About the course

This course is subject to change. Please check back here at regular intervals for more information.

For candidates who want to work as plumbers in the building services engineering sector. This qualification does not make candidates fully qualified plumbers but en

ables them to gain the relevant hand skills and knowledge T Levels are new, two-year, technical study programmes, designed with employers to give young people the skills that industry needs. 

T Levels are designed to deliver world-class technical education and give you a new choice after GCSEs. The Construction T level has been designed with leading businesses and employers in the construction industry and gives you:

• A thorough understanding of concepts and theories of the construction industry.
• The opportunity to solve real life problems in the construction industry.
• Valuable experience of learning from the experts through working side by side with those in the construction industry on your industry placement so that you have the chance to learn what this career is like in the real world while you continue your studies.
• Specialist knowledge and skills of electrical and electronic systems engineering.

Entry requirements

5 GCSEs grade 4 and above, including English, Maths and Science.

How much does it cost?

Free to those aged 16-18

This course is not currently available for 19+ learners.

There is a range of financial support that you may be entitled to, including Learner Support funds, grants and bursaries.

Why study?

T Levels are new courses which will follow GCSEs and will be equivalent to 3 A Levels. These 2-year courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares learners for work.

The purpose of this qualification is for learners to know and undertake fundamental Electrotechnical systems engineering processes and procedures. Learners will have the opportunity to plan, perform and evaluate their work whilst using a range of materials, methods and techniques.

Guest speakers:
CIPHE – Chartered Institute for Plumbing and Heating Engineering.

Where will this course take me?

T Levels offer many opportunities for progression:

The T Level study programme is eligible for UCAS points.  A T Level Distinction* is worth the same as 3 A Levels at A* and will be recognised by universities.

Enter Employment: You can use the skills, knowledge and experience you have gained to start working in the construction industry.

Apprenticeship: There are many opportunities offered through apprenticeships that allow you to carry on learning (20%) whilst spending most of your time (80%) furthering your skills in the workplace.

There are a variety of careers you can pursue once you have completed the course as the knowledge, skills and behaviours you will develop are highly prized within a broad range of businesses.

Possible careers:

1. Plumber
2. Domestic Heating Engineer 
3. Domestic Heating Installer
4. Heating and Ventilation Engineer
5. Environmental Technologies Technician

Core modules

Year 1 is made up of three key parts: 

1. Core knowledge and understanding across Building Services: 

• Engineering
• Health and safety
• Legislation, regulations and standards
• Building services engineering (BSE) systems
• Maintenance principles
• Information and data
• Sustainability
• Building technology
• Tools, equipment and materials
• Measurement

2. Employer-set project

The employer-set project ensures students have the opportunity to combine core knowledge and skills to develop a substantial piece of work in response to an employer set brief. 

3. Industry Placement: Towards the end of the year, you will get the opportunity to put the knowledge and skills you have learned in to action as you start your industry placement. You will work with an external construction industry employer to apply your knowledge and develop your technical skills in a real-life construction workplace. 

Year 2 is made of the following two parts:

1. Awarding organisations will need to ensure that students have an up-to-date knowledge of the legal and regulatory obligations relating to employment in the occupations relevant to the T Level, and understand the practical implication of these on their work. In line with current industry expectations, those working in Building Services Engineering are required to deal with more than one system. As a result, it is expected that students will undertake a combination of at least two occupational specialisms to support their progression to the labour market on completion of the T Level

Occupational Specialism: Heating engineering

Performance Outcome 1: Install heating systems

Performance Outcome 2: Commission heating systems

Performance Outcome 3: Maintain heating systems

Performance Outcome 4: Decommission heating systems

Occupational Specialism: Plumbing

Performance Outcome 1: Install plumbing systems

Performance Outcome 2: Commission plumbing systems Performance Outcome 3: Maintain plumbing systems

Performance Outcome 4: Decommission plumbing systems

2. Continuation of your Industry Placement; with an external construction industry employer which will develop your technical skills and apply your knowledge in a workplace environment.

Across year one and two, you will complete at least 45 days in total working in the construction industry, giving you valuable experience in the workplace and employers the chance to see the new talent in their industry.  

How will I be assessed?

Year 1:

Core Assessment: Externally Set Test – Paper 1 and Paper 2 are both graded A*-E.

Employer Set Project: Externally assessed project work is graded A*-E.

Industry Placement: Evidence log to show completion of hours required and evidence of development of technical skills and application of knowledge in a workplace environment.

Year 2:

Synoptic assessment to judge how well the competence requirements have been met. Graded: Distinction, Merit or Pass.

Industry Placement: Evidence log to show completion of hours required and evidence of development of technical skills and application of knowledge in a workplace environment.

Will I have to provide anything?

Personal Protective Equipment

Basic Hand tools – (Lists will be provided at the enrolment stage)

Basic stationary – (Lists will be provided at the enrolment stage)

The City and Guilds textbook Plumbing book 1 and 2.