The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors has created a new training provider membership category in response to growing demand from training centres and colleges.

The main aims of the new membership category are to develop closer links between employers and training providers, to ensure training providers have an input into industry consultative matters such as education or training matters and also bring together leading organisations within the industry to discuss education and training issues.

Graeme Dryden, APHC’s technical manager explained: “In the past six months APHC has received many enquiries from training centres and colleges regarding membership of the Association. We have not been able to meet their specific needs under our existing membership categories so it was decided to create this new category to meet the growing need to bring employers and training providers together to address common industry issues.

The initial response among training centres and colleges has been extremely positive with many looking to join as soon as possible.”

Vincent Kirkman, head of building services at Bolton College and national president of the National Association of Plumbing Teachers added: “We have been pushing for greater contact with employers on the subject of training for some time and we are delighted that APHC has created this new membership category to help us do just that. There are many training discussions and consultations that both training providers and employers should be jointly involved in. Through this new membership category we can all consult on issues that affect us across the industry.”

Membership for training providers costs from £380 + VAT per year. For more details or for an application form please call the training department on 012 711 5030.