The ever increasing importance of Skills training centres in providing the crucial qualified trades personnel for the electrical, plumbing and gas industries has been recently highlighted. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has warned that the construction industry could face a skills shortage as a result of a very challenging economic period ahead, especially as some firms are still trying to recover from the recent recession.

As a result of recession and slow recovery the number of apprenticeships available has been reducing and it is suggested that the private sector is best placed to improve the workforce numbers. Working with the government to help support the shortfall, the role of the skills training centre will be further enhanced, if future quotas of properly trained and qualified electricians and plumbers are to be available for housing supply projects.

According to the HBF, the increasingly heavy demands for providing energy efficient homes will naturally demand a skilled workforce competent to carry out the urgent tasks of meeting the government’s emission reduction target in the next ten years.

The government is still committed to private sector domestic and commercial building developments around the UK which works towards sustainable energy efficient heating and lighting. Established and recognised key skills training establishments like Able Skills may now be the only real training opportunity for the many who seek to gain qualifications on electrical courses , such as the key entry NVQ City & Guilds Electrical 2330 level 2 or on the City & Guilds NVQ Plumbing 6129 level 2

Both are the recognised as the approved and accredited career training courses necessary to step onto the industry ladder for all first time students without previous knowledge or experience, and which introduce the core subject principles and practical abilities needed to qualify as a competent plumber or electrician.

Energy efficiency is now such an urgent priority that it’s becoming clear that undertaking green energy course training in Solar PV installation or ground /air source heat pumps is going to directly benefit trade skills trainees. Knowing how to make a green energy assessment and undertake the required installation will be of direct relevance to experienced electricians and plumbers, who wish to upgrade their trade service skills.

The drive to push energy efficiency throughout the UK continues despite of the uncertainty of the economy. The recently announced Government Green Deal is aimed to radically overhaul the energy efficiency of homes and small businesses and according to the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Chris Huhne, “ ..could support a quarter of a million jobs over the next 20 years”. Green Deal private sector investment of a projected £7 billion per year, is being seen as a boost to potential job creation, including the vital construction trade skills of plumbing.

The issue of energy efficiency has always been an important aspect of training to be a plumber, and is playing an ever more important role in today’s urgent challenge to meet the Government’s target to both reduce carbon emissions by 10% within next 12 months and the EU emission target, now set to 30%, by 2020.

The Green Deal, intended to save carbon, energy and reduce fuel bill costs, is conceived as a new and radical way of making energy efficiency affordable for all, whether they own or rent their property. Householders and business owners are being encouraged to seriously consider implementing urgent energy efficiency measures, such as loft and cavity wall insulation, through a ‘pay as you save’ scheme which will be repaid through a charge on a home’s energy meter, and offset by the savings made on fuel bills.

The Green Deal is being viewed by Government as an unprecedented and long overdue, energy business opportunity, which will benefit all trades across the industry supply chain. The hope is that eventually, all 26 million UK households will adopt the Green Deal over the next 20 years. As a result, employment in the sector would rise from its current level of 27,000 to around 250,000, and assuring a long term boost for newly qualified trainee plumbers.

Although the Green Deal is concentrated primarily on installation of insulation, it is hoped that the drive to install efficient green energy such as solar heating and ground source heat pumps, will be also be encouraged.

Trainee plumbers begin their knowledge learning and practical skill training on the initial NVQ Plumbing 6129 level 2 course, progressing onto the next level NVQ Plumbing level 3, which introduces and develops a student’s understanding of the implementation of energy efficiency, along with regulatory health and safety issues, into everyday plumbing tasks.

Whether you want to learn how to tile your own bathroom or kitchen or are seriously thinking of training properly to be a qualified tiler, you need to understand the basic theory knowledge and practical skill requirements first. Otherwise you could incur much needless expense and frustration! Using the right adhesives and grout for every type of different application is as important as the way you lay the tiles!

There are a number of courses that can be taken, including the approved City & Guilds NVQ tiling qualification, which can also be undertaken over a couple of weekend tiling courses, if there is restriction on training during the working week.

It’s important to know that floor tiles are rated according to their resistance to wear, ranging from ‘very low’ for bare feet only, applying for example, in a shower room, or ‘light’ for slippers or soft-soled shoes, most likely in a bathroom, to ‘heavy’ where most abrasion could occur, from a commercial kitchen to a garage area.

The correct adhesive must be used with each type of tile, from splash proof to water resistant, and according to each type of surface that will take the tiles. For example, floor adhesive possess flexible properties to avoid damaging  floor tiles. It’s always important to choose the correct adhesive and grout.

When training on a tiling course, ways of approaching the practical problems that invariably occur are the very key to understanding the principles of correctly applied tiling arrangements. At the outset, you will need to know if the tiles are for the wall or floor, if the fixing is to a solid wall or a timber floor, where the tiles are going to be used, e.g. if underfloor heating is present!

