News Review

Recognising excellence in education and training

BPEC, the industry provider of qualifications, assessments, training courses and learning materials, has partnered with the APHC and SNIPEF to announce a new awards initiative for the education sector.

After what has been a difficult year for the education and training sector, these plumbing and heating awards will reward students, apprentices and tutors who have excelled over the past months. BPEC is therefore seeking nominations for plumbing and heating trainers and trainees who have excelled in their area of expertise, overcome personal difficulties to succeed, or helped their community during the pandemic.

Nominations will close on st October, after which an independent panel of judges will assess all the entries before putting together a shortlist, from which the winners will be announced at a special virtual ceremony set to be

Entries are invited for the following four award categories: • Making a difference in the community • Best plumbing apprentice/ trainee • Best use of technology in the delivery of plumbing training • Best plumbing trainer in the workplace

“Our objective in launching these new and exciting annual awards is to celebrate the achievements and innovations of tutors and trainees over the past months,” states Neil Collishaw, Chief Executive year, we are keen to showcase the dedication, expertise and sheer hard work of those working in the sector and actually in education.”

It has also been announced that Monument Tools will be the main Awards sponsor.

The APHC is inviting installers and manufacturers to get involved with this year’s Quality Plumber Week on - October. Organised by the Association, the week aims to raise awareness of the skills within the plumbing and heating industry while also shining a spotlight on the many plumbing businesses that play a vital part in the community, from unblocking sinks to making sure drinking water is safe. to champion those who have population throughout the pandemic.

You can join the conversation on social media at #QPW and learn how to get involved by using our online reader link service below: phamnews.co.uk/

Chester apprentice wins award

JTL, the national training provider for electrical, plumbing and heating apprenticeships, has named Chester-based Harrie Nixon-Jones as the national winner of its Mechanical Engineering Services (MES) award at this year’s National Apprentice of the Year awards, which took place at The Victory Services Club in London.

Harrie says: “I am completely overwhelmed and delighted to receive such a prestigious award. I have worked hard throughout the whole of my apprenticeship and have really committed myself to becoming the best engineer that I can be, so to have my work recognised like this feels wonderful.”

The purpose of awards is to recognise its highest achieving apprentices in the building services engineering sector and to celebrate their success. Candidates – who are all recently qualified – are nominated based on their outstanding performances throughout the four years of their training.

Nathan Price from Blackpool, who recently completed a successful apprenticeship at local overall winner of the JTL National Apprentice of the Year Award for , while Southampton’s Oliver Parry was named the national winner for Electrical Engineering Maintenance.

A week to remember Most consumers still favour boilers, says survey

A new customer survey undertaken by BoilerGuide has revealed that gas boilers remain the heating option of choice for the majority of UK consumers. The online boiler quotation service asked customers who had enquired for a new gas boiler if they had considered any renewable heating options before opting for a new gas boiler.

Over % of respondents replied negatively, with one customer saying: “They (heat pumps) are all a big expensive con job.” Another revealed that they had considered going green, “But a heat pump needs to go in a new build or better insulated house”.

Other reasons for customers avoiding renewable alternatives included “government grant limitations”, and % of customers said that they had considered more eco-friendly heating options but had

Founder of Boiler Guide David Holmes says: “The data show that more must be done by the government to encourage customers to consider installing renewable heating systems. The delay in the Heat and Buildings strategy is certainly not helping, and homeowners and the heating industry have been left in limbo. We’re still in the dark about incentives and any potential funding that might be available to support greener alternatives. Meanwhile, demand for gas boilers continues to grow.”

The government has committed to banning gas boilers in new-build homes from and is also expected to phase out gas boilers completely in a bid to achieve net-zero carbon emissions targets by . Boiler Guide also asked customers if the recent news coverage on the so-called boiler ban had influenced their decision. % said that they were not aware of any news stories while % said they had seen the coverage but were still happy to install a new boiler. % a new boiler because of the news.

David Holmes adds: “It’s surprising that despite a lot of media coverage, plans to ban boilers are clearly not seeping through to the public. Even when they are, it seems the majority of customers want to stick with what they know. If we want to achieve carbon emission targets and change customer behaviour, a rethink on strategy is a must and this needs to include a viable alternative that is both

“It is clear that the government has a lot to do to convince and incentivise the public to change their thinking on heating their homes.”

