apprenticeship providers

Becoming a Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician apprentice: A Guide to a Rewarding Career

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f you’ve ever wondered about a career that’s hands-on, in-demand, and offers the chance to work both indoors and outdoors, then becoming a Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician might be the path for you. In this blog post, we’ll explore the details of this career path, the core knowledge and skills required, specialisation options, and the behaviours that make you successful in this field.

What is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are a system for training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study. It’s a new way of learning which many students should consider if they feel that university is not for them.

Who Are Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technicians?

Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technicians are the experts behind the scenes who plan, select, install, service, commission, and maintain all aspects of plumbing and heating systems. Whether you’re in a residential home or on a construction site, these professionals play a crucial role in ensuring that water flows, heat is generated, and everything runs smoothly.

Here’s a glimpse of their job profile:

1. Versatility: These technicians work both indoors and outdoors, making them adaptable to different work environments.

2. Customer Service: Excellent customer service skills are vital as they often work in customers’ homes, requiring them to be tidy and respectful.

3. Environmental Technology: They are at the forefront of installing eco-friendly technologies like heat pumps, solar thermal systems, biomass boilers, and water recycling systems.

4. Independence: Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technicians can work independently or in teams, using their knowledge to select and install systems efficiently and safely.

Now, let’s dive into the core knowledge and skills required for this profession:

Core Knowledge and Skills Requirements:

1. Health and Safety: Understand health and safety legislation, codes of practice, and safe working practices to ensure a secure work environment.

2. Core Plumbing Systems: Be proficient in selecting, planning, installing, testing, commissioning, and maintaining cold water, hot water, central heating, above-ground drainage, and rainwater systems.

3. Electrical Components and Control Systems: Learn installation and testing techniques for electrical components and control systems in plumbing and domestic heating systems.

4. Plumbing Science and Processes: Understand the scientific principles behind plumbing, domestic heating, and mechanical systems.

5. Principles of Environmental Technology Systems: Grasp the principles of eco-friendly mechanical environmental technology systems.

6. Principles of Fossil Fuels: Comprehend the principles of fuel combustion, ventilation, and flying arrangements within a domestic environment.

7. Customer Service: Learn how to provide high-quality customer service, respecting the working environment and the needs of customers and colleagues.

8. Communication: Understand different communication methods, adapt your communication style to various situations, and communicate clearly and appropriately.

Skills:

1. Safe Working: Operate in a safe manner, adhering to health and safety legislation and codes of practice.

2. Core Plumbing System Techniques: Apply selection, planning, installation, testing, commissioning, maintenance, fault diagnosis, and repair techniques to plumbing and heating systems.

3. Electrical Components and Control Systems Techniques: Apply installation and testing techniques for electrical components and control systems.

4. Supervisory Skills: Take responsibility for your work, oversee and organise work, and manage resources efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner.

Apprentice wage

In this particular apprenticeship program, the salary range spans from £20,000 to £21,000.

How do I get started? 

We trust that this post has provided you with valuable insights as you embark on your journey to become an apprentice. For additional guidance on crafting your CV, acing interviews, and more, explore apprenticetips.com. Be sure to visit our apprenticeship page as well to explore a wide range of job opportunities!

Skills A Digital Marketer Needs

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Digital Marketing

The primary role of a digital marketer is to define, design build and implement digital campaigns across a number of different platforms, in hopes to create maximum noise for your business or organisation. What makes the ideal digital marketer? Well, we have collected the key skills required to create the best possible candidate for this role.

The skills required to become an innovating Digital Marketer

  • Logical and creative thinking skills
  • Analytical and Problem Solving Skills
  • Ability to work independently and to take responsibility
  • Ability to communication in various situations

1. Logical & Creative Thinking Skills

One of the more predominant skills to have as a digital marketing guru. Having the ability to breakdown analytical data and understanding the figures such as an email marketing campaign on Mailchimp. A digital marketer must suggest reasons a campaign may have succeeded/underperformed by using an open-minded approach and suggesting things which have not been mentioned before. This will allow you to stand out within your role. The ability to solve-problems with a well organised plan of action will deliver the best results in regards to your marketing campaigns.

