Apprentice Plumber

COBALT HOUSING LIMITED

Prescot (L34 9ET)

Closes in 5 days (Tuesday 1 September 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 25 August 2026

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Summary

The apprentice will support the delivery of responsive repairs and empty home repairs across our homes. Working alongside experienced colleagues and an appointed mentor, the apprentice will gain practical workplace experience while contributing to the delivery of a high-quality service to customers. 

Wage

£25,775 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Plumbing and domestic heating technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Thursday, 8.00am - 4.30pm, with a 30-minute lunch break. Friday, 8.00am - 3.30pm, with a 30-minute lunch break.

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 14 September 2026

Duration

2 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

Planning and Organising

  • Attend college sessions, workshops and apprenticeship reviews.
  • Complete assignments, portfolio evidence and assessments within agreed timescales.
  • Prepare work areas, materials, tools and equipment safely.
  • Develop productivity and workmanship while completing tasks under supervision.

Plumbing Work

  • Work alongside an experienced mentor to carry out plumbing repairs, installations and maintenance.
  • Develop skills in fault diagnosis, pipework installation, repairs and replacement of plumbing components.
  • Assist with installing and repairing taps, toilets, sinks, baths, showers and other sanitaryware.
  • Learn to identify and resolve leaks, blockages and minor plumbing faults.
  • Develop knowledge of hot and cold water systems, drainage and water regulations.
  • Use plumbing tools, materials and equipment safely and effectively.

Learning and Development

  • Develop knowledge, skills and behaviours in line with the apprenticeship standard.
  • Participate in training, coaching and development opportunities.
  • Seek guidance and feedback from mentors, supervisors and training providers.
  • Gain experience across Cobalt to develop an understanding of social housing and customer service.
  • Learn to use Cobalt’s systems, technology and equipment.

Communication and Customer Service

  • Communicate professionally with customers, colleagues and training providers.
  • Deliver excellent customer service and treat customers with courtesy and respect.
  • Attend progress reviews and respond positively to feedback.
  • Build effective working relationships with colleagues and experienced trade operatives.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

  • Follow all risk assessments, procedures and safe working practices.
  • Wear appropriate PPE and use tools and equipment safely.
  • Report health and safety concerns to a supervisor or mentor.
  • Seek support when undertaking unfamiliar tasks.

Where you'll work

Villiers Court
Villiers Road, Knowsley Business Park
Prescot
L34 9ET

Training

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

Training provider

THE CITY OF LIVERPOOL 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

One study day each week during active college terms.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C (5 or above))
  • Maths (grade C (5 or above))

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • Basic trade skills
  • Willingness to learn

About this employer

Cobalt Housing is a community-based housing association providing affordable homes across North Liverpool. The organisation manages around 6,000 homes and is committed to providing safe, quality homes and supporting thriving communities. Cobalt Housing Property Services delivers repairs, maintenance and improvements to customers' homes.

https://cobalthousing.org.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

You’ll learn from experienced tradespeople, gain hands-on experience in our customers’ homes and work towards a recognised apprenticeship qualification. This is about more than completing repairs: every job is a chance to help someone feel safer, warmer and more at home. From your first day, we’ll support you to grow in confidence, take pride in your work and discover just how much difference your skills can make.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE CITY OF LIVERPOOL COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000049971.

Apply now

Closes in 5 days (Tuesday 1 September 2026 at 11:59pm)