Apprentices work towards a number of qualifications, called a “Framework”, usually including an NVQ, a Technical Certificate, at least two Key Skills and Employment Rights & Responsibilities. Some frameworks also have additional skills tests.

The Apprenticeship Framework for Plumbing has the following qualifications –

- NVQ 2 Mechanical Engineering Services – Plumbing

• Unit 001 Maintain the safe working environment when undertaking plumbing work activities
• Unit 002 Maintain effective plumbing working relationships
• Unit 003 Contribute to the improvement of the plumbing work environment
• Unit 005 Install non-complex plumbing systems and components
• Unit 006 De-commission non-complex plumbing systems
• Unit 007 Maintain non-complex plumbing systems and components

- City & Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate – Basic Plumbing Skills

• Unit 1 Safety
• Unit 2 Key Principles
• Unit 3 Common Plumbing Processes
• Unit 4 Cold Water Systems
• Unit 5 Domestic Hot Water Systems
• Unit 6 Sanitation Systems
• Unit 7 Central Heating Systems (Pipework only)
• Unit 8 Electrical Supply and Earth Continuity
• Unit 9 Sheet Weatherings
• Unit 10 Environmental Awareness
• Unit 11 Effective Working Relationships
• Unit 12 Practical Unit

- Key Skills

• Application of Number Level 2
• Communication Level 2

- Employment Rights and Responsibilities

The Advanced Apprenticeship Framework for Plumbing has the following qualifications –

- NVQ 3 Mechanical Engineering Services – Domestic Plumbing

• Unit 001 Maintain the safe working environment when undertaking plumbing work activities
• Unit 002 Maintain effective plumbing working relationships
• Unit 004 Contribute to the improvement of plumbing business products and services
• Unit 008 Plan complex domestic plumbing work activities
• Unit 009 Install complex domestic plumbing systems and components
• Unit 010 Commission and de-commission complex domestic plumbing systems
• Unit 011 Service and maintain complex domestic plumbing systems and components
• Unit 034 Plan domestic plumbing gas systems work activities
• Unit 035 Install domestic plumbing gas systems and components
• Unit 036 Commission and de-commission domestic plumbing gas systems
• Unit 037 Service and maintain domestic plumbing gas systems and components

- Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) Gas Units

• CCN1 Core assessment
• CEN1 Central Heating Assessment
• WAT1 Instantaneous Water Heaters Assessment
• HTR1 Gas Fires & Heaters assessment
• CKR1 gas Cookers Assessment

- British Plumbers Employers Council (BPEC) Assessment

- City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate: Domestic Plumbing Studies

• Unit 1A Cold water systems
• Unit 2A Domestic hot water (inc unvented)
• Unit 3A Sanitation systems
• Unit 4A Central heating systems (including boilers & controls wiring)
• Unit 5A Gas natural or LPG
• Unit 6A Improvement of business products and services
• Unit 7A Practical unit

- Key Skills

• Application of Number Level 2
• Communication Level 2

- Employment Rights and Responsibilities