It's easy to demonstrate how important the role of Domestic Heating Fitter is. Nearly every home in the UK has some form of central heating system which, together with our need for hot water, accounts for about a third of the country's total energy consumption. Domestic Heating Fitters install, maintain and repair hot water and heating systems in people¹s homes and in small- to medium-sized businesses.

Though these can be brand new systems involving the latest technology, a fitter¹s knowledge and skills are usually more challenged when upgrading existing systems in older premises. Domestic Heating Fitters are experts, designing and installing the ideal heating system, selecting the right boiler, advising on the right controls and sizing the radiators and associated pipework to ensure the right amount of heat is given out across the installation.

They may also provide hot and cold water services, and are also trained in the specialist fields of gas and oil installations. It is a skilled and well-paid job, with considerable variety. Job satisfaction is high, too. Domestic Heating Fitters make people's lives better, helping homeowners reduce energy consumption and cut down their fuel bills, and also they are the ones who save the day when things go wrong.

Working Conditions
Most domestic firms are small and friendly but much of your time will be spent in people's homes or businesses. The work is varied and there is plenty of opportunity to use your own initiative. A normal working week is 38 hours although at times you may be asked to work overtime or out of normal working hours so as not to disrupt people within the building. Wage rates, sick pay, holidays and entitlement are all paid in accordance with the National Agreement and Trade Union guidelines to ensure equality across the industry

Training
To become a fully trained, competent and safe domestic heating fitter takes around four years and consist of a combination of college courses supported by practical experience with an employer. For the first two years you will attend college on either a day-release or block-release programme (depending on which college you attend) to study an S/NVQ Level 2 in Mechanical Engineering Services: Heating & Ventilating Domestic Installation.

During this time you will be asked to keep a personal log which records all your activities, work experience and work-based assessments. In your third and fourth years, you will continue to study this subject to an S/NVQ Level 3 On completion of your four years of training, you will have a recognised industry grading as a skilled operative / craftsman who is also eligible for an industry-recognised Building Engineering Services Skillcard

Entry Qualifications
General skills:

• You will need to be someone who is practical and enjoys working with their hands
• A logical and methodical approach to tasks would be an advantage as you will be required to understand and follow a high level of instruction and diagrams

Specific qualifications:

• 4 GCSEs or SCE standard grades in English, Maths, Science and a Technical subject. You may also be asked to sit further English and Maths assessments at interview stage
• General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) or the Scottish equivalent (GSVQs) in Construction and the Built Environment or Engineering
• Your National Record of Achievement and/or Record of Education & Training will also be considered

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