1. home and garden
2. home improvement and repair
3. plumbing

Starting Work
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JTL Advanced Apprentice
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Contents
Page
1. Introduction
2
2. Advanced Apprenticeships
3
3. National Vocational Qualifications
4
4. The Construction Industry
5
5. The Electrical Contracting Industry and the Role of the Electrician
6
6. The Electrical Contracting Industry Structure
7
7. The JTL Electrical Apprentice Training Programme
9
8. The Plumbing Industry and the Role of the Plumber
12
9. The Plumbing Industry Structure
13
10. The JTL Plumbing Apprentice Training Programme
15
11. The Engineering Maintenance Sector & the Role of the Engineering Maintenance Engineer
17
12. The Engineering Maintenance Industry Structure
18
13. The JTL Engineering Maintenance Apprentice Training Programme
20
14. The Heating and Ventilating Industry and the Role of the Heating and Ventilating Fitter
22
15. The Heating and Ventilating Industry Structure
23
16. The JTL Heating and Ventilating Apprentice Training Programme
25
17. The Industry and the Role of the Machine Repair and Rewind Operative
27
18. The Electrical Machine Repair and Rewind Industry Structure
28
19. The JTL Electrical Machine Repair and Rewind Apprentice Training Programme
30
20. Your First Day With Your Employer
33
21. Working Safely
35
22. Work Safely
37
23. Your First Day at the Training Centre
38
24. Frequently Asked Questions
41
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Introduction
Firstly, well done, you’ve got an apprenticeship!
You are now employed within the building services engineering industry as an Advanced Apprentice.
However, the first days in any new job can be exciting, perhaps strange, sometimes even uncomfortable
and it can take a short while before you start to feel settled.
It’s only when you are settled that you can begin to co-operate with your new employer and learn all the
aspects of the job as quickly and efficiently as you can.
The purpose of this guide is therefore to give you some information about the industry that you are now
employed in, the training that you will receive and also to try and answer some of the questions that
most people have when they start a new job.
You should read each section of the guide carefully, making sure that you fully understand its content
before looking at the next section.
Should you remain unsure about anything having read the book, then please contact either your local
JTL representative (if already known to you) or JTL directly on our Freephone helpline on
0800 0852308.
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Advanced Apprenticeships
Nowadays the term ‘Apprenticeships’ means a Government funded programme that can be said to
combine the positive aspects of the traditional apprenticeship within a defined programme of training.
Consequently, they enable participants to learn on-the-job while building up skills and gaining
qualifications, and are available in a broad range of industry sectors.
Government requires that all ‘Apprenticeship’ frameworks must be comprised:
A competence based element;
A knowledge based element;
Key Skills;
Employment rights and responsibilities.
There is a Sector Skills Council for every industry sector responsible for developing each Apprenticeship
‘Framework’. This framework clearly stipulates such things as the basic content and duration of the
apprenticeship. This ensures that each apprenticeship is relevant to, and respected by, the industry sector
concerned.
For the Advanced Apprenticeship, Government requires the framework to reflect a higher level of
competence and knowledge. Therefore, the Advanced Apprenticeship framework comprises the
following elements:
A Technical Certificate at Level 3 (the knowledge element);
Key Skills;
An NVQ at Level 3 (the competence element);
Specified elements that may be required by a particular occupation;
Employment rights and responsibilities.
The Advanced Apprenticeship programme receives substantial financial support from Government via the
Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in England and the Welsh Assembly (WAG) in Wales.
This financial support is then used to help each individual obtain, and each industry provide, the best
possible training within the apprenticeship programme.
In the case of JTL, all apprentices who meet the Government funding criteria will commence their training
with JTL as an Advanced Apprentice and are expected to achieve the full Advanced Apprenticeship
framework at the end of their apprenticeship.
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National Vocational Qualifications
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ’s) are a system of qualifications that were introduced in the
mid-1980s, administered by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), and are awarded when
an individual can demonstrate that they are actually competent to do the job within the workplace.
Consequently, the most valid form of evidence of ability is by someone watching you do the job at your
workplace and JTL will regularly come onto sites to observe your performance in the workplace.
However, you will also be expected to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of these tasks
and this is normally measured using external written examinations, the Technical Certificate and oral
questioning by an ASSESSOR.
There are currently five levels of qualification within the NVQ system, Level 5 being the highest. For the
occupational areas within the building services engineering sector, it has been agreed that the NVQ
Level 3 is the minimum standard that must be attained for skilled status to be awarded.
As well as defining the Advanced Apprenticeship framework a SECTOR SKILLS COUNCIL is also
responsible for writing the NVQ standards of performance applicable to each occupational area,
whether you are an Electrician, Plumber, Maintenance Engineer, Machine Repair and Rewinder or
Heating and Ventilating fitter. It helps to think of these standards as being a little like a job description, in
that they are a task-by-task breakdown of all the things that each of these occupations should be able to
do.
Once the standards exist and are approved, it is then the role of an AWARDING BODY to monitor,
approve and supervise all arrangements for the assessment and verification of performance against these
standards.
It then becomes the role of an ASSESSOR to help you gather evidence for, and ultimately assess your
performance against, the NVQ standards.
The various roles and responsibilities, methods of evidence gathering and the evidence that you will
submit for the NVQ, are covered in a separate JTL publication and this will be discussed with you in
greater detail by your JTL appointed assessor at a later date.
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The Construction Industry
The Electrical Contracting, Plumbing, Engineering Maintenance and Heating and Ventilating industries
are some of the many industries that make up a larger sector known as construction.
The construction sector is one of the largest employment sectors in the UK. This sector employs well over
a million people, about half are skilled craft operatives (such as Electricians, Plumbers, Maintenance
Engineers, Ventilating Fitters and Machine Repair and Rewind operatives) and half being Management,
Technical and Clerical staff.
The various companies that exist within the construction sector vary in size from small, sole traders and
owner operators, through to large multi-national companies employing thousands of workers. The work
carried out by these companies is broad and varied, but we generally break it down into the following
categories:
Building and Structural Engineering
The building and supplying of all services to factories, offices, shops, hospitals, schools and houses etc.
Civil Engineering
Large scale projects such as building docks, harbours, bridges, mining and the building of all our roads
and highways.
Maintenance
The repair and renovation of existing buildings and structures.
Smaller companies may specialise in one of the above work areas. However, many of the larger
companies will undertake several or all of these areas of work.
When you are working on-site with your employer, you will often be working alongside other trades such
as bricklayers, plasterers, ceiling fixers and joiners, and each of these trades has an important role to
play in completing a building project.
Consequently, your ability to co-operate and establish professional relationships with both other trades
and work colleagues within your own company is an important issue. So much so, that it is an
assessable area of the NVQ.
If you are an Electrical Installation Apprentice, please now turn to page 6 and read through to
page 11.
If you are a Plumbing Apprentice, please now turn to page 12 and read through to page 16.
If you are a Engineering Maintenance Apprentice, please now turn to page 17 and read
through to page 21.
If you are a Heating and Ventilating Apprentice, please now turn to page 22 and read through
to page 26.
If you are an Electrical Machine Repair and Rewind Apprentice, please now turn to page 27
and read through to page 32.
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The Electrical Contracting Industry and the Role of the Electrician
As we said in the previous section, the electrical contracting industry is part of the construction industry.
As a part of that industry, electricians are likely, in general terms, to be responsible for the installation,
maintenance and repair of electrical services, both inside and outside buildings and structures such as
houses, hospitals, schools, factories and shops etc.
However, in recent years we have seen the introduction of new and more sophisticated equipment
and systems into our domestic, commercial and industrial buildings. Known often as building services
engineering, this can include the provision of all the electricity, gas, water and ventilation services within
a building and it can be seen to broaden the skills and responsibilities required of an electrician.
This incorporation of services and skills has led to the phrase electrical installation engineering industry
now being used to describe the industry instead of the more traditional phrase electrical contracting
industry. It is a phrase that is likely to become more common as time goes on.
