work
Horspath Road
Oxford
OX4 2RH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
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
Delivery model:
- Work-based training with your employer
- Day release during term time (approximately 1 day a week for 3 years)
- Regular meetings with your training coordinator to monitor progress and well-being
- Approximately 5 on-site assessment visits per year
- Apprentices will need to complete a minimum of 857 hours of off-the-job training during their apprenticeship
Qualifications included:
- City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating
- Level 3 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship
End Point Assessment:
- Multiple choice test
- Design project
- Practical installation and application test
- Professional discussion, based on a portfolio completed during the apprenticeship
More training information
College training is currently being delivered in Bicester Construction Skills Centre.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Willingness to learn
- Strong work ethic
Other requirements
- The role involves physical work, including lifting and working on building sites
- Some work may take place outdoors and in occupied buildings
- Commitment required to complete college-based and on-the-job training
Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon and Witney College deliver the training will be required to complete a series of initial assessments, essential eligibility checks and a phone interview to find out more about the apprenticeship process and training. As a new apprenticeship applicant, you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments, please call us on 01235 216216.
By applying for this vacancy, you are giving Abingdon and Witney College permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible.
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices is £8.00 per hour from April 2025. This applies to 16 - 18-year-old apprentices and those aged 19 and over during the first year of their apprenticeship. After this, the National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies. The wage for apprentices applies to time spent on the job, plus time spent in college.
About this employer
Oxford Direct Services (ODS) delivers high-quality, cost-effective public and commercial services on behalf of Oxford City Council. We are committed to “doing good business that’s good for everyone” and operate in line with our CARES values: Commitment, Aspiration, Respect, Engagement and Safety.
https://www.odsgroup.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Dedicated mentor
- Career development opportunities within ODS
- Pension scheme
- 29 days holiday raising to 33 after 5 years
- Discount gym membership & shopping platform
After this apprenticeship
On successful completion, there may be opportunities to progress into a qualified Plumbing & Domestic Heating Technician role within ODS, with further development including professional registration (EngTech) and industry certification.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Aneta Helliwell
apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
01235 216 216
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000029014.
Apply now
Closes in 25 days (Sunday 31 May 2026 at 11:59pm)