Partner Article

Green Plumbing course is a UK first

A new apprenticeship scheme at Gateshead College is giving aspiring plumbers the opportunity to ‘go green’.

Plumbing apprentices nearing the end of their qualification are now able to top-up their skills with a certificate in renewable technologies. Gateshead College is the first and only college in the country to introduce this extra element to their plumbing course.

The college decided to add this element to the apprenticeship to support local businesses wishing to benefit from increased demand for green plumbing services. In the course of the qualification, the apprentices learnt how to install and maintain solar thermal heating systems, rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling.

Jim Dawson, plumbing lecturer at Gateshead College, said: “. As renewable technologies become ever more popular, particular among construction companies, we felt it was imperative the apprentices were equipped with the knowledge, skills and experience to carry out green plumbing services.

“We are the first college in the country to top-up the current plumbing apprenticeship with the renewable BPEC courses and cover the cost of doing so.”

ABC Services in Blaydon have already benefited from the scheme after their apprentice David Clark completed the course. He commented: “ Being able to extend my apprenticeship to include renewable training has been an invaluable opportunity.

“The skills I have learnt will certainly benefit me as more plumbing contracts diversify to incorporate green services.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .