Annual salary: up to £28,186.33
Apprentice Plumber
Course title: Plumbing and Domestic Heating (Level 3)
Location: Leeds – Gelderd Road
Contract Type: Fixed Term Apprenticeship
Salary:
Age 16–18: £7.96 per hour — 40 hours per week (including time at college)
Age 19–20: £11.06 per hour — 42.5 hours per week (including time at college)
Age 21+: £12.21 per hour (rising to £12.71 in April) — 42.5 hours per week (including time at college)
Training provider: Leeds College of Building
You will join Mears Group in the week commencing 03/08/2026, The programme has an expected duration of approximately 48 months
About apprenticeships at Mears Group:
Apprenticeships are an underpinning part of Mears’ philosophy; we are committed to developing the next generation of our workforce, many of our most senior people started their working life as an apprentice.
Whether you are fresh out of school or college or looking for a complete career change, Mears can offer you a great foundation to your future career and beyond.
All our Apprentices are paid above the national minimum wage, and you’ll be paid for your normal working hours plus your attendance at college, with the opportunity to get real life experiences such as working in people’s homes, getting involved in community projects and improving people’s lives by being customer focused.
What does a life as a Plumber look like?
As a Plumber you will be assisting with the installation, maintenance and repair of plumbing systems, learning to diagnose and resolve faults. You will be able to provide our customers with products and services that help them have peace of mind by assisting them to understand how their appliances work and how to manage their energy usage efficiently.
The apprenticeship course will cover the following: -
1. Health and safety legislation, codes of practice and safe working practices
2. Understand selection, planning, installation, testing, commissioning and de-commissioning, service, maintenance, fault diagnosis and repair techniques on cold water, hot water, central heating, above ground drainage and rainwater systems
3. Understand installation and testing techniques for electrical components and control systems on plumbing and domestic heating systems
4. Understand the principles of domestic mechanical environmental technology systems
5. Understand the principles of fuel combustion, ventilation and fluing arrangements within a domestic environment
6. Understand the principles of high-quality customer service and establishing the needs of others (colleagues, customers and other stakeholders). Respect the working environment including customer’s properties
7. Understand different communication methods, how to communicate in a clear, articulate and appropriate manner and how to adapt communication style to suit different situations
What do you need to be a successful applicant: -
8. GCSEs in English and maths at grade 3 or above
9. The ability to travel to your college provider and to your branch when required
10. A genuine desire to learn and develop strong technical knowledge, including the skills, technology, and safety procedures needed to carry out the full range of tasks
11. Strong communication skills
12. Ability to build and maintain positive customer and client relationships
13. Please note due to the nature of the role, successful applicants must complete a basic maths and English assessment
What you will get:
14. Tools, Chromebook, and uniform supplied
15. An industry‑recognised qualification
16. 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays
17. £250 contribution towards driving lessons
18. Annual Mears Fun Day - a company‑wide celebration as a thank‑you from the Executive Team
19. Support from Mears Group Apprentice Ambassadors
20. Apprenticeship events and reward trips
21. Staff perks through Mears Rewards - including discounts on weekly groceries (up to 10%), holidays, eye‑test vouchers, ShareSave scheme, and more
Application Process:
22. All applicants must submit their CV and complete the apprenticeship questionnaire via the Mears Careers website
23. If shortlisted, you will be contacted to confirm whether you have been selected for the next stage - this may be an assessment centre or an individual interview
24. Please note: as part of the selection process, you will be required to complete a basic maths and English test, similar to the assessments needed to join the college
A bit about us.
Mears Group PLC is a leading provider of housing and care services in the UK. With a strong emphasis on social responsibility and community well-being, Mears specialises in delivering housing solutions, maintenance services, and care support to a diverse client base. The group’s expertise encompasses responsive repairs, planned maintenance, and housing management, contributing to the overall improvement of living conditions for individuals and communities. Mears Group is committed to fostering a positive impact on society, making it an attractive prospect for individuals seeking a career in a socially responsible and dynamic organisation. A career with Mears Group means putting people and customers at the heart of what you do, every day. Our culture is built on what we call our ‘Red Thread’ – the common values we share that make us what we are.
All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK, Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship.
Candidates should be aware that all our roles are subject to relevant Background, Identity & Security checks before commencement of employment.