July 2006
Fast Track Plumber Training - Beware
Plumbing industry organisations are receiving an increasing number of complaints from people who have paid large sums of money for ‘fast track’ training to become plumbers only to discover that the training is inadequate, the advertised qualifications are not fully achieved and/or the promise of lucrative work is non-existent. Examples include:
- organisations advertising themselves, quite legally, as City & Guilds registered, but they are not registered to deliver the specific plumbing qualification so the learner cannot be certified
- organisations delivering only the technical elements of training with no work experience, so learners cannot prove the competences required for the N/SVQ
- people investing in a franchise arrangement offering training and a promise of work opportunities once qualified, only to find out that they are charged for set up costs and a van amounting to thousands of pounds, and the promised work opportunities do not materialise.
The industry is working to find a solution to this problem, but it is complex as these training providers are operating within the law. In the meantime the key messages for people interested in a career in plumbing are:
- The skill shortages publicised a few years ago are no longer as acute and wage rates have now settled in line with other trades
- The industry recognised standard for plumbing is N/SVQ Level 3
- To find out about recognised training routes into the industry people should refer to the Learn Direct website www.learndirect.co.uk, which contains industry approved careers guidance
Any complaints about poor training in the plumbing sector should be referred to Summit Skills (Sector Skills Council for the Building Services Sector) – contact details can be found on their website www.summitskills.org.uk.
ENDS (281 WORDS)
JULY 2006
IPHE welcomes news on Government rethink
The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering welcomes the Government's decision to delay the implementation of the Home Condition Report as a mandatory requirement of the Home Information Pack.
Chief Executive Blane Judd commented "There have been doubts surrounding the implementation of the Home Condition Report for some time now. This latest announcement from Government will undoubtedly lead to concerns throughout the industry in relation to Building Regulations Competent Person Schemes. The Institute has long held the opinion that the enforcement of self certification schemes would be entwined with the introduction of the 'Home Information Pack' and the Home Condition Report in particular. With the future of the Home Condition Report now unsure, the status of competent persons certificates that could form part of the Report is unknown."
The decision to postpone the mandatory requirement for the inclusion of Home Condition Reports within Home Information Packs has been made to enable further research and testing to take place.
Industry holds concerns that the demand for Home Information Packs will outstrip the number of inspectors able to complete the condition reports. The Home Condition Reports themselves fail to include vital information about electrical services, subsidence, flood risk and land contamination. There are also doubts over the validity of a report commissioned by the seller and the shelf-life of a report that would only be reliable for six months.
When the Home Information Packs are launched on 1 June 2007, homeowners will be asked to provide an energy efficiency rating, searches and title deeds. Sellers can voluntarily provide a Home Condition Report despite plans for a mandatory report being delayed. The Government currently intends to phase in the Home Condition Report after further testing, although no date for this implementation has been set.
ENDS (297 WORDS)
JULY 2006
Consumer confusion over Home Information Packs
The Government has announced that it is delaying the introduction of the Home Condition Report as a compulsory feature of the Home Information Pack. Since Housing Minister, Yvette Copper announced the move on Tuesday 18th July, there has been widespread speculation on the validity of the proposed introduction of the Home Information Pack in June 2007.
Chief Executive of the Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering, Blane Judd, commented "The Institute welcomes the Government's decision to delay the inclusion of the Home Condition Report. There are industry concerns that the demand for Home Information Packs will outstrip the number of inspectors able to complete the condition reports. The Home Condition Reports themselves fail to include vital information about electrical services, subsidence, flood risk and land contamination, hence many mortgage lenders would require an additional report with further cost implications for consumers. It would be unwise to bring into force a mandatory condition which has not been proven to benefit the consumer".
"In addition to this, there have been doubts surrounding the inclusion of the Home Condition Report for some time. Public consultation of the proposed Home Information Pack* saw 56% of respondents concerned about the inclusion of the Home Condition Report, due to issues of practicality and its time sensitive nature. It was suggested that buyers would not trust a report commissioned by the seller and that the report would only be reliable for six months."
When the Home Information Packs are launched on 1 June 2007, homeowners will be asked to provide an energy efficiency rating, searches and title deeds. Sellers can voluntarily provide a Home Condition Report despite plans for a mandatory report being delayed. The Government currently intends to phase in the Home Condition Report after further testing, although no date for this implementation has been set.
* Source: Explanatory Memorandum to the Home Information Pack Regulations 2006 No. 1503
ENDS (306 WORDS)
JULY 2006
Consumers hit again
Consumers are reeling from yet another hike in gas and electricity prices. In some instances tariffs have risen by 50pc in a year and take typical bills through the £1,100 mark.
“Thousands of consumers are wondering how they are going to cope paying fuel bills this winter,” said Danny Davis, Technical Officer for the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE). “However, simple measures can be taken to decrease heating bills.”
- Turning down your room thermostat can mean big savings without leaving you cold - decreasing the temperature by only one degree can save you up to 10% on your heating bill.
- If you are thinking of upgrading; changing from an old standard efficiency boiler to an 'A' rated condensing boiler can save up to 30% on your fuel bills.
- Upgrading your heating controls will give you better control of your heating system and can reduce your heating costs by up to 17%.
- Upgrading your hot water cylinder to a pre-insulated model with a high recovery coil (heat exchanger) will make your hot water system more efficient. Alternatively fitting a new lagging jacket to your hot water cylinder will make it more efficient.
“It’s important to make sure your central heating boiler is serviced annually,” said Danny. “This will ensure that the boiler is operating to its optimum efficiency.”
Consumers can find a list of professional plumbers and heating engineers who can advise on energy saving products on the Institute’s website www.iphe.org.uk or they can ring the Head Office on 01708 472791, Monday to Friday in office hours. The Institute also has an advice line - 0870 4145533 - that is available for members of the public with queries regarding plumbing and heating systems, for example system/control upgrades and suitable solutions to problems – 0870 4145533.
ENDS (391 WORDS)
JULY 2006