We are extremely proud to celebrate an important milestone in the careers of two members of our team, Travis Potter and Owen Sharman, who have successfully completed their Level 2 qualifications in Heating and Ventilating through Choice Training.
Their achievements were recognised during a presentation at Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club. Both received recognition for completing a demanding programme combining technical learning, practical assessment and evidence of work undertaken in a genuine industrial and commercial environment.
The occasion became even more significant when Travis received additional recognition for producing the Best Portfolio.
His portfolio was described during the presentation as “brilliant” and “outstanding”, with particular praise given to the standard of its content, the quality and relevance of the photographs, and the way the evidence had been organised and presented.
This was not simply an award for producing a smart-looking folder. A workplace portfolio is a substantial part of demonstrating occupational competence. It must provide clear evidence that the apprentice has carried out relevant heating and ventilation work correctly, safely and to the required industry standard.
Travis’s Best Portfolio recognition therefore reflects the standard of both his practical work and the way he documented and explained it.
To have that work described as “brilliant” and “outstanding” is a considerable achievement. It shows the care, effort and attention to detail that he applied throughout the programme.
What Travis and Owen Have Achieved
The current Level 2 programme delivered by Choice Training is the City & Guilds Level 2 Heating and Ventilating Installer Qualification for Industrial and Commercial work.
City & Guilds is the awarding organisation responsible for setting and quality-assuring the qualification. Choice Training provides the teaching, practical training, assessment support and workplace evidence process.
The programme has an typical total qualification time of 914 hours, including 768 guided learning hours. It is designed to give learners the practical skills and technical knowledge needed to work on specialised heating and ventilation installations in industrial and commercial buildings.
The qualification covers ten mandatory areas:
Health and safety within building services
Scientific principles used in heating and ventilation systems
Communication with colleagues, clients and other trades
Industrial and commercial hot-water systems
Industrial and commercial cold-water systems
Hot-water heating systems
Chilled-water systems
Preparation and fabrication of heating and ventilation pipework
Installation of industrial and commercial heating and ventilation systems in the workplace
Testing, charging and decommissioning pipework systems
Completing the programme requires more than attending lessons. Candidates must pass online knowledge examinations, complete practical assignments and produce a portfolio demonstrating their work on real industrial and commercial installations.
The assessment process includes closed-book examinations covering health and safety and the scientific principles behind heating and ventilation. Candidates must also complete a wider systems examination covering hot water, cold water, heating, chilled water, testing and decommissioning.
Practical competence is assessed through assignments involving communication, pipework preparation and fabrication. Workplace evidence must then demonstrate that the candidate can install heating and ventilation systems safely and correctly under working conditions.
This combination of technical knowledge, practical ability and authenticated workplace evidence is what makes the achievement significant.
Learning in the workplace
Travis and Owen have been part of our team for over three years. During that time, they have gained practical experience across different areas of the business, including the installation and maintenance of many of the services we offer.
This workplace experience is essential. College-based learning provides the technical principles, but apprentices also need opportunities to apply those principles on real projects, alongside experienced tradespeople and within the safety and quality requirements of an operational site.
Their Level 2 success confirms how far they have progressed from learning individual tasks to demonstrating a broader understanding of the systems on which they work.
Progressing to Level 3
Travis and Owen will now progress to Level 3, where they will work towards becoming Heating and Ventilating Craftspersons.
This represents a substantial step forward. At Level 2, an installer develops the knowledge and ability to complete allocated installation and testing tasks under close, although not constant, supervision. Level 3 develops the broader competence needed to work proficiently with greater independence and responsibility.
The current City & Guilds Level 3 Heating and Ventilating Craftsperson Qualification covers the installation, testing, pre-commissioning, commissioning and decommissioning of complex, large-scale engineering systems.
These systems are found in buildings such as offices, factories, schools and hospitals, where temperature-controlled water is circulated to provide heating and cooling.
The national Building Services Engineering Craftsperson apprenticeship standard is set at Level 3 and has a typical duration of 36 months, although the actual programme followed by Travis and Owen will depend on their agreed training arrangements and any previous learning that can be recognised.
Investing in the Future of our Industry
Heating and ventilation systems are fundamental to the safe and effective operation of commercial and industrial buildings. Developing competent people to install, test and maintain those systems requires proper training, structured workplace experience and support from experienced colleagues hence Chris traveling down to recognise the achievement of both of the lads that we are so proud of.
Apprenticeships allow technical knowledge and practical experience to develop together. They also give employers an active role in maintaining standards and developing the skills the industry will need in the future.
For our company, supporting Travis and Owen is not simply about helping them obtain certificates. It is about giving them the experience, responsibility and technical foundation needed to build long-term careers in building services engineering.
Both have worked hard to reach this stage, and their successful completion of Level 2 deserves recognition.
The whole company is proud of you both. We look forward to supporting you as you progress through Level 3 and continue developing into accomplished heating and ventilating craftspeople.