Irrespective of the phrase used, the electrician’s job will vary and be dependent upon the type and
range of work that the employing company does. However, all electricians will have a broad range
of similar technical knowledge and practical skills to enable them to carry out their work safely and
correctly.
Some of the duties that an electrician will be expected to carry out are listed below:
Install, maintain and repair electrical services, both in and outside of buildings;
Work indoors and outdoors and be prepared to sometimes work at height;
Work with little or no supervision, relying on their own initiative;
Be prepared to travel away from home;
Develop good working relationships with all relevant people;
Read both building and engineering drawings;
Understand wiring and circuit diagrams;
Select (within limits) materials and equipment;
Inspect and test electrical installations;
Diagnose and rectify faults on a range of circuits and equipment;
Prepare written reports.
As you can see the job of the electrician is varied and interesting and can offer a challenging career.
Consequently, the training programme that you will be following as a JTL apprentice has been designed
to help you by meeting and delivering training to these standards and expectations.
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The Electrical Contracting Industry Structure
There are a variety of organisations that you should be aware of within the industry and these are shown
as follows:
The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA)
www.eca.co.uk
The ECA represents the interests of electrical installation companies in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland and is the major association working within the electrical installation industry.
It was founded in 1901 and its member companies range in size from small traders with only a few
employees to large multi-national organisations operating on a worldwide basis.
The aim of the ECA is to ensure that all electrical installation work is carried out to the highest standards
by properly qualified staff. Consequently, firms who wish to become members of the ECA must
demonstrate that they have procedures, staff and systems of the highest calibre.
The National Inspection Council For Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC)
www.niceic.org.uk
The NICEIC is an accredited certification body set up in 1956 to protect users of electricity against the
hazards of unsafe and unsound electrical installations. It is the industry’s independent electrical safety
regulatory body and not a trade association.
The NICEIC maintains a roll of approved electrical contractors that meet the council’s rules relating to
enrolment and national technical safety standards including BS 7671 (IEE Wiring Regulations). The roll is
published annually and regularly updated on the NICEIC website so that consumers and specifiers can
select contractors that are technically competent.
The council also employs inspecting engineers who make annual visits to approved contractors to assess
their technical capability and inspect samples of their work.
Unite the Union
www.unitetheunion.org.uk
All apprentices are entitled to join a trade union. The recognised trade union in the craft sector of the
building services engineering sector is Unite the Union. Formerly the Amalgamated Engineering &
Electrical Union (AEEU), and then Amicus, Unite is the UK’s largest engineering union with over two
million members.
When you begin your training with JTL you may be visited by a union representative. This person will
discuss with you the benefits of union membership and, while it is not compulsory to do so, you may
well choose to become a member of the union.
Should you require further information on this subject, please discuss the issue with your JTL
representative.
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The Electrical Contracting Industry Structure
The Joint Industry Board for the Electrical Contracting Industry (JIB)
www.jib.org.uk
Formed in 1968, the Joint Industry Board for the Electrical Contracting Industry (JIB) came into existence
as the result of an agreement between the ECA and the union.
Effectively the industrial relations arm of the industry, the main responsibility of the JIB is to agree national
working conditions and wage rates.
As a JTL Advanced Apprentice, you will be registered with the JIB, and providing that a JIB member
company employs you, you will be covered by all of their working conditions.
JTL
www.jtltraining.com
Established in 1989, JTL is the leading training provider to the building services engineering sector. JTL is
a registered charity, whose members are the ECA and Unite the Union, formerly Amicus. JTL is
responsible for meeting the training needs of the industry.
JTL manages the training of over 10,000 Electrical, Plumbing and Engineering Maintenance Apprentices
who are employed by over 4,000 companies across England and Wales. JTL works closely with the
industry to ensure that the training provided is exactly what the industry requires, both in terms of its
quality and its ability to meet both current and future recruitment needs.
As a JTL Advanced Apprentice, you will be assigned a JTL representative who will be involved with, and
responsible for, the management of all aspects of your training. Please feel free to discuss your training
with this person as and when you require.
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The JTL Electrical Apprentice Training Programme
As you will have seen from the previous pages, several different organisations are involved with your
training programme and when you commence training with JTL, all your training will follow the JIB 2004
Apprenticeship Scheme. This apprenticeship scheme was introduced by the JIB to define standards for
entry, training and education of electrical installation apprentices in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland.
As such the scheme ensures that all training is carried out to the NVQ national standards at Level 3 and
meets the criteria of an Electrical Advanced Apprenticeship. Consequently, the JTL training scheme is
designed for a full competence based assessment, which relies on the recording of your competence in
the workplace via the use of an NVQ portfolio.
The portfolios are an integral part of the assessment process and their use will be discussed with you in
greater detail by your JTL appointed assessor at a later date.
The JTL training scheme itself is broken down into four stages that lead to achievement of the NVQ Level
3 and Electrician status. The overall scheme is not dependent on time serving, but instead Apprentices
move through the various stages based upon the successful completion of a preceding stage.
However, our experience in training apprentice electricians shows us that the average time taken to
complete the training and qualify as an electrician is likely to be about four years.
The various stages of the JIB 2004 Apprenticeship Scheme are shown as follows:
Stage 1
This is the logical starting point at which you join the industry as an employed apprentice electrician.
In this section you will be referred to as a STAGE 1 APPRENTICE and should receive an agreed wage
as determined by the JIB. However, this may vary depending on whether or not you work for a JIB
member company.
During this stage, you will be required to attend a course of training and further education at a JTL
approved training centre. The remaining time in this stage is spent on-site with your employer developing
your performance using the skills you have learned in the training centre. Depending on your experience
you will also generate and collect evidence of your performance in your NVQ portfolio.
In order to complete Stage 1, you will need to have attained those parts of the agreed Individual
Learning Plan (ILP) that you are scheduled to complete at this stage.
Stage 2
In this section you will be referred to as a STAGE 2 APPRENTICE and your wages should be increased
to reflect your improved ability.
During this stage, you will be required to attend a course of training and further education at a JTL
approved training centre. The remaining time in this stage is spent on-site with your employer developing
your performance using the skills you have learned in the training centre. Depending on your experience
you may also generate and collect evidence of your performance in your NVQ portfolio.
In order to complete Stage 2, you will need to have attained those parts of the agreed Individual
Learning Plan (ILP) that you are scheduled to complete at this stage.
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The JTL Electrical Apprentice Training Programme
Stage 3
In this section you will be referred to as a STAGE 3 APPRENTICE and your wages should again be
increased to reflect your improved ability.
During this stage, you may be required to attend a course of training and further education at a JTL
approved training centre to complete the City & Guilds 2330 Technical certificate.
The remaining time in this stage is spent on-site with your employer developing your performance using
the skills you have learned in the training centre. You will also begin to generate and collect evidence of
your competent performance in your NVQ portfolio. Completion of Stage 3 will come 12 calendar
months after the advancement date to Stage 3.
Stage 4
In this section you will be referred to as a STAGE 4 APPRENTICE and your wages should again be
increased to reflect your improved ability.
As a Stage 4 apprentice you will again continue your on-site training with your employer, but you will
also be preparing for the final aspect of the framework, the Achievement Measurement 2 (AM2) skills
test as well as completing your NVQ Level 3 portfolio of evidence, which must be completed before the
AM2 can be taken.
It is a scheme requirement that you liaise closely with your employer and JTL representative when making
arrangements to take your AM2. You will not be allowed to take it unless you are competent to do so.
Completion of the apprenticeship
Once you have successfully completed Stages 1- 4, completion of your apprenticeship requires
attainment of the Advanced Apprenticeship framework completion certificate. Reflecting the content of
stages 1 to 4, this currently consists of the following components:
Key Skills certificates in:
Application of Number (Level 2);
Communication (Level 2);
Information Technology (Level 1);
City & Guilds 2330 Technical Certificate at Level 2;
City & Guilds 2330 Technical Certificate at Level 3;
AM2 Skills Test;
NVQ Level 3 award.