Infrastructure plans need to be supported by training surge

The government’s ambitious infrastructure plans for the next decade need to be matched by a massive surge in training and recruitment, argues the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA). The plan, as detailed in the policy paper ‘Transforming Infrastructure Performance: Roadmap to ’, could lead to a surge in new opportunities for apprentices,

“The current turmoil in our supply chains undermine the best laid plans,” says BESA’s “The government’s infrastructure plans are exciting but will place even greater strain on by a colossal push to bring new blood into the expected to continue heating up over the next construction and engineering- is not just about Brexit. We’ve seen a shift in the economy, which was accelerated by the hospitality.”

BESA says it is seeing encouraging growth in the numbers of young people interested -based training where they guaranteed job at the end. The rise of technical training including the introduction of T-levels is also helping to promote careers in building engineering and related disciplines. -up call for professional development and rewarding them properly is the best way to demonstrate

“Building engineering will play a crucial role in rebuilding the economy and driving us towards a lower carbon future, so it is very important that we don’t undervalue our own product. ”

Resources for new recruits

The Future Talent Initiative (FTI) is a new educational programme from Worcester Bosch aimed at supporting young installers and apprentices to succeed in the heating and hot water industry.

The training initiative, which has been devised in partnership with HIP magazine, will involve experienced installers, Worcester Bosch, and third-party experts across insight across three initial themes.

The ‘ to in Seconds’ series - of topics including product installation, fault- -world insight. These are presented by Worcester’s training and technical support teams, plus experienced installers.

Worcester Bosch experts go into detail on where the heating industry is heading, including future technology and policy updates.

Finally, ‘Life in the Fast Lane’ is a series of pre-recorded webinars from experts outside when entering customer homes, while sales advisor and author Kieran Perry gives more general business advice, and wellbeing consultant Neil Laybourn focuses on the importance of mental health. Conor Evans from on the role of ‘Head of Future Talent’ as part of the scheme. He says: “We held a series of focus groups with young installers last year. They expressed the need for more support from manufacturers in their training and early career stages, which was really the inspiration behind the Future Talent Initiative.” phamnews.co.uk/

Guide to dementia-friendly bathrooms

Now available from AKW is a new guide to creating dementia-friendly bathrooms. Produced with support from specialist dementia design advisers at the University guidance on designing this important space. issue of dementia into practical design points that can be easily applied in any bathroom adaptation. The guide details the seven major challenges and gives phamnews.co.uk/

Top award for Yorkshire installer

The winners of the Heating Installer Awards have been announced following a peer-reviewed technical challenge and a record number of public votes. Grant Gundelfinger, of Leeds based Mayfly Group Ltd, fought off strong competition to be crowned at this year’s InstallerSHOW at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Grant impressed the judges and the wider public with his high level of technicality, outstanding professionalism and commitment to the industry and his customers.

This is the third year Grant has excelled at title in both and and was national runner up in .

“It’s the third year that I’ve been recognised as the best Heating Installer won the overall national award,” said Grant. “To be honoured by your peers as well as some of the biggest names in the industry is incredibly gratifying and I am claimed the coveted runner-up spot, while Carl Ladd from Leamington Spa scooped the Rising Star award which recognises the industry’s budding apprentices. Carl, who started his plumbing career after severely crushing his hand in an accident, impressed the judges with his level of commitment to achieve high standards.

Last, but by no means least, the Most Sustainable Installer Award, which recognises those who are doing everything they can to minimise the impact of Benjamin Lee from B LEE Plumbing and Heating in Salcombe, Devon.

Shower showroom opening

Cumbrian shower products manufacturer, Kudos has opened a new ft2 warehouse in Sandbach, Cheshire, to house its location for efficient delivery to stockists. The move is part of a £ investment which has created more space at the Cumbrian factory and increased production.

The facility also includes a ft2 showroom and training facility where all of the company’s latest product collections are on display, including shower doors, walk-in enclosures, shower trays and wetroom systems. Retailers are encouraged to use the facility to show products to their enduser customers and book product

Nick Graville, sales and like our customers to treat these areas as an extension of their own showrooms, perhaps to show consumers a product they don’t have on display. They just have to let us know and we will facilitate the visit for them.”

