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Heat network technicians are responsible for the operation, planned maintenance and reactive repair of all equipment relevant to the district heat network. This will involve attending customer properties - both residential and commercial, as well as distribution substations and energy centres, generating heat and often electricity.
This occupation is found in the engineering sector and is core to the operation and maintenance of district heat networks. A district heat network is a system which generates and supplies low carbon heat, generated in a centralised location, through a system of insulated pipes to residential and commercial heat customers.
Technicians will be responsible for the operation, planned maintenance and reactive repair of all equipment relevant to the network. This will involve attending customer properties - both residential and commercial, as well as distribution substations and energy centres, generating heat and often electricity. The role can involve working under pressure and to tight time constraints, such as when responding to energy outages where hundreds of people may be temporarily without heat supply. Technicians may also be required to support project improvement and specialist works, for example, acting as the company representative on the ground, controlling and supporting subcontractors.
Technicians will typically specialise in one of two roles with different technologies specific to each:
Residential systems specialist - working in customers' homes to service, maintain and attend breakdowns of the customer heat interface unit, which provides the end customer with their heating and hot water supply.
Distribution systems specialist – working in distribution substations and energy centres to service, maintain and attend breakdowns of the distribution plant responsible for pumping hot water around the network. Typical equipment would include pumps, strainers, heat exchangers, expansion vessels, pressurisation units and control valves.
Technicians interacts with a wide variety of people. Externally, this includes customers living in their homes and professionals in the commercial spaces supplied with low carbon heat from the network. Local management and concierge teams will also often be present on the various sites, requiring regular communication of major works being undertaken. When in contact with customers district heat technicians represent their company and company values at all times. Internally, they work with, and have support from, fellow technicians in their own and the wider teams within the company. Day to day, when out on site, they often work alone.
Technicians are responsible for completing all operation and maintenance tasks to a high standard, whether planned, corrective or reactive. An accurate, clear and concise record of all works will be required. Technicians typically report directly to a site manager, operations manager or maintenance manager. They are often required to be fully mobile with a vehicle provided by the company.
Plant maintenance engineer
Residential engineer
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 36 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
Multiple-choice test
You will complete a multiple-choice test. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials.
In the test you can have:
The test will have 40 multiple-choice questions. You will have 80 minutes to complete it.
Practical assessment with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing a set of tasks. It will last 6 hours. They will ask you at least 3 questions.
Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have an interview with an independent assessor. It will last at least 75 minutes. They will ask you at least 6 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
This apprenticeship aligns with Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for Engineering Technician (EngTech)
Please contact the professional body for more details.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 17/10/2024 | Not set |
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