Once you have successfully completed all aspects of the apprenticeship as detailed, JTL will apply for your NVQ
Level 3 and Advanced Apprenticeship completion certificates.
This is the essential component to allow completion of your apprenticeship. Your apprenticeship is not
complete without it! Only when this has taken place will you be eligible for grading as an electrician.
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The JTL Electrical Apprentice Training Programme
Important Note: Advancement between stages
Advancement is linked to both service AND attainment of qualifications and will be identified in your
Advanced Apprenticeship Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that will be agreed from the outset between you
and your Training Officer. With this in place it is then important for the employer and Training Officer to
work closely together to monitor the progress of an individual and identify any problems as early as
possible.
The JIB determination now states that in September of each year, employers must review your progress
and establish whether the training targets laid out in the ILP have been achieved. Once the Employer is
satisfied that the targets have been met (guidance on this can be obtained from the JTL Training Officer)
they must advance you to the next stage, with the enhanced hourly rate to be paid from the following
pay week.
Apprentices who do not meet their annual training targets will remain at their current stage for a further
period of six months when the situation will be reviewed. Failure to progress may result in termination of
the apprenticeship in line with procedures laid down by the JIB.
Now please turn to page 33 and start reading from
‘Your First Day with Your Employer’ to the end of the document.
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The Plumbing Industry and the Role of the Plumber
As stated earlier, the plumbing industry is part of the construction sector. As a part of that sector,
plumbers are likely, in general terms, to be responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of
plumbing services, both inside and outside buildings and structures such as houses, hospitals, schools,
factories and shops etc.
However, in recent years we have seen the introduction of new and more sophisticated equipment and
systems into our domestic, commercial and industrial buildings. Known often as building services
engineering, this can include the provision of all the electricity, gas, water and ventilation services within
a building and it can be seen to broaden the skills and responsibilities required of a plumber.
Consequently, the plumber’s job will vary and be dependent upon the type and range of work that the
employing company does. However, all plumbers will have a broad range of similar technical
knowledge and practical skills to enable them to carry out their work safely and correctly.
Some of the duties that a plumber will be expected to carry out are as follows:
Install, maintain and repair plumbing services, both in and outside of buildings;
Work indoors and outdoors and be prepared to sometimes work at height;
Work with little or no supervision, relying on their own initiative;
Be prepared to travel away from home;
Develop good working relationships with all relevant people;
Read both building and engineering drawings;
Understand heating control wiring and circuit diagrams;
Select (within limits) materials and equipment;
Inspect and test plumbing installations;
Diagnose and rectify faults on a range of circuits and equipment;
Prepare written reports.
As you can see the job of the plumber is varied and interesting and can offer a challenging career.
Consequently, the training programme that you will be following as a JTL apprentice is designed to help
you by meeting and delivering training to these standards and expectations.
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The Plumbing Industry Structure
There are a variety of organisations that you should be aware of within the industry and these are shown
as follows:
The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC)
www.aphc.co.uk
The APHC is the major trade association working within the plumbing industry. Trade associations
provide a number of services to their members including technical support, legal advice, representation
to Government on industry related matters, regular updates on the latest industry developments through
their own magazines, raising the profile of the membership to potential customers and many others.
Their membership is made up of businesses ranging from sole traders to larger organisations with strict
membership selection criteria to ensure a high standard of membership.
The Council of Registered Gas Installers (CORGI)
www.trustcorgi.com
The Council of Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) is the national watchdog for gas safety in the UK.
CORGI maintains an up-to-date register of competent and qualified gas installation businesses and
ensures that they and their employees are aware of the requirement to register. CORGI also raises the
awareness of gas safety with consumers and encourages them to only employ registered gas installers.
Unite the Union
www.unitetheunion.org.uk
All apprentices are entitled to join a trade union. The recognised trade union in the craft sector of the
building services engineering sector is Unite the Union. Formerly the Amalgamated Engineering &
Electrical Union (AEEU), and then Amicus, Unite is the UK’s largest engineering union with over two
million members.
When you begin your training with JTL you may be visited by a union representative. This person will
discuss with you the benefits of union membership and, while it is not compulsory to do so, you may
well choose to become a member of the union.
Should you require further information on this subject, please discuss the issue with your JTL
representative.
The Joint Industry Board for Plumbing Mechanical Engineering Services (JIB)
www.jib-pmes.org.uk
Formed in 1972, the Joint Industry Board for Plumbing Mechanical Engineering Services (JIB for short)
came into existence as the result of an agreement between the plumbing employers (represented by
the APHC) and the union (represented by Amicus – formerly the EETPU). Effectively the industrial
relations arm of the industry, the main responsibility of the JIB is to agree national working conditions
and wage rates.
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The Plumbing Industry Structure
JTL
www.jtltraining.com
Established in 1989, JTL is the leading training provider to the building services engineering sector. JTL is
a registered charity, whose members are the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and the Unite the
Union, formerly Amicus. JTL is responsible for meeting the training needs of the industry.
JTL manages the training of over 10,000 Electrical, Plumbing and Engineering Maintenance Apprentices
who are employed by over 4,000 companies across England and Wales. JTL works closely with the
industry to ensure that the training provided is exactly what the industry requires, both in terms of its
quality and its ability to meet both current and future recruitment needs.
As a JTL Advanced Apprentice, you will be assigned a JTL representative who will be involved with, and
responsible for, the management of all aspects of your training. Please feel free to discuss your training
with this person as and when you require.
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The JTL Plumbing Apprentice Training Programme
As you will have seen from the previous pages, several different organisations are involved with your
training programme. However, when you commence training with JTL, all apprentices and their
employers have agreed to do so under the conditions of the JTL Apprenticeship Scheme.
This apprenticeship scheme was introduced by JTL and defines the entry, training and education
requirements of plumbing apprentices in England and Wales.
As such the scheme ensures that all training is carried out to the NVQ national standards at Level 3 and
meets the criteria of an Advanced Apprenticeship. Consequently, the training scheme is designed for a
full competence based assessment, which relies on the recording of your competence in the workplace
via the use of Candidate Workplace Evidence Records. The workplace records are an integral part of
the NVQ assessment process and this will be discussed with you in greater detail by your JTL appointed
assessor at a later date.
The training scheme itself is delivered through a mixture of off-the-job learning (in the training centre) and
on-the-job learning (on-site with your employer).
The scheme incorporates the achievement of the NVQ Level 3, which is the nationally recognised
qualification for plumbing status, and is not dependent on time serving. However, our experience in
training apprentice plumbers shows us that the average time taken to complete the training and qualify
as a plumber is likely to be about four years.
The various components that will be covered within your JTL Apprenticeship Scheme are shown as
follows:
City & Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate in Basic Plumbing Studies;
MES (Mechanical Engineering Services) Plumbing NVQ Level 2;
Key Skill Certificates in:
Communication (Level 2);
Application of Number (Level 2);
City & Guilds Level 3 Technical Certificate in Domestic Plumbing Studies;
MES (Mechanical Engineering Services) Plumbing NVQ Level 3 (Domestic);
GAS ACS assessments (domestic qualification where supported by your employer), CCN1 &
CEN1 or LPG equivalent;
Water Regulations certificate (domestic qualification only);
Un-vented Hot Water certificate (domestic qualification only);
All the above topics will be explained to you in greater detail as the course progresses. However, if you
want to know anything now, please ask your JTL representative.
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The JTL Plumbing Apprentice Training Programme
Completion of the apprenticeship
Once you have successfully completed all aspects of the apprenticeship as detailed previously, JTL will
apply for your NVQ Level 3 and Advanced Apprenticeship completion certificates.
This is the essential component to allow completion of your apprenticeship. Your apprenticeship is
not complete without it!