Even the choice of grout for a floor or wall tiling scheme is important too! Often the most traditional way of grouting was to use white on the walls and grey on the floors, but new, modern types of tile designs, materials and colours now available on the market mean a greater creative flexibility is possible.

Learning how to mark out complicated spaces and establishing multiple centre lines, dealing with turning corners and unusual elevations, are just the start of learning to perfect the techniques of a highly skilled trade, where practice makes perfect, but you do need to learn the trade secrets first!

A home’s consumer unit – or fusebox, as it used to be known – is at the very heart of the house electrical supply circuit. It’s absolute ability to provide a safe and secure control to both prevent and minimise risk from any possible electrical supply discontinuity, malfunctioning or overload is crucial to home and occupants safety.

Learning all about the consumer unit forms a major part of studying on City & Guild NVQ electrical courses, especially for trainee electricians starting out on their career to become a fully trained and qualified electrician, competent to correctly undertake all the key domestic install and problem solving tasks.

Over the years, many campaigns have been mounted by the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) to highlight the continuing existence of problems with the countless numbers of dangerous fuseboxes in existence around the UK. In particular, the hidden dangers of long obsolete types of fuses, which are incapable of providing instant, complete protection.

The latest initiative is the ESC’s flagship Plug into Safety campaign, in partnership with leading electrical wholesalers, which launched a special ‘toolkit’ for electricians on September 3rd. The toolkit accompanies an info pack, which is specifically designed to help contractors communicate the benefits of proper ‘RCD’ fuse protection to customers. In addition, each pack will contain detachable blank business cards, which urges homeowners to install RCD protection, which electricians will leave with customers after a house-call.

It is estimated that there are still 13 million homes – a staggering half of the UK – which do not have adequate RCD protection in their consumer unit, or fusebox, and are at risk of fatal injury or fire. Every year in the UK about 70 people die and 1.2 million are injured in electrical accidents at home. The Plug into Safety campaign aims to reduce the number of electrical accidents in the home by encouraging the installation and habitual use of RCDs.

Electrical students begin their training on the NVQ Electrical 2330 level 2 course, which introduces all the key principles of electrical safety procedure when assessing, installing or repairing an electrical appliance or circuit wiring. The obligatory skills training development continues on with NVQ Electrical 2356 level 3. The demand for an electrician’s service is never-ending, as the unbelievable high number of inadequate UK’s home consumer units demonstrates, and shows very clearly that long term employment prospects are assured.

Recently, secretary of state for education, Michael Gove announced that an independent review of vocational education for 14 to 19-year-olds is to be carried out. It had been suggested that when it comes to Higher Education training, there needs to be a balance in vocational courses between teaching practical skills and building job competencies.

In other words, skills training should balance theory knowledge with practical application. In today’s working environment, the emergence of new technology impacts every industry and it is becoming increasingly important that trades personnel should ensure their knowledge is updated to adapt their learning, in order to know how to solve new and broader practical tasks.

We are all aware of the development of green energy and their applications in both the electrical and plumbing industries. Today’s plumber – or electrician – must be able to understand the theory behind renewable energy in order to correctly specify for installation of appliances.

It is vital that learning to be plumber requires undertaking a serious career development through at least two levels of knowledge learning and practical skill training to qualify, in order to be considered a competent plumber. Established, industry recognised skills training courses such as City and Guilds, provide a comprehensive schedule of subject understanding and implementation. The first step to being a plumber begins with the NVQ 6129 level 2 course, designed to introduce the student to all the fundamental theory learning and practical instruction required before being eligible to progress further.

The good news is, at AbleSkills training centre, the importance of both the theory and the practical, has always been central to staff tutor’s assessment and verification of complete training by the student. Considered so important in fact, that a student is able to study plumbing theory at home in their own time and individual pace, to be sure they have the knowledge truly memorised and understood before attending the practical course.

Alongside their dedicated plumbing department, AbleSkills has developed fully equipped green energy studios for heat pumps training as well as for solar heating courses, with all the latest tools and technology equipment needed for students to fully obtain a complete skills training in this vital, key issue area.

For anybody looking to secure a future career path as a plumber in today’s environmentally-aware world, they will still need to start out with the proper underpinning knowledge to build upon.  In this time-honoured way, real confidence will be gained in order to undertake the many different types of plumbing tasks they will inevitably be called upon to carry out.

About this time, every year, the advice is given out to all property owners to conduct a timely house health check up as the first signs of autumn appear. Sadly, all too often the sensible words of advice are not always heeded and inevitably, another hard winter sees the depressing list of statistics of people overcome by burst water pipes, blocked radiators, overflowing gutters, falling slates and detached aerials.

Better safe than sorry – and soaring house insurance premium renewals! Now really is the time to prevent a disaster waiting to happen!

