Course Overview

You need to be employed to start an Apprenticeship. Please visit our vacancy page or if you have an employer, please ensure you add full contact details of your employer within your application. If you are unable to secure employment, you could enrol on a full-time study programme and transfer to an Apprenticeship at a later date. Please apply for a full-time course as your second option.

This Apprenticeship is for anyone who is looking for a career in the water utilities industry. Employers value the practical skills that an Apprenticeship will provide and view this as an important route to bring new talent into their workforce.

Apprentices will work towards a Level 2 Diploma which will give them first-hand experience in main laying, repair and maintenance and the potential to move into a permanent role at the end of the apprenticeship. Candidates are required to have secured an Apprenticeship with an employer to attend this course.

The course is made up of lectures, tutorials, workshops and practicals. There are 13 units altogether, these are:

• Understanding employment rights and responsibilities in the energy and utility sector
• Understanding main laying of ductile iron pipes
• Understanding the main laying of plastic pipe materials
• Understanding main laying: butt fusion of polyethylene pipes
• Understanding main laying: electrofusion of polyethylene pipes
• Understanding how to carry out main repairs
• Understanding how to carry out alterations to existing mains
• Understanding the installation of polyethylene service pipes
• Understanding the installation of new copper service pipe
• Understanding how to make service pipe connections, under pressure, using dual spindle machines
• Understanding how to make service pipe connections, under pressure, using single spindle machines
• Understanding electrofusion jointing for polyethylene pipes and ferrules in service laying
• Understanding the repair and modification of service pipe
• Understanding the installation of water meters and proprietary boundary box systems

Bolt on units are available to meet the employer’s business needs at an additional cost. Depending on English and Maths qualifications learners may also need to study functional skills alongside the Apprenticeship.

Assessment Methods

• Written examination
• Practical assessment
• Written coursework
• Presentations
• Portfolio