Once you are in possession of the NVQ Level 3 and Advanced Apprenticeship completion certificate,
your employer may apply to the JIB to have completion of your apprenticeship recorded. However, this
applies to JIB participant companies only.
Only when this has taken place will you be issued with a JIB GRADE CARD. (This applies to JIB
participant companies only.)
Now please turn to page 33 and start reading from
‘Your First Day with Your Employer’ to the end of the document.
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The Engineering Maintenance Sector & the Role of the Engineering
Maintenance Engineer
The engineering maintenance sector is part of the engineering, process, manufacturing and service
industries.
As a part of that industry, maintenance personnel are likely, in general terms, to be responsible for minor
installations, maintenance and repair of electrical, mechanical services, and equipment both inside and
outside buildings and structures such as, offices, hospitals, schools, factories, shops and industrial sites.
However, in recent years we have seen the introduction of new and more sophisticated equipment and
systems into our commercial and industrial buildings. Known often as building services engineering, this
can include the provision of all the electricity, gas, water and ventilation services within a building and it
can be seen to broaden the skills and responsibilities required of a maintenance person.
The engineering maintenance role will vary and be dependent upon the type and range of work that the
employing company does. However, all technicians/engineers will have a broad range of similar
technical knowledge and practical skills to enable them to carry out their work safely and correctly.
Some of the duties that a maintenance technician/engineer will be expected to carry out are listed
below:
Install, maintain and repair electrical/mechanical services, both in and outside of buildings;
Work indoors and outdoors and be prepared to sometimes work at height;
Complete preventative maintenance tasks;
Fault diagnosis and correction of faults electrical and mechanical;
Work with permits to work, risk assessments and method statements;
Work with little or no supervision, relying on their own initiative;
Maybe required to travel away from home;
Develop good working relationships with all relevant people;
Working knowledge of Health & Safety, electrical and mechanical regulations;
Read both building and engineering drawings;
Understand wiring and circuit diagrams;
Select (within limits) materials and equipment;
Inspect and test electrical installations and equipment;
Inspect and test mechanical installations and equipment;
Diagnose and rectify faults on a range of circuits and equipment, both electrical and
mechanical;
Prepare written reports and maintenance logs.
As you can see the job of the maintenance technician/engineer is varied and interesting and can offer
a challenging career. Consequently, the training programme that you will be following as a JTL
apprentice has been designed to help you by meeting and delivering training to these standards and
expectations.
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The Engineering Maintenance Industry Structure
There are a variety of organisations that you should be aware of within the industry and these are shown
as follows:
Unite the Union
www.unitetheunion.org.uk
All apprentices are entitled to join a trade union. The recognised trade union in the craft sector of the
building services engineering sector is Unite the Union. Formerly the Amalgamated Engineering &
Electrical Union (AEEU), and then Amicus, Unite is the UK’s largest engineering union with over two
million members.
When you begin your training with JTL you may be visited by a union representative. This person will
discuss with you the benefits of union membership and, while it is not compulsory to do so, you may
well choose to become a member of the union.
Should you require further information on this subject, please discuss the issue with your JTL
representative.
Engineering Employers Federation (EEF)
www.eef.org.uk
The EEF represents the interests of engineering, manufacturing and technology based industries to the
Government, the European Union and the public at large. It has around 6,000 member companies
through its network of 12 regional associations across the UK. The EEF also provides specialist advise
in the following areas: employment law, employee relations, health and safety, education and training.
JTL
www.jtltraining.com
Established in 1989, JTL is the leading training provider to the building services engineering sector. JTL is
a registered charity, whose members are the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and Unite the
Union, formerly Amicus. JTL is responsible for meeting the training needs of the industry.
JTL manages the training of over 10,000 Electrical, Plumbing and Engineering Maintenance Apprentices
who are employed by over 4,000 companies across England and Wales. JTL works closely with the
industry to ensure that the training provided is exactly what the industry requires, both in terms of its
quality and its ability to meet both current and future recruitment needs.
As a JTL Advanced Apprentice, you will be assigned a JTL representative who will be involved with, and
responsible for, the management of all aspects of your training. Please feel free to discuss your training
with this person as and when you require.
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The Engineering Maintenance Industry Structure
Science Engineering Manufacturing Technologies Alliance (SEMTA)
www.semta.org.uk
SEMTA is the Sector Skills Council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies. The
organisation represents the interests of engineering employers to the Government to ensure that the skill
and training interests of the engineering sector are met. To achieve this, SEMTA also works in partnership
with employers in the following areas: research and development, developing national training models,
including apprenticeships, and monitoring occupational standards to promote careers in engineering
across the UK.
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The JTL Engineering Maintenance Apprentice Training Programme
The JTL training scheme leads to the achievement of NVQ Level 3 status. The overall scheme is not
dependent on time serving, but instead apprentices move through the various stages based upon the
successful completion of a preceding stage.
However, our experience in training engineering maintenance apprentices shows us that the average
time taken to complete the training and qualify is likely to be about four years.
The various stages of the apprenticeship scheme are shown as follows:
Year 1
During this first year you will be required to attend a course of training and further education at a JTL
approved training centre. Your pattern of attendance will be as locally agreed. The remaining time is
spent with your employer developing the skills you have learned in the training centre as well as
generating/collecting evidence of your performance via the NVQ Level 3 portfolio.
In order to complete your first year you will need to have attained:
Three units of Performing Engineering Operations (NVQ Level 2);
Three units of the Technical Certificate (Intermediate and Advanced level);
All practical exercises required for the Technical Certificate units/Performing Engineering
Operations (NVQ Level 2);
Completion of the Employment Rights and Responsibilities booklet.
Year 2
As a year two apprentice, you will continue your training with your employer as well as
generating/collecting evidence of your performance towards the NVQ standards via the NVQ Level 3
portfolio. During this stage you will be required to attend a course of training and further education at a
JTL approved training centre.
In order to complete year two you will need to have attained:
Key Skill Certificates in:
Application of Number (Level 2);
Communication (Level 2);
Information and Communication Technology (Level 2);
Working With Others (Level 2);
Improving Own Learning and Performance (Level 2);
Three units of Performing Engineering Operations (NVQ Level 2);
All practical exercises required for the Technical Certificate units/Performing Engineering Operations (NVQ
Level 2);
Three units of the Technical Certificate (Advanced Level).
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The JTL Engineering Maintenance Apprentice Training Programme
Year 3
As a year three apprentice you will spend your time continuing your training with your employer as well
as generating/collecting evidence of your performance towards the NVQ standards via the NVQ
portfolio.
During this stage you will be required to attend a course of training and further education at a JTL
approved training centre.
Completion of year three will come when you have attained:
Two units of Performing Engineering Operations (NVQ Level 2);
All practical exercises required for the Technical Certificate units/Performing Engineering
Operations (NVQ Level 2);
Four units of the Technical Certificate (Advanced Level).
Year 4
As a year four apprentice you will continue your training with your employer, but you will also be
preparing for the final aspects of the NVQ and the completion of your engineering maintenance NVQ
Level 3 portfolio of evidence.
Completion of the Engineering Maintenance Apprenticeship
To complete your engineering maintenance Advanced Apprenticeship requires the attainment of the
Advanced Apprenticeship completion certificate. This consists of the following components:
Key Skill Certificates in:
Communication (Level 2);
Application of Number (Level 2);
Information and Communication Technology (Level 2);
Improving own Learning and Performance Level (Level 2);
Working with Others (Level 2);
Performing Engineering Operations (NVQ Level 2) – 8 units;
NVQ Level 3 Engineering Maintenance – 8 units;
Advanced Diploma in Engineering Technology (Progressive) – 10 units;
Completion of the Employment Rights and Responsibilities booklet.
Now please turn to page 33 and start reading from
‘Your First Day with Your Employer’ to the end of the document.
