Heating & Ventilating Fitters should not be confused with those who install things in people's homes. H&V Fitters are the experts on large-scale industrial installations and boilers. Fitters get involved in fitting piped systems serving chilled water to air-conditioning systems or large-scale central heating systems – even pipes transporting natural gas. This is big stuff. They fit kilometers of pipework not metres!

This takes considerable expertise as there are several methods available for cutting, bending and joining pipes, and it is vital that all the joints don't leak and are able to withstand high pressures. This is where welding skills are an important aspect of the work and specialist training is provided to ensure high levels of workmanship are carried out.

All systems have to be tested once they are installed. H&V Fitters need to understand the technology behind the different types of materials and to know the limitations of various kinds of pipework. Every job is different, and there's a real satisfaction from building something big, from scratch, that works. A fitter usually sees the job through from start to finish, from when it's a cold empty building right through to the completed warm-and-toasty commercial environment! There are good opportunities to progress to more senior positions, such as foreman or supervisor

Working Conditions

The working environment can be challenging. Although most of your work will be indoors, it won't always be warm – because making it so is the job you're there to do! – and sometimes you may be working exposed to the weather conditions on a half-finished site. Pipework is usually designed to be installed out of the way which can also mean working below ground or in cramped spaces.

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 H&V Fitter / Welder takes around four years and consists 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 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 a S/NVQ Level 3 which includes studying Oxy-Acetylene and Metal Arc-welding. 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 be a person who is practical and enjoys working with their hands.
• Being able to take a logical and methodical approach to tasks would be an advantage as you will be required to understand and follow high level of instruction and diagrams
• A head for heights would be beneficial, as you may be required to work from scaffolding
• A good level of overall physical fitness is essential, as this is a physically demanding job

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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