T Level Building Services Engineering – Plumbing, Heating and Gas Specialism – C7261

A dream team of building services engineers and construction experts came together to develop this specialist T level programme to meet the future needs of this industry and cover all the skills it desperately needs to prepare a new generation – you – to sort out the country’s heating and plumbing systems.

With blended-learning lessons and fun sessions in purpose-built workshops, you will get an in-depth introduction to how the construction industry works, the theories and principles of design, and the role of technology and sustainability, and head out on a 45-day industry placement to enhance your developing skills.

By the end of the two years, you know the ins and outs of the construction industry and are ready to don your hard hat and step on to any heating engineering and plumbing job or tackle a higher level apprenticeship or degree.

If you are not quite ready for a T level then a transition programme could be for you, giving you the chance to improve your maths and English (and any other subjects that you need to improve) to move on to a T level the following year. For more information about these courses, visit our T levels course page on our website.

If you are aged 16 to 18, you will be enrolled on a study programme. This will include retaking GCSEs or undertaking Functional Skills in English and maths if you haven’t already achieved a grade 4 or above.
You will take part in activities that help you to develop your personal skills, such as building your character and confidence. This will help you to live well and move into your chosen career.

Year 1

The first year builds solid foundations and gives you practical skills to use in any construction job – and, of course, you make a good start in building your plumbing and central heating engineering knowledge.

You cover:

1. health and safety
2. science, design, construction and the built environment
3. building technology
4. industry
5. sustainability
6. measurement
7. information and data
8. relationship management
9. digital technology
10. commercial/business

What’s not to get excited about ?

Year 2

With all you learn in year one in your toolkit, you’re totally ready to dive into year two. This is where things get real.

In your workshop and classroom sessions, you learn to install, commission, maintain and decommission heating and plumbing systems and, yes, before you ask, that includes drainage, plumbing hot and cold water systems and central heating systems.

With all that knowledge in your head, you start your 45-day industry placement, and hands-on experience to put all the theory into practice. And just being onsite as part of a team, developing your communication, workplace and problem-solving skills is a great opportunity.

You can do your placement as block release, day release or a bit of both – whatever works for you. We help you make the decision and find a place that really works. To get down and dirty, this is when you work on an employer set project, putting all your theories and skills into the real world.

If you need an extra hand with English, maths and digital skills relevant to building services engineering, our tutors work with you to get that all-important level 2 in English and maths, so you can complete the course and head into your career.

T levels are for people who are 16-18 on 31 August on the date that they start the course.

Standard entry to this course requires one reference. It is desirable that you can demonstrate a minimum of 90% attendance at your last place of work or study. A GCSE in both English and maths at grade 4 or above or Functional Skills in both English and maths at Level 2, plus two other GCSE’s at grade 4 or above including science and a design technology based related subject.

If you don’t meet these requirements but want to start on your chosen career path, entry requirements for Transition Programmes are slightly lower. You will need a grade 3 at GCSE (or functional skills level 2) in maths or English (and grade 3 in the other of these), plus two other GCSEs at grade 3. Students previously studying at the college will need to have attained a Level 1 Diploma in Electrical, plus English and maths at grade 3 or equivalent Functional Skills.

When you enrol, you will be on a 6-week probationary period. During this time, we will monitor your attendance, attainment and attitude toward study. At the end of the 6 weeks, we will talk to you about whether you should continue with the T level or whether an alternative course would be better suited to you.

There are several formal assessments during the two years: external exams, controlled assessments, practical summary assignments and an employer-led set project. 

Together, the assessments generate an overall grade of pass, merit, distinction or distinction*.

At the end of your T level, you receive a nationally recognised certificate with a clear breakdown of your achievements. The T level can be worth up to 168 UCAS points. 

Tuition fees

Tuition Fees (16-18): £0.00

Additional Costs

There are no tuition fees to study a T Level if you start before you are 19 years old but there will be materials costs that will need to be paid at the start of the course. This course is for under 19s only.

For construction T level courses the material fee is £300* for the two years, and this is payable at enrolment. You will also need to buy PPE (personal protective equipment) to make sure that you are safe while working and studying (approximately £35*), as well as toolkits to use in our workshops and on your industry placement (approximately £50*).

Basic stationery items such as pens, pencils, ring binders and writing paper and a Copy of the Onsite Guide will also be required. 

*prices correct December 2020 but may be subject to change.

Material Fees

£150.00

Disclaimer

If the course is longer than one year the total fees are for the first year only and further fees may apply in future years. All fees are based on a ‘home’ learner status. Please contact us for information on overseas fees.

For more information, please see our course fee disclaimers page.

Learn more about fees

Gaining a T level in construction opens the door to a lifelong, diverse career in plumbing and central heating engineering. But you can also continue on your journey and choose to move into higher education and do a degree or higher apprenticeship.

Our independent careers advisors can talk you through your options and help you find your perfect way forward. They have all the information, advice and guidance you need to boost your career.

Apply online via the College website, or if your school uses the Positive Steps @16 (PS16) application system please apply through this and speak to your careers advisor if you are unsure. You will need details of your qualifications, a reference, and a personal statement to complete your application. Once your application has been successfully processed, you will be sent a conditional offer and be invited to an interview at the College to meet key staff, learn more about your chosen course of study and tour the facilities. You will then need to confirm your acceptance of the course offered to you.