AO collective statement: Plumbing & Heating (P&H) new apprenticeship standards

The newly proposed Level 2 and Level 3 CIPHE-led apprenticeship standards have been challenged by other industry stakeholders. In response, Skills England through the Apprenticeship Reforms, has established an occupational taskforce to review and stress test this and seven other planned apprenticeship standards ahead of publication.

Skills England has now confirmed that both proposed standards are under review. At this stage, there is no confirmed timescale for when they will become stable enough to proceed with development.

As a result, the Awarding Organisations’ collective, working in partnership with CIPHE, has taken the decision to temporarily pause all development linked to these new standards. Development work will resume once Skills England and CIPHE confirm that the standards and assessment plans are stable and ready for publication. 

What does this mean for you?

• It is now unlikely that the new apprenticeship standards will be approved in time for delivery by providers for the September 2026 intake.
• Providers may need to continue delivering against the current apprenticeship standard (ST0303) and mandated qualification in the meantime.
• The existing ST0303 Level 3 Plumbing and Heating Technician apprenticeship will remain open for delivery and new starts until the new Level 2 and Level 3 standards are approved for delivery.

It should be noted that a new Level 2 apprenticeship standard in this sector cannot be approved ahead of the new Level 3 standard. As part of the approval process, both standards were required to be submitted together as a single package. 

Next steps

The Awarding Organisations’ collective will continue to work closely with CIPHE, BESA, APHC, the Plumbing Employers’ Trailblazer Group and Skills England to support progress and minimise any further delays to the publication of the new standards and assessment plans.

As your awarding organisation, we are committed to keeping you fully informed. We will share revised delivery timelines and further updates as soon as they are available. In the meantime, don't hesitate to contact us with your views and feedback. 

You can also provide feedback directly to CIPHE via [email protected] and they will review your feedback and pass it on to Skills England.