http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/news/default.aspx The latest news from APHC Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:51:54 GMT Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:51:54 GMT enquiries@aphc.co.uk One of APHC’s stated aims in recent months has been to raise awareness of the importance of plumbing and sanitation.... ~/news/aphc-welcomes-un-recognition-of-water-and-sanitation-173.aspx The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors has held a very positive first meeting of its new Sustainability Group at the House of Lords. With a very high quality group of people involved.... ~/news/new-sustainability-group-promises-action-171.aspx APHC have been approached by SummitSkills to encourage building services engineering employers in England to sign up for access to potential funding for 50% of their training costs related to environmental technologies.... ~/news/joint-investment-programme-funding-for-environmental-technologies-training-169.aspx The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors has sold its 50% stake in BPEC Services Ltd and has immediately stopped endorsing its certification products for the foreseeable future.... ~/news/aphc-splits-from-certification-body-bpec-168.aspx Funding for training is a complex and confusing subject for employers, employees and new recruits alike. This is why the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors.... ~/news/aphc-launches-training-funding-guide-167.aspx Working with three professional institutions, BEST (Building Engineering Services Training) has launched a new development route with professional recognition for apprentices.... ~/news/best-creates-a-new-generation-of-professional-apprenticeships-166.aspx The Specialist Engineering Contractors (SEC) Group has today welcomed and pledged its support for Crossrail Limited’s (CRL) procurement strategy and policy.... ~/news/construction-group-pledges-support-for-crossrail-165.aspx The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Code Council, with both organisations pledging to work together.... ~/news/link-with-major-international-body-will-boost-plumbing-industry-worldwide-says-aphc-164.aspx The June 2010 edition of Hot & Cold is now available to download from the website.... ~/news/hot-amp-cold-june-2010-is-now-available-160.aspx In the last week or so there has been a very important case in the Technology and Construction Court which deals with a number of issues relating to adjudication.... ~/news/tolent-clauses-and-the-construction-act-157.aspx Joining the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors as Membership Sales Manager, Iain White has described the Association as having ‘enormous potential for membership growth..... ~/news/new-manager-at-aphc-aims-for-significant-membership-growth-156.aspx The Chairman of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group – which represents the largest single component of construction output.... ~/news/construction-industry-leader-throws-out-a-challenge-to-brown-cameron-and-clegg-155.aspx MoreAbility, based in South Leeds, has secured a further three-year agreement with the Leeds City Council Adaptations Agency for the delivery of bathroom and toilet adaptations for the elderly and disabled until 2013.... ~/news/moreability-celebrates-three-year-city-council-contract-154.aspx The Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group – representing a sector comprising over 60,000 companies in the UK construction industry – has welcomed reports that Crossrail will be using project bank accounts.... ~/news/project-bank-accounts-crossrail-sets-historic-example-to-public-sector-clients-153.aspx Following the announcement by one of the big five banks that they are exiting the specialist adult education and training market.... ~/news/fly-by-night-trainers-hit-hard-times-152.aspx APHC’s Major Contractors Group met recently at the Houses of Parliament, attracting a high-calibre list of major plumbing and mechanical contractors. They discussed in detail the practicalities of turning the Government’s ambitious environmental aims into reality, concluding that without some radical changes, the targets set may be unreachable. The Group concluded that reaching these targets would need a unified approach not only from the industry but also from Government departments, rather than the fragmented approach currently being seen. ~/news/new-major-contractors-group-s-concern-over-zero-carbon-target-150.aspx Brussels, 18 March 2010 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, welcomed the results of today’s vote at the European Parliament’s Industry Committee on the late payments directive.... ~/news/smes-welcome-parliament-committee-s-vote-on-late-payments-149.aspx Following valuable feedback from the users of APHC’s one-stop notification site, the next generation system has now been launched giving users the ability to add notifications for new-build properties that have no recognised address.... ~/news/members-to-notify-new-builds-after-aphc-launches-next-generation-notifications-system-148.aspx The Association has announced 2010 dates for its highly-regarded training courses.... ~/news/2010-training-dates-announced-142.aspx The Government has announced that 44% of vouchers offering money off the cost of a new boiler have been claimed under its scrappage scheme for England.... ~/news/boiler-scrappage-scheme-interim-results-140.aspx The January edition of the SEC GROUP Focus is now available to download from