As one of West Midland’s fastest-growing retailers for specialist plumbing and heating supplies, Bell Plumbing Supplies wanted to use its success to encourage the next generation into the sector.
Even though 17-year-old Luke Gayden and 22-year-old Jamie Lee O’Neill both joined Bell Plumbing Supplies as trade supplier apprentices in 2022, their entries into the construction sector were very different.
“I never thought I would become a teacher after working in industry for so many years, but it has been a great move for me. I enjoy working at the college and learn new skills each week. The college has encouraged me to get my teaching qualification and seeing students' progress gives you a really good feeling.” Barry, Electrical & Plumbing Lecturer at UCG
1. PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
To plan, teach/deliver and develop high quality education and learning for students on College’s Courses within the Career cluster of Engineering, Construction and Building Services, to help them achieve their learning goals, in accordance with the College’s mission, values, and expectations, and the Professional Standards for Teachers and Trainers in Education and Trainers in education and training summarised at Annex I.
2. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Carshalton Boilers received a special visit from Sutton Mayor Cllr Trish Fivey and Deputy Mayor Cllr Annie Moral in recognition of its dedication to responding to the town’s heating and plumbing emergencies during the Covid-19 lockdown period.
A survey* of approved plumbers by the Water Regulation Advisory Scheme (WRAS) has shown how they see the Covid-19 pandemic impacting the industry in the long term.
Two thirds (68%) of those surveyed said things will change forever after the pandemic ends, with over half (59%) saying they expect social distancing and more stringent hygiene practices to continue indefinitely.
The pandemic has also made plumbers reconsider working practices going forward. While 15% think they may have to increase how much they charge after lockdown, some said they could cut fees instead to drive much-needed business.
Leading manufacturer of water pumps and pump systems, Wilo UK, has been awarded the AMP7 framework to supply Thames Water with wastewater pumps and associated equipment and engineering for eight years, including innovative systems with anti-clogging detection.
Wilo UK, part of the Wilo Group, is a leading premium provider of pumps and pump systems for building services, water management and industry, using smart solutions that bring together people, products and services.
Thames Water has appointed Wilo UK to its framework for the design, installation, product supply, maintenance, repair and site services of wastewater pumps and associated products.
Homeowners in need of plumbing work can breathe a sigh of relief, as the majority of plumbers (84 percent) have confirmed they are willing to work during the Coronavirus pandemic.
However, in the study conducted by the Water Regulation Advisory Scheme (WRAS) one in ten plumbers said customers are not observing the social distancing guidelines during visits, marking a cause of concern for some.
Whilst just over half (53%) felt current guidance on what constitutes as ‘emergency’ work is insufficient, leaving them to make their own decisions on what type of work to attend to, most (75 percent) are willing to tend to a burst pipe. The emergency jobs they are most willing to repair are:
Stevenson & Reid, a family-owned plumbing merchant employing 60 people in Northern Ireland, has secured £1.5million from Ulster Bank through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).
The company, which has branches across Northern Ireland, says that the funding will provide it with essential cashflow and help secure jobs while many of its construction sector clients are not operating.
Founded in 1980, Stevenson & Reid has expanded to become one of the largest independent plumbing merchants in Northern Ireland with branches in Newtownabbey, Belfast, Newry, Bangor, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Omagh, Cookstown and Londonderry.
This Water Saving Week, the Water Regulation Advisory Scheme (WRAS) is reminding people about the importance of compliant water saving devices.
Running from 11th until 15th May, Water Saving Week is an annual event which aims to educate consumers and tradespeople alike on the issues around water use, the challenges around water efficiency, and ideas and solutions to help achieve it.
This Water Saving Week, the Water Regulation Advisory Scheme (WRAS) is reminding people about the importance of compliant water saving devices.
Running from 11th until 15th May, Water Saving Week is an annual event which aims to educate consumers and tradespeople alike on the issues around water use, the challenges around water efficiency, and ideas and solutions to help achieve it.