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The Heating & Ventilating Industry & the Role of the
Heating & Ventilating Fitter
As stated earlier, the heating and ventilating industry is part of the construction sector. As a part
of that sector, heating fitters are likely, in general terms, to be responsible for the installation,
maintenance and repair of heating, hot and cold water services, both inside and outside
buildings and structures such as houses, hospitals, schools, factories and shops etc.
However, in recent years we have seen the introduction of new and more sophisticated
equipment and systems into our domestic, commercial and industrial buildings. Known often as
building services engineering, this can include the provision of all the electricity, gas, water,
heating and ventilating services within a building and it can be seen to broaden the skills and
responsibilities required of a heating fitter.
Consequently, the heating fitter's job will vary and be dependent upon the type and range of
work that the employing company does. However, all heating fitters will have a broad range of
similar technical knowledge and practical skills to enable them to carry out their work safely
and correctly.
Some of the duties that a heating fitter will be expected to carry out are as follows:
Install, maintain and repair heating services, both in and outside of buildings;
Work indoors and outdoors and be prepared to sometimes work at height;
Work with little or no supervision, relying on their own initiative;
Be prepared to travel away from home;
Develop good working relationships with all relevant people;
Read both building and engineering drawings;
Understand heating control wiring and circuit diagrams;
Select (within limits) materials and equipment;
Inspect and test heating installations;
Diagnose and rectify faults on a range of systems and equipment;
Prepare written reports.
As you can see the job of the heating fitter is varied and interesting and can offer a challenging
career. Consequently, the training programme that you will be following as a JTL apprentice is
designed to help you by meeting and delivering training to these standards and expectations.
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The Heating & Ventilating Industry Structure
There are a variety of organisations that you should be aware of within the industry and these
are shown as follows:
Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA)
www.hvca.org.uk
The HVCA is the major trade association working within the heating industry. Trade associations
provide a number of services to their members including technical support, legal advice,
representation to Government on industry related matters, regular updates on the latest industry
developments through their own magazines, raising the profile of the membership to potential
customers and many others.
Their membership is made up of businesses ranging from sole traders to larger organisations
with strict membership selection criteria to ensure a high standard of membership.
The Council of Registered Gas Installers (CORGI)
www.trustcorgi.com
The Council of Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) is the national watchdog for gas safety in the
UK. CORGI maintains an up-to-date register of competent and qualified gas installation
businesses and ensures that they and their employees are aware of the requirement to register.
CORGI also raises the awareness of gas safety with consumers and encourages them to only
employ registered gas installers.
Unite the Union
www.unitetheunion.org.uk
All apprentices are entitled to join a trade union. The recognised trade union in the craft sector
of the building services engineering sector is Unite the Union. Formerly the Amalgamated
Engineering and Electrical Union (AEEU), and then Amicus, Unite is the UK's largest engineering
union with over two million members.
When you begin your training with JTL you may be visited by a union representative. This
person will discuss with you the benefits of union membership and, while it is not compulsory to
do so, you may well choose to become a member of the union.
Should you require further information on this subject, please discuss the issue with your JTL
representative.
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The JTL Heating & Ventilating Industry Structure
JTL
www.jtltraining.com
Established in 1989, JTL is the leading training provider to the building services engineering
sector. A registered charity, whose members are the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA)
and Unite the Union, formerly Amicus. JTL is responsible for meeting the training needs of the
industry.
JTL manages the training of up to 10,000 electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilating and
engineering maintenance apprentices, who are employed by over 4,000 companies across
England and Wales.
JTL works closely with the industry to ensure that the training provided is exactly what the
industry requires, both in terms of its quality and its ability to meet both current and future
recruitment needs.
As a JTL Advanced Apprentice, you will be assigned a JTL representative who will be involved
with, and responsible for, all aspects of your training. Please feel free to discuss your training
with this person as and when you require.
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The JTL Heating & Ventilating Training Programme
As you will have seen from the previous pages, several different organisations are involved with
your training programme. However, when you commence training with JTL, all apprentices and
their employers have agreed to do so under the conditions of the JTL Apprenticeship Scheme.
This apprenticeship scheme was introduced by JTL and defines the entry, training and education
requirements of heating and ventilating apprentices in England and Wales.
As such the scheme ensures that all training is carried out to the NVQ national standards at
Level 3 and meets the criteria of an Advanced Apprenticeship. Consequently, the training
scheme is designed for a full competence based assessment, which relies on the recording of
your competence in the workplace via your portfolio. The workplace records are an integral
part of the NVQ assessment process and this will be discussed with you in greater detail by
your JTL appointed assessor at a later date.
The training scheme itself is delivered through a mixture of off-the-job learning (in the training
centre) and on-the-job learning (on-site with your employer).
The scheme incorporates the achievement of the NVQ Level 3, which is the nationally
recognised qualification for heating fitter status, and is not dependent on time serving. However,
our experience in training apprentice heating fitters shows us that the average time taken to
complete the training and qualify as a heating fitter is likely to be about three to four years.
The various components that will be covered within your JTL Apprenticeship Scheme are shown
as follows:
City & Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate in Basic Heating and Ventilating Studies;
Heating and Ventilating NVQ Level 2 (Industrial and Commercial);
City & Guilds Level 3 Technical Certificate in Heating and Ventilating Studies;
Heating and Ventilating NVQ Level 3 (Industrial and Commercial);
Key Skill Certificates in:
Communication (Level 2);
Application of Number (Level 2);
Information and Communication Technology (Level1).
All the above topics will be explained to you in greater detail as the course progresses.
However, if you want to know anything now, please ask your JTL representative.
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The Heating & Ventilating Training Programme
Completion of the apprenticeship
Once you have successfully completed all aspects of the apprenticeship as detailed previously,
JTL will apply for your NVQ Level 3 and Advanced Apprenticeship completion certificates.
This is the essential component to allow completion of your apprenticeship. Your
apprenticeship is not complete without it!
Once you are in possession of the NVQ Level 3 and Advanced Apprenticeship completion
certificate, your employer may apply to the JIB to have completion of your apprenticeship
recorded. However, this applies to JIB participant companies only.
Only when this has taken place will you be issued with a JIB GRADE CARD. (This applies to JIB
participant companies only.)
Now please turn to page 33 and start reading from
‘Your First Day with Your Employer’ to the end of the document.
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The Industry and the role of the Machine Repair & Rewind Operative
The machine repair and rewind industry is normally referred to as one of the 'allied trades'
within the electrotechnical industry. Consequently, as a part of that industry, machine repair and
rewind operatives are likely, in general terms, to be responsible for the installation, maintenance
and repair and reconditioning of electric motors, pumps and other rotating plant, including
controls and electronic equipment.
The job will vary and be dependent upon the type and range of work that the employing
company does. However, all operatives will have a broad range of similar technical knowledge
and practical skills to enable them to carry out their work safely and correctly.
Some of the duties that a qualified repair and rewind operative will be expected to carry out
are listed below, where this work could take place on a customers premises or within the repair
and rewind company workshops:
Inspect, test and fault find, repairs, rewinds and replaces motors, as well as fault finding and
repairing transformers. This typically could involve:
Maintaining, testing, rebuilding and repairing electric motors, transformers, switchgear,
generators and other electrical apparatus, both a.c. and d.c.;
Using testing and measuring equipment, including tachometers;
Replacing or reconditioning shafts, bearings, brushes and sliprings;
Winding, assembling and installing coils;
Testing, repairing or replacing wiring or components;
Soldering, greasing bearings, replacing or repairing shafts as required;
Using hand or power tools, such as multimeters, drill presses and soldering equipment;
Understanding electrical theory and regulatory requirements;
Install, maintain and repair electrical services, both in and outside of buildings;
Work indoors and outdoors and be prepared to sometimes work at height;
Work with little or no supervision, relying on their own initiative;
Be prepared to travel away from home;
Develop good working relationships with all relevant people;
Read both building and engineering drawings;
Understand wiring and circuit diagrams;
Select (within limits) materials and equipment;
Prepare written reports.
