Plumbing - Apprenticeship Level 2

Essentials

Duration: 2 Years Full-time
Start date: 4th September 2023
End date: 20th February 2026

Course fee: FREE (See eligibility criteria)

---

What is an Apprenticeship?

As an apprenticeship you are employed as full-time members of staff and typically work for an employer three to four days a week. One or two days a week is spent at college, studying for nationally-recognised qualifications in the same profession as the apprenticeship.

• You must find your own employer
• Some employers may require GCSEs on entry
• It might be possible to do an apprenticeship with a current employer
• You work all year round, but your College classes run from September to July

Employers pay for the day the apprentice is in college, meaning you will receive a full-time wage at least  in accordance with the national minimum wage

Details and restrictions

• Apprentices must be aged 16 or above. Restrictions apply for those over 25. (Age restrictions are currently under review by the Department for the Economy.
• Employers must be based in Northern Ireland
• Apprenticeships are part-funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund (ESF) and the Department for the Economy (DfE)

---

Course Content

The plumbing course is designed to meet industry standards and provides a good grounding for you to go out into the workplace.

Units include:

• Safety in plumbing activities
• Key plumbing principles
• Common plumbing processes
• Cold water systems
• Domestic hot water systems
• Sanitation Systems
• Rain Water Systems
• Central heating systems/pipework
• Environmental protection measures

Meet the Apprentice

Abigail shares her experiences on what it is like to work, earn and learn with an apprenticeship.

---

You must have:

• Attained the minimum school leaving age of 16 (currently under review by the Department for the Economy).
• Employed or be about to take up permanent paid employment with a Northern Ireland-based company and be contracted to work a minimum of 21 hours per week (including day release/off- the-job training) with one employer.
• The potential to successfully complete all the requirements of the appropriate Level 2 Apprenticeship Framework.
• Meet any health requirements (eg colour vision) specific to the occupation of their choice.
• Achieved any necessary entry academic qualifications (eg GCSE) determined by the relevant sector for the apprenticeship and approved by the Department for the Economy.
• Pass any entry tests specified by the relevant sector/employer and approved by the Department for the Economy.
• Attend an information session.

In the event of oversubscription, the College reserves the right to apply enhanced criteria. (Applicants with higher entry GCSE grades may be given priority)   See our Apprenticeship page for further details.

---

Following successful completion of the Level 2 Apprenticeship you may be able to progress to the Level 3 Apprenticeship or to employment in the field you have studied in.

---