September saw the colleges return and the new intakes of learners get started. I have visited the following centres in recent weeks to support them with a careers presentation and what the CIPHE does.
- Havering College, now part of New City College Group.
- Broadstairs College, East Kent Group
- Richmond College, West London
- MidKent College, Kent
- Preston’s College, Lancashire
- Wigan and Leigh College, Lancashire
- St Helen’s College, Merseyside
- City College Salford, Manchester
- Highbury College, Hampshire
- Chichester College, West Sussex
These colleges have been working hard to provide the best service possible to the next generation of Plumbers and Heating Engineers. They have all faced the challenge of moving over or not to the new Domestic Plumbing and Heating Apprenticeship Standard. However, the picture out there in FE is very mixed response on the take up, as the funding for the existing Frameworks is still active until December 2019 with some colleges not moving over as they feel they needed more time to prepare their staff and centres. However, there was also only one approved end point assessment centre registered at the end of September, leading to further concerns about being ready. To quote one centre, ‘the college is only expected to provide the training; they can’t assess their own apprentices’!
There is also a new apprenticeship pathway for gas, the Gas engineering Operative level 3 and the new Domestic Plumbing and Heating Technician Standard.
Here is the link to take a look at the new Standards- https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/?keywords=plumbing
https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/?keywords=gas
If you are an employer looking to start an apprentice onto the new schemes these links will help you see what the changes are and the expectations.
September is always extremely busy in a college, and I wish to thank those I visited for inviting me along to assist in the introduction process and supporting them with knowledge on what is happening in the industry. I am taking bookings now further into the academic year to offer you support through the visit as relevant industrial learning.
We have also created a package for colleges and private training centres to access many excellent resources whilst supporting the ATC holistically and recognising the professional staff. Drop me a line to find out what dates I have and the support we offer.
I have also had the great honour of being asked to become part of the judging panel for the high-profile HIP Apprentice of the Year event. This gets kick started in January 2020 in the South West Regionals and goes around the country to now include Scotland and onwards to the grand finale at Adey in Worcester on the 23/24th of April. Get on-line to book in your centre and let your learners excel at what you have taught them!
We held a stand for the first time at Screw Fix Live at Farnborough Exhibition Centre. This massive new building was a hive of activity for the three-day event, and it was great to meet some new and old faces, thanks for popping along.
Coming up we have PHEX in Manchester, Old Trafford and then Chelsea later on. These regular trade shows are off again, and we always want to hear from you as members as well as keeping you abreast of change in your industry.
Please also note two more links to the Future Homes Standard: Changes to the Part L and F Building Regulations for new Dwellings and Future Homes Standard consultation impact assessment. This important consultation is open now and we encourage you to participate as it might have far-reaching changes to your business, your consumers, and the way you work. Let us know your thoughts?
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-future-homes-standard-consultation-impact-assessment
J Whiteley
Technical Manager
You can contact Jerry directly via LinkedIn or via e-mail on jerryw@ciphe.org.uk