Building Service Engineering (Foundation Apprenticeship)

Foundation apprenticeships are employed positions and are for younger people who will benefit from a wide range of experiences (aged 16-21 years of age.) Each foundation apprenticeship provides a mix of employability skills and behaviours, technical knowledge and skills, and associated English and maths. It combines valuable hands-on practice in the workplace with off-the-job learning. The apprentice’s experiences will not only help them to grow their skills but will also help to inform their next career steps.

Building Service Engineer (BSE) relates to low carbon heating, refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump engineering and plumbing. Building service engineering work is found in domestic, industrial and commercial buildings, for example office blocks, factories, schools, and hospitals.

Building service engineering makes buildings work. It is a specialist part of engineering within the construction sector. Service and maintenance engineers play a key role in planning and completing a range of maintenance work. They monitor and manage the operation of plant and equipment through building and energy management systems.

The broad purpose is to plan and complete a variety of maintenance activities involving industrial and commercial building service engineering systems.

Applicants must be willing to attempt Functional Skills level 2 as part of this apprenticeship but no entry requirements are stipulated.

Employers may set additional entry requirements, so please bear this in mind.

Hands-on Training & College Learning

Apprentices are employed within building services engineering environments while attending college for technical training. They develop practical and theoretical skills in:

• Building services systems and components
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) principles
• Electrical building services and power distribution
• Plumbing and pipework systems
• Sustainability, energy efficiency and environmental technologies

For a comprehensive understanding of this programme and what it entails, please click here.

Progression routes include specialising in a chosen trade at Level 2 or Level 3.

Training is delivered at our London Road Campus on a varied delivery, based on employer requirements. This will be a day release delivery, identified prior to the start date. Apprentices are also visited regularly in the workplace by an assessor who reviews progress, observes practical skills and supports development.

Towards the end of the programme, apprentices complete an Apprenticeship Assessment/End Point Assessment (EPA), which typically includes:

• A practical skills test
• A professional discussion
• A knowledge assessment
• A review of workplace evidence

This ensures apprentices demonstrate the full range of skills, knowledge and behaviours required for the role.

This apprenticeship typically takes 8 months to complete, depending on prior experience and employer requirements.

To be an apprentice, you will need an employer who can offer you a specific role relevant to this apprenticeship and release you for your training. Once you have an employer in place, you can apply online. If after reading this fact sheet, you are still undecided about the course most suitable for you, please drop into one of our advice events, ring the Apprenticeship Team on 01743 653444 or email apprenticeships@shrewsbury.ac.uk