Heating and ventilation engineer

You can take a college course to learn some of the skills needed to get a trainee engineer job.

Courses include:

• plumbing and heating
• building services engineering
• T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You can get into this job by applying to do an apprenticeship. Examples include:

• Building Services Engineering Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
• Building Services Engineering Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Building Services Engineering Craftsperson Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• are in care or have been in care
• are in prison or have been in prison

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You may be able to apply directly for jobs if you have qualifications and experience in building services engineering or plumbing.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You can join the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering for professional development training and industry news.

Further Information

You can get more advice about careers in heating and ventilation engineering from:

• Go Construct
• Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
• Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering

As a heating and ventilation engineer, you'll:

• follow design blueprints to fit heating equipment and pipework
• install ductwork and ventilation systems
• design and install control panels that adjust heating systems
• find and fix faults
• plan and carry out regular maintenance and repairs

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a heating and ventilation engineer to be a green job, you could:

• use natural airflow in buildings to reduce reliance on mechanical ventilation systems
• install heating systems powered by renewable energy sources
• fit automated wireless controls that regulate temperature and humidity more efficiently

Find out more about green careers

You could work at a client's business.

Your working environment may be at height, cramped and you'll travel often.