L to R: Todd Rief (CEO of Armstrong Fluid Technology), Jason Kee (Trade Commissioner of the High Commission of Canada), and Simon Parker (UK Country Lead for Armstrong Fluid Technology)

Meeting growing demand -site plant rooms

As part of its expansion in the UK, Armstrong Fluid Technology has opened a new systems manufacturing centre in Droitwich. The ribbon September. has provided additional space to accommodate growing demand for -site manufactured plant rooms and energy centres. The new site is a key facility for Armstrong, which specialises in the construction of packages. The company had been manufacturing packaged plant rooms .

Earnings up in August

The latest figures from Hudson Contract show self-employed plumbers saw their earnings rise in August, despite the holiday season. The second consecutive monthly in the construction industry supply chain. Average weekly earnings for self-employed plumbers increased by % to £ per week during August. of Hudson Contract, comments: “Self-employed plumbers are enjoying good earnings with strong demand for their specialist services. Most construction companies are reporting full order books, driven by new housing and renovation work.

“This growth is creating challenges with labour and material shortages. Costs are rising on a daily basis, which is squeezing margins projects, and shortages are causing delays in existing projects.

“Many companies are looking forward to the end of the government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme this month, which should encourage more people back to work.”

Purchases mean prizes in rewards app

A new rewards app has been launched by Wavin as part of its ‘Gear Up’ customer loyalty campaign. The mobile app gives customers points every time they buy Wavin products, including those in the Hep O and Osma ranges.

Points can then be redeemed against a range of vouchers and gift cards from brands including Amazon, Argos, Just Eat and Greggs, and there is even an opportunity to put points towards holidays, with vouchers up for grabs from Jet Holidays and TUI.

To collect points, users either submit their invoices or scan receipts through the app, earning one point for every pound spent. There are also hundreds of introductory bonus

Daniela Gould, marketing director, comments: “It’s important that our customers know we appreciate their support, and the Wavin Rewards app means we can give them something back with every purchase they make.”

To download the app and start making the most out of purchases, simply use the reader link below. phamnews.co.uk

near Gargrave, North Yorkshire, the day begins with the AGM, followed by the conference which includes a series of coordinated Expert Panel sessions, presentations and networking events. Leading the speaker line-up will be Lord Callanan from the government. The dinner in support of Macmillan Cancer Support, hosted by Ricky Tomlinson (Jim from the Royle Family). out more about the conference and how to reserve a place on the day. phamnews.co.uk

Webinar on plastic pipes

BPF Pipes Group is holding a lunchtime webinar focusing on the role plastic pipes will play in contributing towards the UK’s net zero targets. Scheduled to take place on October at noon, the webinar is aimed at those wanting to improve their knowledge of the net zero economy.

The first part of this webinar will focus on how plastic pipe manufacturers can reduce their net carbon emissions and measure progress. The second part will cover how plastic pipes contribute to the journey to net zero through their various applications. This section will cover why plastic pipes are chosen for applications like hydrogen, ground source heat pumps, district heating and underfloor heating.

The final webinar of the current series is ‘Designing Drains and Sewers’, taking place on November. More information on each webinar and links to register are available from the BPF Pipes Group website. phamnews.co.uk

Association conference

The Ground Source Heat Pump Association is using its upcoming annual conference to focus on net zero, and both members and nonmembers are invited to attend. The event will provide a number of opportunities to meet in an informal setting to get expert advice and information in the beautiful surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales. To be held on October at the Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa

Pedal power for charity

A retired plumber and former board member of SNIPEF recently raised over £ for the Children’s Hospice Across Scotland charity (CHAS) by completing a sponsored cycle ride around the island of Arran. George Young, , decided to set himself the challenge because SNIPEF’s regular annual dinner, which typically raised around a year for CHAS, had not been held since due to the pandemic. by lots of my old SNIPEF friends, colleagues and associates to make the mile cycle round the beautiful Isle of Arran,” comments George.

To date, the SNIPEF community has raised £ for