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The JTL Electrical Machine Repair & Rewind Industry Structure
There are a variety of organisations that you should be aware of within the industry and these
are shown as follows:
Unite the Union
www.unitetheunion.org.uk
All apprentices are entitled to join a trade union. The recognised trade union in the craft sector
of the building services engineering sector is Unite the Union. Formerly the Amalgamated
Engineering & Electrical Union (AEEU), and then Amicus, Unite is the UK's largest engineering
union with over two million members.
When you begin your training with JTL you may be visited by a union representative. This
person will discuss with you the benefits of union membership and, while it is not compulsory to
do so, you may well choose to become a member of the union.
Should you require further information on this subject, please discuss the issue with your JTL
representative.
The Joint Industry Board for the Electrical Contracting Industry (JIB)
www.jib.org.uk
Formed in 1968, the Joint Industry Board for the Electrical Contracting Industry (JIB) came into
existence as the result of an agreement between the ECA and the union.
Effectively the industrial relations arm of the industry, the main responsibility of the JIB is to agree
national working conditions and wage rates.
As a JTL Advanced Apprentice, you will be registered with the JIB, and providing that a JIB
member company employs you, you will be covered by all of their working conditions.
JTL
www.jtltraining.com
Established in 1989, JTL is the leading training provider to the building services engineering
sector. JTL is a registered charity, whose members are the ECA and Unite the Union, formerly
Amicus. JTL is responsible for meeting the training needs of the industry.
JTL manages the training of over 10,000 Electrical (including machine repair and rewind),
Plumbing, Engineering Maintenance and Heating and Ventilating Apprentices who are
employed by over 4,000 companies across England and Wales. JTL works closely with the
industry to ensure that the training provided is exactly what the industry requires, both in terms of
its quality and its ability to meet both current and future recruitment needs.
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The Electrical Machine Repair & Rewind Industry Structure
Association of Electrical & Mechanical Trades (AEMT)
www.aemt.co.uk
Established in 1944, the AEMT is the Trade Association for all companies who supply, repair,
or service, electrical and mechanical equipment.
The Association provides opportunities for discussion between the different engineering
disciplines through its developing regional and national meetings and today is in the forefront of
developing repair standards, efficiency programmes and training courses.
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The JTL Electrical Machine Repair & Rewind Apprentice Training Programme
As you will have seen from the previous pages, several different organisations are involved with
your training programme.
When you commence training with JTL, all your training will follow an apprenticeship scheme
jointly developed between AEMT and JTL that follows the framework requirements of the industry
Sector Skills Council - Summitskills.
As such the scheme ensures that all training is carried out to the NVQ national standards at
Level 3 and meets the criteria of a Machine Repair and Rewind Advanced Apprenticeship.
Consequently, the JTL training scheme is designed for a full competence based assessment,
which relies on the recording of your competence in the workplace via the use of an NVQ
portfolio.
The portfolios are an integral part of the assessment process and their use will be discussed with
you in greater detail by your JTL appointed assessor at a later date.
The JTL training scheme itself is broken down into four stages that lead to achievement of the
NVQ Level 3 and qualified status. The overall scheme is not dependent on time serving, but
instead Apprentices move through the various stages based upon the successful completion of a
preceding stage.
However, our experience in training apprentices shows us that the average time taken to
complete the training and reach qualified status is likely to be about four years.
The various stages of the JTL Apprenticeship Scheme are shown as follows:
Stage 1
This is the logical starting point at which you join the industry as an employed apprentice. In
this section you will be referred to as a STAGE 1 APPRENTICE and should receive an agreed
wage as determined by the JIB. However, this may vary depending on whether or not you work
for a JIB member company.
During this stage, you will be required to attend a course of training and further education at
Loughborough College. The remaining time in this stage is spent on-site with your employer
developing your performance using the skills you have learned in the training centre. Depending
on your experience, you may also generate and collect evidence of your competent
performance in your NVQ portfolio.
In order to complete Stage 1, you will need to have attained those parts of the agreed
Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that you are scheduled to complete at this stage.
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The JTL Electrical Machine Repair & Rewind Apprentice Training Programme
Stage 2
In this section you will be referred to as a STAGE 2 APPRENTICE and your wages should be
increased to reflect your improved ability.
During this stage, you will be required to complete your course of training and further education
at Loughborough College. The remaining time in this stage is spent on-site with your employer
developing your performance using the skills you have learned in the training centre. Depending
on your experience, you may also generate and collect evidence of your competent
performance in your NVQ portfolio.
In order to complete Stage 2, you will need to have attained those parts of the agreed
Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that you are scheduled to complete at this stage.
Stage 3
In this section you will be referred to as a STAGE 3 APPRENTICE and your wages should again
be increased to reflect your improved ability. The time in this stage is spent on-site with your
employer developing your performance using the skills you have learned in the training centre.
You will also begin to generate and collect evidence of your performance in your NVQ
portfolio. Completion of Stage 3 will come 12 calendar months after the advancement date to
Stage 3.
Stage 4
In this section you will be referred to as a STAGE 4 APPRENTICE and your wages should again
be increased to reflect your improved ability.
As a Stage 4 apprentice you will again continue your on-site training with your employer, but
you will also be preparing for the final aspect of the NVQ, the Practical Performance
Assessment (PPA) skills test as well as completing your NVQ Level 3 portfolio of evidence.
It is a scheme requirement that you liaise closely with your employer and your JTL representative
when making arrangements to take your PPA. You must complete your portfolio before the PPA
can be taken.
Completion of the apprenticeship:
Once you have successfully completed Stages 1-4, including your satisfactorily completed NVQ
portfolio, completion of your apprenticeship requires attainment of the Advanced Apprenticeship
framework completion certificate.
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Reflecting the content of Stages 1 to 4, this currently consists of the following components:
Key Skills certificates in:
Application of Number (Level 2)
Communication (Level 2)
Information Technology (Level 1)
City & Guilds 2330 Technical Certificate (Repair/Rewind) at Level 2
City & Guilds 2330 Technical Certificate (Repair/Rewind) at Level 3
PPA Skills Test
NVQ Level 3 award
Once you have successfully completed all aspects of the apprenticeship as detailed, JTL will
apply for your NVQ Level 3 and Advanced Apprenticeship completion certificates.
This is the essential component to allow completion of your apprenticeship. Your apprenticeship
is not complete without it! Only when this has taken place will you be eligible for grading as a
qualified operative.
Important Note: Advancement between stages
Advancement is linked to both service AND attainment of qualifications and will be identified in
your Advanced Apprenticeship Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that will be agreed from the outset
between you and your Training Officer. With this in place it is then important for the employer
and Training Officer to work closely together to monitor the progress of an individual and
identify any problems as early as possible.
The JIB determination now states that in September of each year, employers must review your
progress and establish whether the training targets laid out in the ILP have been achieved. Once
the Employer is satisfied that the targets have been met (guidance on this can be obtained from
the JTL Training Officer) they must advance you to the next stage, with the enhanced hourly rate
to be paid from the following pay week.
Apprentices who do not meet their annual training targets will remain at their current stage for a
further period of six months when the situation will be reviewed. Failure to progress may result in
termination of the apprenticeship in line with procedures laid down by the JIB.
Now please turn to page 33 and start reading from 'Your First Day with
Your Employer' to the end of the document.
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Your First Day With Your Employer
Getting there
It is always important to create the right impression and starting work with your employer is no different.
You must report for work on the correct date, in the right place and at the correct time. This information
may have been given to you at the interview with your company, or perhaps they wrote to you to inform
you of the start details.
Irrespective of how you received the information, it’s always sensible to arrive about 15 minutes early for
any appointment so that you can help create a good impression. So check your travel arrangements to
make sure that you are able to arrive on time.
