Plumbing and Heating Skills Partnership unveils major expansion and strategic vision for a sustainable future

The Plumbing & Heating Skills Partnership (PHSP) is set to significantly expand and strengthen its membership following a strategic Skills Summit.

This expansion includes widening the PHSP UK Strategic Group membership to include the Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE), the Plumbing, Heating and Mechanical Engineering Joint Industry Boards (JIB-PMES & SNIJIB) and Unite the Union, marking a significant step towards creating a more representative and collaborative skills partnership for the UK plumbing and heating industry.

The Summit, held at BPEC’s offices in Derby, introduced a revised model for the PHSP UK Strategic Group, and addressed the many skills challenges confronting the industry. Collaborative initiatives agreed upon at the Skills Summit are designed to benefit the industry, with a special emphasis on supporting the industry’s essential role in the UK’s transition to net zero. By focusing on sustainable practices and innovations, the PHSP aims to contribute significantly to the national effort to reduce carbon emissions and achieve environmental sustainability goals.

“Our Partnership is dedicated to developing and extending education and training, fostering a commitment to professionalism and competency at every level within our industry. It’s centred around facilitating dialogue and collaboration across the profession alongside taking practical action,” says Duncan Wilson, PHSP Chairman. “With a membership that is both diverse and representative we can achieve greater outcomes; unity not only makes us stronger but also more effective.

“Our work is underpinned by a steadfast commitment to professionalism and competency, aiming to benefit the entire industry in the long term - from new trainees embarking on their careers, to national employers and established service providers. Consumers across the UK rely on the expertise and services provided by us, our members, and their people, ensuring high standards of quality and reliability in every home and business.”

Established in April 2017 as a not-for-profit skills partnership, the PHSP was founded by the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC), the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF), and the British Plumbing Employers Council (Training) Limited (The BPEC Charity). Its mission is to lead and support the development of standards, qualifications, and apprenticeships for the plumbing and domestic heating industry.

Duncan Wilson adds, “The PHSP works to ensure that appropriate and consistent standards, qualifications and apprenticeships continue to be available across the UK, alongside addressing wider future skills needs of the plumbing and heating industry.”

Representatives from all partners attended the recent Skills Summit with the aim of making the PHSP a more representative and collaborative skills partnership for the UK plumbing and heating industry.