Thanks to an initiative unveiled today (29 October 2008), consumers can now easily identify a qualified, skilled and professional plumbing and heating engineer.

Two leading industry bodies, the Association or Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) and City & Guilds have entered into a five-year agreement designed to bring together their expertise for the benefit of the consumer. With APHC’s guarantee of business excellence and City & Guilds’ assurance of high-quality qualifications, consumers can take great confidence in choosing an engineer with these organisations’ backing.

Excellent customer care, backed by up-to-date technical expertise that is clearly and succinctly communicated to customers through the new jointly-branded ‘The Plumbing Qualification’, should soon become standard.

The initiative was prompted by significant changes occurring within an increasingly diverse and complex industry including new technologies and regulation.   ‘This highlighted a need for continuous professional development and training for plumbing and heating engineers in order to provide a high standard of service to customers,’ said Chris Jones, Director-General of City & Guilds.

‘Today’s plumbing and heating engineer requires a greater understanding of new technologies and skills,  as well as competency in legally advising clients on the best option available for their needs whether it’s solar heating, ground source heat pumps or one of the more conventional products,’  he added.     ‘We have seen significant advances in the environmental technology that is essential to reduce the carbon footprint of the UK population. It is vital that plumbing and heating contractors and their employees have access to high quality qualifications, continuing professional development and business support services to ensure the consumer receives the best product and service.’

Clive Dickin, Chief Executive of APHC, commented:‘APHC’s members have for decades recognised the importance of high-quality qualifications and have great trust in the City & Guilds  portfolio. In more recent years, under-qualified rogue traders and unscrupulous qualified engineers have given the industry a bad name. This new relationship, however, brings a watertight, cradle-to-grave education system combined with rigorous business assessment, and backed by the reassurance of a comprehensive system to address customer grievances.

‘The Plumbing Qualification will give consumers confidence that their plumbing and heating engineer’s technical competence will be first class and their business ethics will be of a superior standard.’

The initiative will focus on 2 core areas:
- Improving the level of customer service (to level 3/equivalent to an ‘A’ level) provided by plumbing and heating engineers through training and development;
- Continuous professional development for APHC members to ensure they keep their technical expertise up-to-date and comply with regulations around building, sanitary installation, water and heating.

APHC members who comply will be able to promote APHC/City & Guilds recognition on their vans and promotional material.    The initiative will be backed by a Code of Practice  for APHC members, which is enshrined in the APHC Licensed Plumber Scheme. This Code of Practice should be honoured by all members and where a problem occurs, complaints are managed through a customer helpline.

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Media queries:

City & Guilds - Oksana Higglesden Tel:  020 7294 2556     

APHC - Nick Campion Tel:  07958 695778     

Notes to Editor:

City & Guilds (http://www.cityandguilds.com/ ) is the expert and leading authority in vocational education and training - both in the UK and beyond.
In operation for the last 130 years, City & Guilds is the UK’s leading awarding body for work-related qualifications. Twenty million people in the UK have City & Guilds qualifications, and the organisation awards a further 1.5 million qualifications to learners every year.
City & Guilds also enables people to develop essential leadership and management skills through its Institute of Leadership and Management, which is the largest provider of management qualifications in Europe.
City & Guilds creates prosperity from skills for individuals, business and nations within and beyond the workplace.

About APHC
The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) is the leading employers’ trade association for the plumbing and heating industry in England and Wales..
APHC provides invaluable business services to its members. It represents everyone from companies in the Times 100 on major construction projects to sole traders working in domestic properties. It has over 1,500 members, representing 60,000 plumbing and heating operatives.
It works with Government, local authorities, unions and consumer organisations on behalf of its members and aims to give customers the reassurance that they are working with a reputable, reliable and high-quality company.