2. Analytical & Problem Solving Skills

A digital marketer will work closely to Google analytics. Set tasks such as site performance, traffic and organic growth reports can be viewed within google analytics. Depending on the data on display, it is the marketers duty to evaluate this data. If any problems were to come forward, this would mean that the digital marketer would take this into their own hand, being able to solve the problem using initiative.

3. Ability to work independently & take responsibility

The marketing department is always going to change and this is because of external factors such as trends. It is a digital marketers duty to pay close attention to these trends and find ways to implement these into their own work. This is a huge liability but, a responsibility which displays leadership, initiative and awareness. This will definitely impress your marketing manager!

4. Ability to communicate in various situations

Communication is a key skill in which we all know the predominance of however, being able to master communication in various situations is a skill in itself. Some days it is all sunshine and rainbows but, other days may not be as electrifying within the marketing department. Work load maybe getting the better of you and you may feel glued to your seat for hours. Maybe a hostile bug has crashed your site or a hacker has crashed your Instagram page. In a situation like this, it is vital to remain composed.

An Overview

With the right skills in place, digital marketing can be made easy for all!

These key skills will be further sharpened and developed over time during your digital marketing course so do not feel overwhelmed and remember that patience is key and the key is needed for success and success cannot be rushed therefore you must be patient.

Any questions or quires which you may have regarding digital marketing apprenticeships, feel free to head over to our LinkedIn or Twitter page and join the discussion, by giving us a message or you can simply view our blog relating to digital marketing. We hope to hear from you soon!

Wireless Communications Rigger Apprenticeship (Level 2)

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The wireless communications rigger is a key member of the field-based wireless rigging team that supports the UK's cellular network and its infrastructure.
The wireless communications rigger is a key member of the field-based wireless rigging team that supports the UK’s cellular network and its infrastructure.

Does the idea of being a key member of the UK’s cellular network and infrastructure sound good to you? If so, read on to find out how the level 2 wireless rigger communications apprenticeship could help you start a new career. Already in a job? No worries! You could change roles within your current organisation and complete the apprenticeship training.

What is a Wireless Communications Rigger?

A Wireless Communications Rigger can install large steel structures on towers and rooftops, adapting the existing structure in the process if needed. They facilitate the lifting and lowering of equipment for installation and removal, install a range of cable types and sizes including Coaxial, CAT5/6 and Fibre Optic, interpret drawings and plans. They also demonstrate a range of climbing techniques, meaning they can even rescue colleagues in difficulty at height.

Where will I work and who with?

Wireless communications riggers work in a variety of environments including rooftop sites, towers and masts in greenfield sites or inner-city buildings. They must be able to work indoors or outdoors, and in a variety of weather conditions.

Wireless communications riggers will generally work in a team of 2 to 3 and will report to a team leader. They will also be required to communicate effectively with site providers, landlords and members of the public.

Jobs and entry criteria for the level 2 Wireless Communications Rigger apprenticeship

The wireless communications apprenticeship provides opportunities for an apprentice to learn the skills required to perform typical rigger roles. These include jobs such as: Wireless Communications Rigger, Rigging Engineer, Telecomms Rigger. A salary of £30,783 is achievable and many other job opportunities are advertised in this range. Use this level 2 wireless communications apprenticeship as a starting point and future proof your career!

Level 2 Wireless Communications Rigger Core Competencies

As part of your job role, you will carry out duties that will satisfy a number of competencies. Some examples are:

  • Antenna installation
  • Carry out installation of earthing and termination of coax and fibre following manufacturers and operators’ installation specifications
  • Installation and demonstrate the technical understanding of the key components of a wireless telecom site
  • Use slings, knots and other attachment techniques to safely lift and lower materials and equipment
  • Personal site safety responsibilities, hazards, risks and control measures
  • Structure integrity and the importance of permanent attachment whilst working at height
  • The importance of effective communication
  • The need for positive working relationships

Entry Requirements

If this is all sounding like the perfect dream, I assure you now it is very real! The entry requirements are usually set by employers and may require a demonstration of fitness and a ability to work at height. Apprentices must achieve level 1 English & Maths and take the test for level 2 if not already done so prior to taking the End-Point Assessment.