the members area of the webiste. ~/news/sec-group-focus-january-now-available-137.aspx Gas Safe Register is issuing essential safety advice for householders on how to stay warm and safe during the extreme weather conditions. ~/news/keep-your-family-warm-in-the-big-freeze-136.aspx APHC has congratulated the Energy Savings Trust and the Department of Energy and Climate Change for rapidly pulling the Boiler Scrappage Scheme together.... ~/news/aphc-applauds-scrappage-scheme-launch-135.aspx Robert Burgon, Chairman of the World Plumbing Council has issued the following message about the upcoming World Plumbing Day.... ~/news/world-plumbing-day-message-134.aspx The December Edition of Hot and Cold is now available to download from the website.... ~/news/hot-and-cold-december-is-now-available-133.aspx Just months after APHC threw its weight behind the idea of a boiler scrappage scheme, the Chancellor announced in his Pre-Budget Report yesterday that in 2010 a boiler scrappage scheme will be implemented.... ~/news/aphc-supports-boiler-scrappage-scheme-but-warns-of-its-shortcomings-132.aspx The most extensive survey to date of the cost of pre-qualification in the construction industry has revealed that waste associated with this process amounts to almost £40 million a year – and this is just for the specialist engineering sector.... ~/news/cost-of-pre-qualification-of-construction-131.aspx E-Hot & Cold, APHC’s new electronic newsletter has officially been launched. ~/news/e-hot-amp-cold-launched-129.aspx City & Guilds have launched a series of new website pages guiding you through the move to the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).... ~/news/city-amp-guilds-give-guidance-on-qcf-128.aspx APHC's successful online notification system has been boosted by some fundamental changes that have been made in direct response to feedback from members.... ~/news/members-help-improve-aphc-notifications-system-127.aspx Following the publicity around Stirling University’s recently-released research on working with lead, and Channel 4 News’ subsequent report, APHC is re-issuing advice.... ~/news/aphc-issues-guidance-following-channel-4-lead-scare-125.aspx SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the building services engineering (BSE) sector, is seeking an independent director to join its team of board members from 1 January 2010.... ~/news/summitskills-seeks-new-board-director-124.aspx The October edition of Hot and Cold is now available to download from the members area of the website.... ~/news/hot-and-cold-october-now-available-123.aspx APHC (Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors) has written to key MPs calling for a review of the concept that Licence to Practise is the solution to skills problems within the sector. The Association is largely supportive of the Licence to Practise idea but believes that a number of key criteria need to be met before it could work without becoming a burden to the plumbing and heating industry. ~/news/aphc-calls-for-common-sense-approach-with-licence-to-practise-in-plumbing-industry-122.aspx The lead UK plumbing employers’ organisations APHC and SNIPEF with SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for building services engineering - which includes the plumbing and heating industry.... ~/news/tri-partite-agreement-by-industry-bodies-to-prevent-poor-training-practices-121.aspx The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced that the implementation of changes to Part G will be delayed until 2010.... ~/news/part-g-implementation-delayed-118.aspx SkillPlumb 2009 winner Christopher Lonsdale has won a medallion of excellence at the WorldSkills competition in Calgary.... ~/news/aphc-congratulates-chris-lonsdale-117.aspx In the four months since APHC launched its comprehensive notifications system, one of its largest members says the system has saved them over £12,000.... ~/news/aphc-member-saves-over-163-12-000-on-notifications-116.aspx The July / August Edition of Hot and Cold is now available to download from the website.... ~/news/hot-and-cold-july-august-now-available-115.aspx APHC (Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors) has broadly welcomed changes to Part G of the Building Regulations but has warned that the industry.... ~/news/part-g-aphc-welcomes-changed-regulations-but-issues-warning-114.aspx The new APHC 2009 training course dates are now available. These courses have been specifically designed... ~/news/aphc-training-course-dates-2009-92.aspx Part 8 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill was presented to the House of Lords... ~/news/local-democracy-economic-development-and-construction-bill-88.aspx The finalists of SkillPLUMB 2008 were awarded their prizes during an awards evening held at the National Motorcycle Museum at the end of October. ~/news/skillplumb-2008-the-winners-81.aspx The Department for Transport has announced a brand new programme aimed at UK van users. ~/news/calling-all-van-drivers-79.aspx Customers to benefit, rogue traders to suffer under joint initiative launched at Interbuild. ~/news/aphc-and-city-amp-guilds-in-ground-breaking-partnership-78.aspx The Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group has congratulated the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.... ~/news/industry-support-for-chief-construction-officer-75.aspx The Cancellation of Contracts Made in a Consumer’s Home or Place of Work etc. Regulations 2008 (commonly known as the Doorstep Selling