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what is a plumbing apprenticeship

MANAGING AGENT

SNIPEF Training Services Ltd, is the training subsidiary company of SNIPEF. Established in 1983 the company acts as the Managing Agent and Training Provider offering the Modern Apprenticeship in Plumbing to young persons in Scotland. The Company meets the requirements the Scottish Quality Management System (SQMS) and is also a quality assured BS EN ISO 9002 company.

SNIPEF Training Services Ltd is involved in:

• The identification of appropriate vocational training courses.

• The administration of employees enrolled on the  SNIPEF Training Services Modern Apprentice course.

• The operation of funding arrangements

• Monitoring the vocational training received by the young persons through a team of 8 Regional Officers located throughout Scotland. The Regional Officers maintain contact and monitor the apprentice's progress both on and off the job.

ENTRY & ENROLMENT

Recruitment into the Plumbing Industry is by direct employment with a plumbing and heating firm. SNIPEF Training does not employ apprentices or place them with an employer. All apprentices who wish to undertake the Modern Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering Services: Domestic Plumbing must be employed.

School or college leavers aged 16-18 will be guaranteed a place on the Plumbing Programme (Skillseekers) so long as they are directly employed with a firm. Other young people aged 19-24 and apprentices 25+ also require to gain direct employment with a firm. Eligibility for access to Skillseekers is dependant on the particular Local Enterprise Company (LEC) area.

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A GOOD PLUMBER/HEATING ENGINEER

Potential apprentices are also expected to have a minimum of 4 standard grades at general level to access a Modern Apprenticeship in Plumbing. In addition all entrants must successfully complete and achieve a score of 60 in the Plumbing Industry's Apprentice Entrance Selection Test.

  > Guide to Plumbing Apprenticeship  [pdf]

  > Frequently Asked Questions  [pdf]

MODERN APPRENTICESHIP - OUTCOME

Each Modern Apprentice if successful will gain the SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority), Level 3 SVQ Modern Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering Services (MES) Domestic/ Plumbing and be graded by the Scottish and Northern Ireland Joint Industry Board (SNIJIB) for the Plumbing Industry as a Plumber.

COLLEGE FEES

Subject to age and LEC Funding SNIPEF Training will meet the full cost of the 3 year College programme. Modern Apprentices on the programme will receive a weekly wage from their employer while attending work and College and may be eligible to receive help with travel costs to and from College. The rates of wages of apprentices are set by the (SNIJIB) for the Plumbing Industry as a Plumber.

APPRENTICE TRAINING IN NORTHERN IRELAND

SNIPEF Training Services Limited does not currently operate in Northern Ireland as a Managing Agent. Funding is however available for MAs through the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL). There is a network of Colleges/Training Centres which deliver the Plumbing NVQs. All plumbing training carried out should be in accordance with the requirements of the SNIJIB Craft Training Scheme and Grading Scheme.