JourneyApprenticeshipsEngineering construction pipefitter

Engineering construction pipefitter

Level 3 · AdvancedConstruction and the built environment 3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship

What it involves

Engineering construction pipefitters fabricate, assemble, and install process pipework systems that carry gases, liquids, and steam in industrial plants such as oil refineries, power stations, chemical plants, and food processing facilities. You will work from isometric drawings to cut, bend, weld-prepare, and fit pipes to exact specifications, ensuring systems are leak-free and comply with pressure system regulations. It is a core trade in the engineering construction sector with progression to supervision and pipework engineering.

On the job

What you’ll learn

Engineering drawing: interpreting pipework isometrics and general arrangement drawings
Pipe materials: carbon steel, stainless steel, copper, and plastics
Cutting, bending, threading, and flanging pipework using specialist tools
Jointing methods: welded, flanged, screwed, and compression fittings
Pipe supports, hangers, and expansion allowances
Pressure testing of completed pipe systems: pneumatic and hydrostatic methods
Health, safety, and COSHH regulations on industrial construction sites
On the job

What you’ll do day to day

Read isometric drawings and mark out pipework to be cut and fabricated
Cut, bevel, and prepare pipe ends for welding or other jointing methods
Fit and align pipe spools and connect them to valves, flanges, and equipment
Install pipe supports and hangers to drawings and specifications
Carry out hydrostatic or pneumatic pressure tests on completed systems
Identify and rectify leaks or misalignments found during testing
Complete installation records, test certificates, and as-built documentation
The deal

How this apprenticeship works

You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there

What you need to start

Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.

Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.

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What it’s really like

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