Regulations)... ~/news/introduction-of-new-doorstep-selling-regulations-74.aspx APHC is offering members free coach transport to the industry’s largest building show, courtesy of Interbuild. ~/news/free-coaches-to-interbuild-73.aspx Issue 28 of our members newsletter, Hot and Cold is now available to download from the members area of the website. ~/news/hot-and-cold-october-2008-uploaded-72.aspx On Monday 8 September Capita signed a ten year contract with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to operate a new gas installer registration scheme... ~/news/capita-sign-contract-to-operate-new-gas-safety-scheme-70.aspx APHC is giving away free van stickers to any member who requests them. There is no limit to how many you can request and they are a great way to advertise your credentials as you and your employees drive around. ~/news/aphc-van-stickers-could-earn-you-money-69.aspx Interbuild 2008 is fast approaching and APHC is once again taking a leading presence at the show. As well as sponsoring the highly anticipated SkillPLUMB finals at the show APHC.... ~/news/interbuild-2008-68.aspx APHC is offering members and non members the following training courses between now and the end of the year... ~/news/aphc-training-courses-63.aspx APHC has become the new sponsor of SKILLPLUMB, the skills competition run by SummitSkills, the sector skills council for building services engineering. ~/news/aphc-to-sponsor-skillplumb-61.aspx Graham Beevers has been inaugurated as President of the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC). He succeeds Harry Pooley and can expect a busy 12 months of events and engagements. ~/news/new-aphc-president-inaugurated-at-biggest-ever-national-event-59.aspx Proposed revisions to two parts of the building regulations G – Hygiene and L – Conservation of fuel and power are currently the subject of consultation... ~/news/consultation-on-major-changes-to-regulations-affecting-plumbing-57.aspx This alert follows several incidents in the last five years, three of which resulted in serious injury, and sadly in one case, a fatality. ~/news/hse-safety-alert-redundant-solid-fuel-back-boilers-56.aspx A NEW HEATING & PLUMBING PAVILION is being launched at Interbuild 2008 (Sunday 26th – Thursday 30th October at Birmingham’s NEC). ~/news/aphc-and-interbuild-2008-53.aspx Rhianna Hardie coroner underestimates potential risk from failing heating appliances. APHC is warning that even more homes could be affected by potential failings in their hot water systems than the 3.5 million suggested by coroner Michael Rose, following the tragic death of Rhianna Hardie. ~/news/incomplete-advice-could-risk-a-further-1-5-million-homes-49.aspx Much as the Board and Management of the Association have tried to prevent it, the sad fact is that Regional and Local Associations are failing. Now the Association is asking members to consider a range of ideas for the Regional and Local Associations - and to suggest their own ideas if they feel strongly about it. ~/news/major-consultation-announced-44.aspx With the ever-growing fashion for hose attachments and the ever-increasing enforcement of Water Regulations, APHC is warning plumbers about the serious health consequences of getting this type of installation wrong. ~/news/aphc-warns-on-high-risk-fittings-with-hoses-41.aspx The Chief Executive of the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) has heavily criticised CORGI’s new registration system for ‘private jobs’ ~/news/corgi-s-new-registration-system-could-legitimise-black-economy-40.aspx Concerned that many plumbing and heating engineers in the industry are breaking the law due to not being aware of the number of their jobs that fall under Building Regulations and therefore must be notified to Local Authority Building Control, APHC is putting on free seminars to explain the situation. ~/news/aphc-puts-on-free-seminars-to-ease-building-regulations-confusion-37.aspx The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors could be forced to call an EGM over its decision to launch a judicial review against the government over Hips, after nearly 150 members have signed a petition calling for the immediate launch of Hips. ~/news/rics-faces-member-challenge-to-legal-action-on-hips-36.aspx The All Party Parliamentary Building Services Engineering Group (APPBSEG) has added its voice to the construction industry’s endorsement of the Olympic Delivery Authority’s (ODA) decision to remove retentions for first tier contractors ~/news/influential-parliamentary-group-backs-industry-retentions-call-35.aspx The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) is warning plumbing and heating companies that they could face a risk of litigation following the introduction of new smoking legislation if their employees have to work in the homes of customers who smoke. APHC is also asking both employees and employers to take a common sense approach when dealing with customers who are smokers. ~/news/new-smoking-regulations-could-damage-plumbing-industry-33.aspx The Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group has given an enthusiastic welcome to the wide-ranging enquiry into the construction sector recently announced by the House of Commons Trade and Industry Select Committee. ~/news/sec-group-welcomes-enquiry-into-construction-31.aspx Following much valued feedback from members regarding the strict entry criteria to our CPS scheme we are now pleased to announce that this rule has been relaxed for the time being. ~/news/changes-to-aphcc-cps-scheme-entry-29.aspx