It is very important that you contact your employer immediately if there is some reason why you cannot
start on the date specified. It is possible, provided your reason is acceptable to your company, that they
may be able to arrange an alternative starting date. However, please remember that it is your
responsibility to get to work on time.
What should I wear?
You should always dress in suitable clothes for the work that you will be doing, although different
employers can have differing requirements.
Some companies expect you to report to the office on your first day so that you can be given an
induction talk about the rules and procedures of the company. If this happens to you, then you should
arrive smartly dressed, displaying no particular fashion excesses, in comfortable clothing suitable for an
office environment. However, in most cases you will be required to report directly to the site and should
therefore be prepared for site work.
Your work can be messy and you will certainly come into situations where oil and dirt will damage your
everyday clothes. For this reason, your employer will advise you on the appropriate clothing to wear
and inform you of any specific items of clothing that the company will supply for you.
Some companies provide their employees with overalls, which you will be expected to wear. Normally
when this happens you are given more than one set, with the expectation that you will always be in a
position to be clean and smartly dressed, an important factor both in terms of your personal hygiene and
projecting the best company image.
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Your First Day With Your Employer
Will I need special footwear?
The simple answer is, yes!
Work sites can be dangerous places with many potential hazards. It is therefore essential that you arrive
on-site with the correct footwear to protect your feet. Your employer will have completed a risk
assessment of the working environment and where the risks cannot be controlled by any other means,
you may be required to wear safety boots or shoes. Where you are required to wear safety boots or
shoes in the course of your work, these will be supplied free of charge by your employer. This footwear
should be capable of giving your feet, especially the toes and instep, good protection against sharp
and falling objects with most having steel reinforced toecaps and additional protection around other
vulnerable areas.
Trainers and other types of canvas shoe are NOT suitable and should not be worn on-site. As part of
your training will also take place in a JTL approved training centre, you are unlikely to be allowed entry
to the workshops unless wearing the appropriate footwear.
Will I need any tools?
No one will expect you to own a full set of tools when you start work and you do not need to spend a
great deal of money to begin with. Some basic tools are all you need to start with and your employer
will be able to advise you which ones are required. Then, as you gain more experience, you can
acquire more tools to meet your developing needs.
You should only buy good quality tools, as they will last longer and prove less expensive in the long run.
As time goes by you may need special tools to carry out special tasks, but your employer will supply
these as and when required.
That said, having your own tools gives a feeling of independence and allows you to practise using
them, but you should consider purchasing a lockable toolbox to keep them in and it is also in your
interest to insure them against loss or theft. Many insurance companies offer a policy for just this
purpose.
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Working Safely
All employers are covered by the Health And Safety At Work Act 1974 (HASAWA) and this places
certain specific duties on both employers and employees, which must be complied with by law.
The HASAWA requires every employer to provide and maintain safe places and systems of work, give
appropriate training and to provide any specialist clothing and equipment that may be required from
time to time.
Each employee, and this includes you, is required by law to assist and co-operate with their employer
and others in making sure that safe working environments are maintained, that all safety equipment is
fully and correctly used and all safety procedures are followed.
There is personal equipment that you use to protect yourself from injury. This is called Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) and includes things like safety helmets (known as hard hats), safety boots or shoes,
safety glasses or goggles, gloves, ear defenders, aprons, kneepads and the overalls previously
described. If you are required to work on any specialised activities, then additional more specialised
PPE will be provided for your use, along with any training that may be required. The correct level of PPE
is determined by a process known as Risk Assessment.
When should I wear PPE?
All construction sites that you work on will require you to wear a similar basic level of PPE. That said,
specific circumstances will dictate the type of PPE that must be worn. If in doubt, please seek advice
from your supervisor or a colleague. For example:
Hard hats must be worn whenever there is a risk of you either striking your head or being hit by
falling objects.
Eye protection must be worn when performing tasks such as:
Drilling or chiselling masonry surfaces;
Grinding or using grinding equipment;
Driving nails into masonry;
Using cartridge operated fixing tools;
Drilling or chiselling metal;
Drilling any material that is above your head.
Ear protection should be worn when working close to noisy machinery or work operations. Failure to do
so can result in permanent damage to your hearing.
Gloves should be worn:
Whenever there is a risk to the hands from sharp objects or surfaces;
Handling bulky objects to prevent splinters, cuts or abrasion;
When working with corrosive or other chemical substances.
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Working Safely
Other items:
When working involves long periods of kneeling, or having to take your weight on your elbows,
you may be issued with specialist protectors for these areas.
Other items that you may use could include facemasks, safety harnesses or breathing apparatus.
Remember, accidents don’t just happen. They are caused and most of them are invariably the
result of human failing rather than defective equipment.
Therefore, all items of PPE that are provided for your protection must be worn and kept in good
condition. Any defects in your PPE should be immediately brought to the attention of your supervisor.
Your full compliance with health and safety rules, especially when backed up with a little bit of common
sense, will save either yourself or another person from having any accidents.
Don’t take risks!
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Work Safely
W
ork tidily and cleanly. Do not leave objects lying on the floor where they may cause accidents.
Clean all materials and debris away from the site at the end of the working day and ensure that
when working overhead on scaffolds, trestles, ladders and steps, you do not lay anything down in such
a position that it may fall on anyone or anything below.
0
bserve all rules and work instructions provided. When you start work your employer will make you
aware of the company’s rules and expectations with regard to safety. Each employer will have a
health and safety policy or statement and it is part of your job to acquaint yourself with the contents and
to ensure that all of your activities comply with the stated requirements.
R
unning or hurrying can cause accidents. Never run or take short cuts, even if you are in a hurry.
You may collide with someone, trip over an obstruction or run into a protruding object causing an
injury. It is always better to walk and arrive safely. Construction sites are particularly dangerous places to
work if you do not take common sense precautions.
K
eep all machinery and equipment well maintained and in good condition. Never use damaged
machinery or equipment and make sure that any damage that you may cause is reported or
repaired promptly so that it does not endanger the next user.
S
ecure all loose clothing and repair any torn articles immediately. Overalls should always be
fastened with no flaps or torn pieces hanging off that may become tangled with rotating machinery
etc. If your hair is long, it should be covered by a snood cap or tied up so that it is not a hazard and all
jewellery should be removed where a safety hazard exists.
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dvise supervisors immediately if you observe any unsafe practices, or notice any defects in any of
the equipment that is provided for use by yourself and others.
ollow all manufacturers’ instructions and recommendations when using items of equipment.
xamine all electrical tools and equipment very carefully before use to ensure that they are in good
working order and show signs of having been recently inspected.
et others know when you are working overhead or nearby when your activities may pose a particular
danger to them.
ou are responsible for the safety of yourself and others that you work with, or who may be affected
by your work. Everything that you do must be of the very highest commercial and safety standards
so that it DOES NOT present any significant danger to you or other people who may be affected by
your actions.
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Your First Day at the Training Centre
As we said earlier, for part of your apprenticeship, you will be required to attend a course of training
and further education at a JTL approved training centre.
As with your on-site work with your employer, it is important to create the right impression and you must
arrive at the training centre on the correct date and time, in the right location and reporting to the correct
person.
Normally your JTL representative will have given this information to you, in writing. However, your
Employer may also have provided it.
As with office work, you should arrive on the first day comfortably dressed, displaying no particular
fashion excesses. You will be expected to wear suitable site clothing when working in the workshop;
the training centre staff will advise you when this will be. However, on these days, if you arrive in
casual clothing you will not be allowed into the workshop.
During your first days at the training centre JTL will provide certain reference material but you will need to
bring the following items with you:
Your National Insurance (NI) number;
Proof of all your GCSE examination and previous Key Skills achievements;
Pens, pencils, ruler, etc;
A calculator;
An A4 lined writing pad;
An A4 ring binder.
