Two years since industry gathered for the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) Dinner with the president, 40 guests joined Mel Gumbs this month at the private dining rooms of The Gherkin building in London.
Lord Callanan, parliamentary under secretary of state (minister for business, energy and corporate responsibility), sent a video message covering the Heat and Buildings Strategy and the decarbonisation of buildings, as he commended the CIPHE on the delivery of its new Low Temperature qualification.
Mel said: “It is the culmination of over two years of work in developing a course that qualified and experienced installers across the industry can take part in.
“The role that our industry will play in helping the public to minimise the impact of fuel poverty is going to be increasingly important in the coming months.”
Fuel poverty is a priority area in the CIPHE’s 2022 manifesto update, which all in attendance were encouraged to read and lend their support to.
“We have maintained our engagement with apprenticeships, supporting a review of the Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician standard, have instigated all industry discussions on recognition of experienced workers, and supported post-Grenfell working groups dealing with competency of engineers,” Mel added. “In partnership with the Worshipful Company of Plumbers I can confirm that a New ‘Joint Apprenticeship’ Pilot has been developed. The scheme which I am honoured to launch this evening, is to mentor young plumbing/heating trainees and tradespeople, to provide a support structure for them to enhance their technical knowledge and career development. This collaboration will play a part in helping to ensure the industry is in safe hands for many years to come.”