Lawton NextGen

Lawton Next Gen supports the next generation of plumbers, gas engineers, and air-conditioning and refrigeration engineers. It offers practical guidance, industry knowledge, training information and career inspiration for people entering the trade.

It is designed for apprentices, college students, newly qualified engineers and anyone aged 16–24 who is considering a career in plumbing, heating, gas, air conditioning or refrigeration. You don’t need any trade experience, just an interest in learning more and developing practical skills!

We provide information about trade careers, qualifications, apprenticeships, copper-tube installation and the skills employers expect from new engineers.

Most people begin with a plumbing apprenticeship or a recognised college qualification. An apprenticeship allows you to earn a wage while developing practical experience and completing your training. For more advice on career pathways, visit the CIPHE website: Apprenticeship Options.

The qualifications required depend on the work you intend to undertake. A recognised Level 2 or Level 3 plumbing qualification, combined with supervised workplace experience, is a common route into the trade.

A plumbing apprenticeship normally takes several years, depending on the programme, employer and apprentice’s progress. It combines classroom learning with practical, on-site experience.

A good plumber needs practical ability, problem-solving skills, attention to detail and clear communication. Reliability, customer service and a strong approach to health and safety are equally important.

Yes. Plumbing provides practical work, recognised qualifications and opportunities to specialise or become self-employed. Skilled plumbers are required to install, maintain and improve essential building services.

You will need recognised gas training, supervised practical experience and appropriate assessments. To work legally on gas appliances, you must be suitably qualified and registered with Gas Safe. To learn more, visit the UK Gov website: National Careers – Gas Service Technician.

Yes. A suitable apprenticeship can provide the technical learning and workplace experience needed to begin working towards a career in gas engineering.

The Gas Safe Register is the official registration body for businesses and engineers legally permitted to carry out gas work in the UK.

Not automatically. A plumber may only undertake gas work if they have the correct qualifications and are registered with Gas Safe for the relevant type of work.

Gas engineers need strong technical knowledge, careful fault-finding skills and excellent attention to safety. They must also communicate clearly and keep their knowledge of regulations and technology up to date.

Plumbers normally work on water, drainage and heating systems. Gas engineers are specially trained and registered to work safely on gas appliances and associated systems. Some tradespeople are qualified in both areas.

ACR stands for air conditioning and refrigeration. An ACR engineer works with systems that control temperature, humidity and refrigeration in residential, commercial and industrial environments.

Common routes include an air-conditioning and refrigeration apprenticeship or a recognised technical college course supported by workplace experience.

Air-conditioning engineers install, service, maintain and repair cooling and climate-control systems in homes, offices, shops, hospitals and industrial buildings.

The requirements depend on the systems and refrigerants involved. Engineers may require an appropriate refrigeration and air-conditioning qualification, refrigerant-handling certification and practical workplace training.

F-Gas certification demonstrates that an engineer is qualified to handle certain fluorinated refrigerants safely. Engineers must hold the certification required for the type of work they perform.

Yes. Demand for cooling, refrigeration, heat pumps and energy-efficient climate-control systems is creating opportunities for properly trained ACR engineers.

Air-conditioning systems cool or control indoor environments. Refrigeration systems maintain lower temperatures for food, medical or industrial uses. Heat pumps transfer heat and can provide efficient heating as well as cooling.