Your first part of the training centre attendance will be devoted to induction and will include a discussion
of the following topics:
Structure of the industry
(This will vary depending on your occupational area.)
A brief industry history;
The various industry sectors (installation/maintenance/manufacturing);
Contractors (main and subcontractors);
The electrical contractor’s association or the association of plumbing and heating contractors or
the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association or AEMT;
Trade unions;
The JIB for the electrical contracting industry or the JIB for plumbing mechanical engineering
services and their national working rules;
NICEIC;
JTL.
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Processes and trades
The work of the electrician, plumber, maintenance engineer, heating fitter or machine repair and
rewinder;
Working with other trades;
Site organisation (clients, architects, consulting engineers etc);
Site safety (rules, regulations, responsibilities etc).
Conditions of employment
Wages;
Hours (rules, time sheets, overtime etc);
Holiday arrangements and pay;
Trade union membership;
JIB registration;
Sickness benefit;
Redundancy payment;
Contract of employment;
Income tax;
National Insurance contributions;
Health, safety and welfare.
Employers (general guidance)
Company structure;
Who does what;
Rules and regulations;
Sickness and other reporting systems;
The customer.
Your training and education
The stages of your JTL Advanced Apprenticeship scheme;
Course pattern and duration;
Course content;
Key Skills;
Training centre rules (attendance times, emergency procedures etc);
Health and safety (regulations, emergency procedures, workshop policy, etc).
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Career development and progression
Apprenticeship scheme;
NVQ’s;
Further education courses (City & Guilds and BTEC);
Government funding and the role of the Learning and Skills Council or WAG;
JIB grading;
Foundation Degrees.
Key Skills
Please be aware that each employer is also expected to give you a full induction, following a range of
topics advised by JTL. Once induction has been completed, the course really begins and will include
practical training. In addition, usually in your first year only, the following Key Skills will be
delivered/assessed where applicable:
Key Skills Title
Elec Installation
& Motor Rewind
Plumbing
Application of number
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Communication
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Level 2
Level 1
Level 2
Information & Communication Level 1
Technology
Heating &
Ventilating
Engineering
Maintenance
Level 2
Improving own Learning
Performance
Level 2
Working with others
(More in depth detail of Key Skills will be given as part of your initial induction session.)
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Frequently Asked Questions
In this section of the guide, we have tried to answer some of the more frequently asked questions.
Hopefully, the range covered will answer any queries that you may have. However, should you still
require any further information, then please do not hesitate and call either your local JTL representative
or the JTL Freephone help line on 0800 0852308.
Are there any general rules that I will have to follow?
The simple answer is yes. Now that you are a JTL apprentice you will be expected to conform to both
the rules of your employer and the training centre. Some training centres will issue you with a set of
these rules as part of your induction. That said, company rules are not normally explained in this way
and may instead be explained verbally, or displayed on notice boards.
General rules relate to start and finish times, when to hand in time sheets, absence reporting procedures
and compliance with health and safety. However, there will be many more things that you will need to
know and you should learn, as quickly as possible, what is expected of you.
What if I break the rules?
If you are disobedient, misbehave regularly, display a poor attitude or fail to attend at either work or the
training centre, then you will be subject to disciplinary action.
Within the terms of your apprenticeship, should you misbehave then your employer is permitted to
suspend you from work, without pay, for a period specified by the JIB. If you continue to misbehave,
then you will enter a process of written warnings that, should you fail to respond to, will result in your
dismissal and the termination of your apprenticeship.
Can I appeal against any disciplinary action?
If you feel that any disciplinary action taken against you is unfair, then you should discuss the matter
honestly and in full with your JTL representative who will advise the best course of action dependent
upon the situation. You may take the matter up with your trade union representative and ultimately, if
you remain dissatisfied with the result, you may refer the matter to the JIB if you are a JIB registered
apprentice.
How will I be paid?
This is to be agreed between yourself and your employer, however, as an apprentice it is likely that you
will be paid an hourly rate for the hours that you have worked. No doubt you will be looking forward
to getting your first week’s wages, unfortunately, you are likely to work for a second week before
receiving any money. This is quite common and is known as working a week in hand and its purpose is
to give employers a chance to work out the wages due to you and arrange to have the monies paid. If
at any time in the future you leave the company, you are of course paid this outstanding week’s wages.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will I be paid?
Paydays are related to the administrative working week of your employer, but are normally on either a
Thursday or Friday.
In the past employers used to deliver wage packets, containing wages in cash, directly to each worker.
In some companies this may still be the case, but it is much safer and more convenient for employers to
pay the money directly into a bank account and most employers have now moved to such a system.
Having said that, irrespective of which method is used, each time you are paid you must get an itemised
statement (wage slip) that explains how your wages were calculated. This may be still delivered to you,
or perhaps you have to collect it from the employer’s office. If so, remember to arrange a suitable time
for this to happen.
Remember to always check the accuracy of your wages as soon as it is given to you, and if you believe
it to be wrong then you should notify your supervisor and wages office immediately.
Are there any deductions made from my wages?
Your employer is only allowed to make deductions for income tax (PAYE) Pay As You Earn and National
Insurance (NI) contributions without your prior consent. However, where relevant (e.g. pension plans, tool
purchase, laundry schemes) you may authorise your employer to make other deductions from your
wages.
What is National Insurance?
It is a provision under law that a contribution be made to cover sickness, unemployment and pension
benefits. Any employed person between 16 and retiring age, with earnings above an agreed minimum,
is required to make this contribution called National Insurance. Your employer is also required to make a
contribution on your behalf each week.
How much income tax will I pay?
Income tax is calculated when your pay rises above a minimum level (known as the tax threshold) set by
Government. Once your earnings have reached this level, tax due is deducted from your wages on a
weekly basis via the PAYE system.
Under this system, your employer should deduct the amount due and pay it to the Inland Revenue and, in
so doing, ensures that your tax is always fully paid up. However, there are occasions when adjustments
need to be made, for example, if you have been off work without pay for some weeks.
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How many hours should I work each week?
In most circumstances, the normal working week will be 37.5 hours worked as five consecutive days
from Monday to Friday.
This 37.5 hours divided by the 5 working days equates to a working day of 7.5 hours that must be
worked between the hours of 7.00am and 7.00pm. There is then a total maximum time of one hour
allowed in any one day for all meal breaks, including washing time, but this may be less at the
employer’s discretion.
Furthermore, from 6th April 2003 the Young Worker’s Directive came into effect meaning that those who
are between minimum school leaving age and their 18th birthday will not normally be allowed to work
more than 40 hours per week or more than 8 hours in one day, or between the hours of 10pm and
6am (or 11pm and 7am if stated in the contract).
All employers use a form known as a time sheet to record the hours worked on each project. Although
the layout of these forms differs between employers, please make sure that you record the hours that you
work clearly and accurately on your time sheets as your wages will be based upon this information.
Can I work overtime?
You may be occasionally requested to work overtime. When this happens, you should be paid in
accordance with your employer’s policy.
What happens if I become sick?
If you become ill or suffer an injury and are unable to work, you must let your employer and local JTL
representative know immediately and this must be done as soon as possible on the first day of any
absence.
If you are unable to ring your employer then get your parents, a relative or a friend to do it for you.
Any payment for sickness will be subject to your employer’s policy.
What holidays am I entitled to?
During each holiday year, you are entitled to annual holiday with pay, which is determined by your
contract of employment/company policy.
Where can I get some sensible and impartial advice?
All JTL apprentices will have a JTL representative assigned to look after them throughout their
apprenticeship. Please talk to them, that’s what they are there for. If you feel awkward talking to them
directly, do so using the telephone or call the JTL Freephone help line on 0800 0852308.
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How to contact JTL
JTL Head Office:
Stafford House, 120 -122 High Street,
Orpington, Kent BR6 0JS
Tel: 01689 884100
Fax: 01689 891658
Email: headoffice@jtltraining.com
Website: www.jtltraining.com
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