http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/news/default.aspx The latest news headlines from APHC. 10 The finalists of SkillPLUMB 2008 were awarded their prizes during an awards evening held at the National Motorcycle Museum at the end of October. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/news/skillplumb-2008-the-winners-81.aspx Over the coming months, the new UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) will carry out an assessment of SSC's. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/news/sector-skills-council-relicensing-80.aspx The Department for Transport has announced a brand new programme aimed at UK van users. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/news/calling-all-van-drivers-79.aspx Customers to benefit, rogue traders to suffer under joint initiative launched at Interbuild. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/news/aphc-and-city-amp-guilds-in-ground-breaking-partnership-78.aspx In recognition of the unique needs of its larger member companies, APHC has launched the Plumbing & Heating Major Contractors’ Group. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/news/aphc-creates-new-industry-group-to-represent-major-contractors-77.aspx The President, Graham Beevers, has declared that it is important that accreditation schemes relating to the installation of microgeneration systems..... http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/news/renewables-should-be-part-of-competent-persons-schemes-says-aphc-president-76.aspx The Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group has congratulated the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.... http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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)... http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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... http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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.... http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/news/interbuild-2008-68.aspx APHC is offering members and non members the following training courses between now and the end of the year... http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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... http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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). http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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’ http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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 http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/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. http://www.competentpersonsscheme.co.uk/news/changes-to-aphcc-cps-scheme-entry-29.aspx