New standards on the way for plumbing apprenticeships

New Level 2 and Level 3 plumbing apprenticeship standards are on the way after the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) gave the CIPHE formal approval to develop them.

The new standards aim to reflect the realities on site and have been developed by the CIPHE’s proactive Plumbing Employers’ Group, made up of sole traders, SMEs and larger employers. The group also engaged with plumbing industry affiliated bodies, including colleges, training centres, manufacturers, merchants, industry representative organisations, government departments and other industry bodies.

Last year, the CIPHE’s Education Survey found that 90% of respondents supported a proposal to introduce both Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships.

The proposed approach intends to implement two new apprenticeships that maintain high standards as well as improving course accessibility and providing additional career entry points for those looking to join the industry.

The Level 2 Standard will enable apprentices to complete an End Point Assessment covering topics such as hot and cold water installations, as well as sanitation and rainwater systems.

Successful completion of a Level 2 apprenticeship in plumbing will provide learners with a wide range of options to progress to Level 3. This will include low-carbon heating, gas engineering and the plumbing-focused apprenticeship that introduces further assessment on advanced hot and cold water, low-temperature hot water heating systems and plumbing/heating systems design.

The developments come as the industry faces a major skills shortage, with estimates that 73,700 new plumbers are needed by 2032^[1], while current construction apprenticeship drop-out rates stand at around a staggering 47%, according to a recent report from the British Association of Construction Heads (BACH).

Kevin Wellman, chief executive officer at the CIPHE, says: “We need to attract and retain talent in this sector: there are no two ways about it.

“To address this issue, we have been guided by industry employers who want to see a qualification that will create additional career entry points, enhance accessibility, and encourage employers to take on an apprentice.

“I believe the qualification will protect high standards of work whilst simultaneously providing more career pathway opportunities for plumbing apprentices.”

¹ UK Trade Skills Index 2023