Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) - level 3 apprenticeship framework
This framework sets out the standards and criteria you must meet to complete the apprenticeship programme and receive your apprenticeship certificate for level 3 heating and ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR). This is the only level 3 training in this skill acceptable for apprenticeshipsni funding.
About the HVACR framework
This framework sets out the standards and the criteria for the delivery of a level 3 apprenticeship framework to achieve qualified status within the HVACR industry. Successful completion of the framework will lead to the award of a level 3 qualification showing recognition as a qualified person within the industry.
Mandatory outcomes
Achievement of a level 3 apprenticeship in HVACR will be assessed by verification through the appropriate awarding body.
You must complete a combination of both a competence and a knowledge-based qualification from one of the pathways, along with the essential skills below.
Mandatory essential skills
To successfully complete the apprenticeship, apprentices must achieve the following essential skills qualification or already hold a recognised equivalent:
- information and communication technology (ICT) at level 2
The essential skills are mandatory and are to be completed as part of the apprenticeship.
However, any qualifications you already have are assessed against the framework requirements and may result in an exemption from the above.
Competency and knowledge qualifications – pathway options
Apprentices need to complete both a competency-based and a knowledge-based qualification in their chosen pathway, from the list below.
Pathway one: heating and ventilation (installation)
Competence-based qualification:
Knowledge-based qualification:
- City & guilds level 3 award in the fundamental principles and requirements of environmental technology systems (600/4282/5)
- EAL level 3 award in the fundamental principles and requirements of environmental technology systems (600/0665/1)
Pathway two: air conditioning
Competence-based qualification:
Knowledge-based qualification:
- City & guilds level 3 award in the fundamental principles and requirements of environmental technology systems (600/4282/5)
- EAL level 3 award in the fundamental principles and requirements of environmental technology systems (600/0665/1)
Pathway three: refrigeration
Competence-based qualification:
Knowledge-based qualification:
- City & guilds level 3 award in the fundamental principles and requirements of environmental technology systems (600/4282/5)
- EAL level 3 award in the fundamental principles and requirements of environmental technology systems (600/0665/1)
Eligibility and entry to the programme
You must be employed and have achieved a minimum of grade C in both GCSE maths and English or their equivalent,to take part in this level 3 apprenticeship.
Your employer may also have specific expectations in terms of qualifications and/ or medical/ physical requirements.
Entry to the level 3 apprenticeship is by progression from the apprenticeshipsni level 2 framework in HVACR.
You may also enter the level 3 apprenticeship, subject to assessment by the training contractor and employer, if you if you have achieved GCSE grade C or equivalent in English and maths and:
- have already gained significant work experience in your occupational area, which could be considered as meeting the requirements of the relevant level 2 framework and can show the capacity to achieve a level 3 standard
or:
- have previously achieved a relevant level 2 recognised vocational qualification that is a mandatory requirement of the Level 2 apprenticeshipsni HVACR framework
See DfE apprenticeship guidelines and operational requirements.
Duration
The length of the apprenticeship can vary and will be agreed between the apprentice, training contractor and employer.
Assessment
The quality assurance aspect of assessment is the responsibility of the awarding organisation. For this apprenticeship the awarding organisations are City & Guilds and EAL.
In general, evidence of competence must come from the workplace or a realistic working environment and may be gathered into a single portfolio in hard or soft copy. This portfolio will then be assessed by a qualified assessor and then subject to the QA systems of the awarding organisation.
Evidence of knowledge may be identified during the practical assignments and/ or through formal assessment via online, on-demand testing using multiple-choice questions (e-assessment).
Enhancements
You may have to satisfy the requirements of the construction skills register (CSR) course (one day) in health and safety or equivalent card scheme in order to get onto specific work sites.
You may, on successful completion of all framework components, have generated sufficient work-based evidence to support an application for Eng Tech status with the engineering council.
Related knowledge
All pathways must include mandatory induction. Employee rights and responsibilities (ERR) must be covered and confirmation of completing ERR must be included with the request for the apprenticeship certificate.
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the training contractor/college to ensure that all components of this framework are delivered in accordance with apprenticeshipsni operational requirements.
The apprentice must be employed from day one.
Further information
The content of this framework (Framework Number 312 Issue 7: 08/20) has been developed between the Department for the Economy and the Built Environment Sectoral Partnership (working with BESA). For further information, contact: