Apprentice Plumber
Gilks
NANTWICH (CW5 5LP)
Closes on Friday 27 February 2026
Posted on 23 January 2026
Contents
Summary
Become part of the future talent pipeline as a plumbing apprentice at this well-established Nantwich-based business. You will be fully trained with a Gilks mentor and Cheshire College assessor to become a qualified plumber with other future career training and development in mechanical engineering potentially ahead of you.
- Wage
-
£19,052.80 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Pay rates starting at £9.16 per hour in year1, increasing each year of apprenticeship.
- Training course
- Plumbing and domestic heating technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Working Monday-Friday between 8am-4:30pm.
40 hours a week
- Start date
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Tuesday 1 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
At Gilks we are passionate about harnessing the next generation of skilled Plumbers. Through our continued investment in our apprenticeship schemes, we provide you with the relevant knowledge and practical hands-on experience, to prepare you for a thriving career in the plumbing industry.
Once you complete your apprenticeship and qualify as a Plumber you will have the skills and knowledge to forge ahead with a career path in mechanical engineering. You will have a variety of opportunities to progress, working across a range of on-site projects, becoming a supervisor, or moving across as a trainee estimator or into contract management. We support continuous development, and those with the passion and skills to succeed can progress within the business.
What you'll learn:
- Installation, maintenance, and repair of advanced plumbing systems
- Diagnosing and fixing complex plumbing issues
- Understanding building codes and safety regulations
- Working with modern tools and technologies
- Customer service skills and client management
- Finishing techniques to create smooth, durable surfaces
Where you'll work
10B BEAM STREET
NANTWICH
CW5 5LP
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST
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
On joining Gilks, you will instantly become part of our team. You will be supported from day one by our Apprenticeship Officer, along with senior leaders and our team of experienced and qualified mechanical engineers. Our aim is to help you reach your potential to become an intrinsic member of our team.
You will receive a structured learning program that combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction and learning. The successful candidate will follow a Level 3 programme and study towards a full Standard as a Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician. This training will be structured and delivered by Cheshire College – South & West. Apprentices will be supported via an agreed training plan. The apprentice will receive regular visits with a dedicated Cheshire College assessor. The assessor will set individual learning tasks as part of the apprentice’s workplace training that will incorporate your daily roles and duties.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade C/4)
- Maths (grade C/4)
Desirable qualifications
Other 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
- Attention to detail
- Team working
- Initiative
- Responsible
About this employer
As a JIB member company, Gilks have provided commercial electrical and mechanical installation, maintenance, test and inspection services to customers nationally for over 60 years, and have built a solid reputation based on trust, and innovation. Our contracted work extends across several sectors, including NHS, Education, Care Homes, Health, Construction and Defence. With an extensive client base, we are still proud to provide the flexibility, and excellence in customer service and support of an independent business, whilst having the expertise and capabilities to manage and work within major contracts. We invest significantly into training and developing both new and experienced talent.
Company benefits
Holiday allowance 25 days not including bank holiday. Your birthday off. Employee benefits & discount scheme via Reward Gateway. Free employee wellbeing support for you and immediate family members 24/7.
After this apprenticeship
Future career progression and a full-time job within the successful Ethikos Group, which includes GILKS. The chance to broaden your career horizons and gain further training within mechanical engineering.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000009561.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 27 February 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.