Heating and ventilation engineer Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

From the air grilles on a classroom wall, to the large networks of pipes that criss-cross factory ceilings - heating and ventilating systems often go unnoticed but they play a vital part in every building. Whether it’s a shop, office, sports arena or concert hall, they ensure we have fresh air and warmth when we’re indoors. People working in the heating and ventilating (H&V) industry install and manage these systems.

Working in this industry also means you’ll be installing systems to help customers reduce their carbon consumption and make buildings as energy efficient as possible, without wasting valuable fossil fuels. H&V engineers work with new and renewable heating systems like ground source heat pumps, which extract heat from the ground and pump it into a building, or air source heat pumps, that take the warmth from the outside air and pipe it indoors.

There are a variety of roles in the H&V industry to suit all interests:

• Heating installers install heating equipment and pipework systems in large buildings like office blocks, hospitals and schools
• Ductwork installers install ductwork and ventilation systems in large buildings like sports stadia, airport terminals and shopping centres
• Domestic heating installers install central heating systems in homes and ensure they work properly
• Service and maintenance engineers plan and carry out regular maintenance and repairs on all H&V systems to make sure they are always effective and efficient
• Commissioning engineers ensure the systems meet their original design specification by testing and checking carefully that they do what the customer needs them to
• Control engineers design and install controls that operate and adjust the H&V systems so they continually work in the way they should.

Hours

You’ll probably be working around a 40-hour week, but if you have a particular project deadline you might sometimes have to work additional hours, for instance evenings and weekends, to get the job finished on time.

Depending on what type of work you specialise in, you could be working in all types of buildings like offices, shopping centres and schools. You might be also have to work on a construction site, which can be noisy, dusty and cold. Sometimes you may need to work in cramped and uncomfortable conditions in order to access the H&V equipment and you’ll be working off the ground using equipment such as scaffolding.

Working in this industry usually means you’re based locally, travelling from one project to the next. But some companies work across the whole country for their customers, so if you work for one of these firms you might be asked to stay overnight for short or long periods if a project is far from home.

Income

Your salary will vary depending on your employer and where you live in the UK, but as a guide you might expect:

• The starting salary as an apprentice may be around £9,100 to £11,250 a year
• A newly-qualified installer may earn up to £20,000 a year
• Experienced engineers may earn around £22,000 to £24,000 a year.

Some employers pay more, and you might get bonuses and overtime pay. There are national set rates that will cover your travelling time, travel expenses and accommodation costs.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

Depending on which level you’re going to work at, you’ll need an NVQ Diploma Level 2 or 3, or in Scotland both the Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) Levels 2 and 3. There’s also other training on top of the NVQ Diploma/SVQ that you’ll have to complete in order to become fully qualified.

Most people start as an apprentice straight from school and college and train on the job. Apprenticeships give you the underpinning knowledge and skills you need to work effectively and professionally.

You’ll do both off-the-job training, where you learn at a college or training centre, and on-the-job training, where you apply your skills and knowledge while working on-site for your employer. Generally training will take between two and four years to complete, depending on the apprenticeship scheme.

If you’re not able to do an apprenticeship straight away, there are programmes around the UK that can help you to progress to an apprenticeship, further learning or a job. Speak to your local careers adviser to find out more.

Some apprenticeship schemes across the UK are open to people over 25, although the number of places might be limited. Local colleges may have their own training schemes aimed at adults.

If you’re over 25 you can still undertake the NVQDiploma /SVQ without doing an apprenticeship. To gain an NVQ/SVQ, you must be in employment or have the ability to be assessed on site, carrying out real work. Similar to an apprenticeship scheme, you should be prepared to gain the qualification over a number of years, not weeks or months. There is no quick fix to gaining the right qualifications and it will take around four years to complete.

Vacancies for qualified workers are usually advertised in local newspapers, job centres, and on websites such as Monster or Workthing.

You may need a driving licence if your job involves visiting clients.

You can find more information about careers in heating and ventilation fitting on the SummitSkills website.

• SummitSkills

Training and development

Your employer would usually give you on-the-job training. You could work towards relevant NVQ Diplomas/SVQs, with options covering domestic installation, industrial and commercial work, ductwork and welding.

You may also take further training in fire safety, first aid, ACS assessment for gas systems and appliances, and safe handling of refrigerants.

If you work on oil-fired equipment like heaters and cookers, you may find it useful to follow the Oil Firing Technical Association for the Petroleum Industry's (OFTEC) training and accreditation scheme. Contact OFTEC for more information.

• OFTEC

Part L of the Building Regulations - Energy Efficiency

Part L states that technicians fitting new boilers must hold the City & Guilds Certificate in Energy Efficiency for Domestic Heating (6084). This shows that you are qualified to carry out the work in line with Part L requirements. See the SummitSkills website for more details.

Environmental Technologies

The government has recently set targets for greater energy efficiency in a bid to combat climate change. With further training, you may be able to install and maintain renewable energy technologies such as solar powered heating systems. To find out more about this growing area of work, see the Environmental Technologies section of the SummitSkills or the National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies websites.

• SummitSkills
• National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies

You could continue your professional development by taking a foundation degree, HNC, HND or degree in Building Services Engineering. You can search for full time courses on the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS) website or contact individual universities or colleges for information about part time courses.

Skills and knowledge

Whether you’re male or female, the heating and ventilating industry needs people that:

• have good practical and hand skills
• can follow technical drawings, building plans and other instructions
• can work carefully, methodically and safely
• can measure accurately
• have a head for heights and are prepared to work in all sorts of weather
• are willing to work in confined spaces
• are presentable with a pleasant manner
• have good written and verbal communication skills
• are good team players but also able to work on their own initiative
• can adapt to change
• have good problem-solving skills.

More information

SummitSkills
Tel: 08000 688336
www.summitskills.org.uk

Oil Firing Technical Association for the Petroleum Industry (OFTEC)
Foxwood House
Dobbs Lane
Kesgrave
Ipswich
IP5 2QQ
Tel: 0845 658 5080
www.oftec.co.uk

Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association
Head office
Esca House
34 Palace Court
London
W2 4JG
http://www.hvca.org.uk

Gas Safe Register
Tel: 0800 408 5500
www.gassaferegister.co.uk

HETAS
Orchard Business Centre
Stoke Orchard
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 7RZ
Telephone: 0845 634 5626
Fax: 01242 673502
Email: info@hetas.co.uk
http://www.hetas.co.uk

Opportunities

Most large employers have a formal progression structure. If you work for one of these companies you may have the chance to take on more important projects and managerial responsibilities as you progress and gain experience.

Once you are qualification to NVQ Diploma/SVQ Level 3 you could progress to higher qualifications like NVQ Diploma/SVQ Level 4 or even a degree, which may lead to job opportunities as technician or managerial level. If you want to do a degree course may universities will accept a relevant entry qualification, or take your work experience into account instead of traditional entry qualifications.

Once you are fully qualified there are also opportunities for you to work abroad, particularly in countries like the USA, the Far East and Australia.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)

• Engineering Jobs Network
• Directgov (Jobseekers page)
• Heating and Ventilating Contractors Association (list of companies)
• SummitSkills (Environmental Technologies information)

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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