For those with an education, the apprenticeships English and Maths minimum requirement is entry Level 3. A British Sign Language qualification are an alternative if this is your main language. All applicants must be a minimum of 18 years old at the start of their job due to insurance reasons.

Conclusion

As demonstrated, the level 2 wireless commuications rigger apprenticeship is a great starting point for anyone looking to pursue a career in infrastructure. The core skills covered in the apprenticeship will open up a wide range of job opportunities. In addition, you will earn while you learn and not feel the financial burden of a universiy degree. Employers are keen to use apprenticeship to shape how their employees learn and progress, so apply today and start the dream job that’s awaiting you.

Digital Marketing: Do’s and don’ts of Facebook ads

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There is few a tool more powerful in any digital marketer’s arsenal than Facebook. Despite the rise of newer social media channels, Facebook and Instagram (which are integrated on the same ads manager) remain unbeatable social media giants. 44% of the UK population have a Facebook account and 32.4% are on Instagram. That’s a lot of people to potentially reach! Therefore, a key component of digital marketing is running an engaging and impactful Facebook campaign. I’ve compiled this list of do’s and don’ts to help you make the most of Facebook and maximise your campaigns.  

Digital Marketing mobile

The do’s of digital marketing on Facebook  

DO define & refine your audience 

With almost half the UK population on Facebook, you don’t want your brand message to be lost into the ether. Instead, take time planning who you want your ad to reach and what stage of the customer lifecycle they are at (see Understanding The Customer Life Cycle). Facebook’s targeting options are the best in the digital marketing industry, so make sure you play around with narrowing your audiences based on location, age, gender, interests and language.  

DO carry out split tests  

Split testing is the simplest way of improving your campaign performance. Often referred to as A/B split tests, they allow you to change variables (e.g. creative, copy, audience) to see which variation of your ad delivers the best results. Although it may be tedious at first, split tests can boost your ROI by 10x when done properly. Best practice is to focus on a single metric to determine success of your split test and compare performance accurately.   

DO report weekly & optimise 

Campaign optimisation is a necessary step if you want to decrease costs, increase ROI and boost engagement. The easiest way to do this is to check your campaign consistently by pulling a weekly report and analysing your metrics. Is one audience segment engaging with your ad more than the other? Optimise toward them. Are one of your creatives underperforming? Turn it off and shift spend to a better performer. Facebook is incredibly competitive so optimisation is essential to compete with big brands.  

Digital marketing desktop

The dont’s of digital marketing on Facebook 

DON’T stop organic social posts  

While Facebook paid ads are a great method of driving engagements and sales, they should be seen as an addition to organic posts. When someone sees your ad, they will most likely view your other social media before they make a purchase. You should post regularly on organic channels and also use non-paid social to interact with your audience in ways that you can’t with paid ads. This maintains your brand image and builds a sense of community that paid ads cannot.  

DON’T use engagement bait  

Engagement bait is a tactic used to goad users into interacting with your post (think “share this post to win ££”). Facebook has a strict policy in place against engagement baiting and there are rules to ensure that it is not done. Not only does this deceive the customer, but it also harms your brand. The key to good digital marketing is to keep your posts authentic and then your target audience will engage with you without being goaded.  

DON’T overdo it on the copy  

It’s easy to think that because you’re paying for your ad, you want to get the most bang for your buck and fill it with copy. However, the average human attention span is only 8 seconds and on Facebook people spend an average of 1.7 seconds looking at a piece of content. Don’t waste your time writing long copy for no one to read, instead invest in your creatives. An engaging, thumb-stopping creative will be more impactful than lengthy copy.  

Conclusion  

When done correctly, paid ads on Facebook can reach your target audience and boost your ROI. Facebook and social media are always evolving so what works one week may not work the next. You should consider these do’s and don’ts as a general guideline of Facebook paid social best practice to navigate this ever-changing landscape. Now you’re ready to explore Facebook ad manager for yourself!