The ideal inspection of your property should be twice year, once in the Autumn for accident prevention, and once in the Spring, to repair any accident damage – with an increased list of items to check each time. Just by taking a small amount of time to carrying out a little regular maintenance, you will avoid unnecessary problems and save potentially untold amounts of money.

If you’re not sure about carrying these checks out, then AbleSkills offers short Handyman courses ,City & Guilds Multiskills courses and even DIY courses, which can give you practical advice on electrics, plumbing, heating and decorating issues.

Why not make a note to do that check NOW, so you can put anything right which will prevent suffering untold aggravation and misery during the winter.

The following checklist will help to ensure you do not miss out on examining the most important items.

Exterior Checks – mostly a ground level check is sufficient to detect some sign of a problem.

• Windows and doors – lightly oil hinges and locks.
• Gates – are they closing and latching securely with signs of stiff or sticking hinges?
• Airbricks – are they clear ?
• Building ground level – has it built up anywhere bridging the damp proof course or blocking an air brick ?
• TV aerials and masts – do they still look secured and well attached ?
• Cables from any TV aerials and masts – are they all secured fast to the wall ?
• Paths and patios etc for any build up of moss or weeds – if they need cleaning, use a pressure washer.
• Water dripping from overflows.
• Woodwork around the garden (gates, fences, sheds etc) – is anything loose (fence panels etc) or showing signs of rot.
(especially check each fence post and the rails), does anything need a coat or paint or preservative?
• Gutters –check and clear leaves, twigs, silt, along pipes , junctions, down pipe openings and grills.
• Drainpipe grills – clear any and all obstruction in the form of leaves, silt, gravel, twigs ..etc

Interior checks – you must call a professional qualified plumber or a GasSafe card carrying gas fitter to carry out the checks below:

• Radiators –fully operational and responsive – need air bleeding or blockage clearing ?
• Boiler – correctly programmed and working.
• Thermostats – correctly programmed and working.
• Water Tank & Pipework – fully and securely insulated throughout – check for loose lagging.
• Dripping taps in and outside of the house – it is easy to become used to these but they do need to be rectified.

Ontime Trades have recruited two Able Skills plumbing students to join their experienced and highly skilled team.

Andy and Martin are set to put their heating and drainage skills to the test for Ontime Trades after completing accredited plumbing courses, gas training courses, commercial gas courses and renewable energy courses with Able Skills.

Both men started training to become plumbers and gas engineers when they left their jobs in the print industry which experienced a marked decline in employment opportunities during the recession.

The former printers chose the recognised entry into the plumbing sector by taking levels 2 and 3 of the City & Guilds 6129 Plumbing Technical Certificate, which gave them the required knowledge to move forward onto the NVQ.

City & Guilds’ 6089 Plumbing NVQ is the necessary qualification for people who work or want to work as plumber and can only be undertaken by those working in a plumbing-related job.

Andy and Martin complemented their plumbing skills by becoming fully qualified Gas Safe registered engineers by taking gas training courses at Able Skills’ approved CITB Gas Training and Gas Assessment Centre.

Able Skills’ qualified team of trainers and assessors also taught Andy and Martin in the realistic environment of the dedicated Commercial Gas Centre, which has enabled the twosome to work safely within the commercial gas industry.

Holding formal plumbing and heating qualifications allowed Andy and Martin to take renewable energy courses and learn the skills to install and maintain environmentally friendly technologies such as heat pumps.

The duo posses the opportunity to appeal to a wider customer base by applying to become an EU Certified Heat Pump Installer as part of the Eucert scheme operated by the European Heat Pump Association.

Able Skills are delighted that Andy and Martin have secured employment so quickly after leaving our training centre and feel sure that Ontime Trades customers will benefit from their heating, plumbing and draining services.

Able Skills are delighted to announce that two of our graduates are now working as fully qualified electricians.

Russ and Clive only recently completed their electrical education with Able Skills and were soon snapped up by Ontime Trades, a new company offering plumbing and electrical services in the Kent area.

The two sparks are completely qualified to carry out every aspect of domestic and commercial work having passed a wide range of the electrical courses provided by Able Skills.

Russ and Clive decided to start on the path to being approved electricians eighteen months ago after becoming disillusioned with their previous jobs in the print and bakery industry respectively.

The duo took the recognised route by beginning their practical and theoretical learning on levels 2 and 3 of the City & Guilds 2330 Technical Certificate in Electrotechnical Technology before passing the City and Guilds 2356 NVQ Level 3.

Taking the City & Guilds 2382 17th edition courses and levels 2 and 3 of the Inspection and Testing Certificate was essential for remaining up-to-date with industry regulations and upgrading their status as electricians.

Russ and Clive can self-certify their own work on domestic dwellings after completing Part P courses and are also qualified to undertake portable appliance testing (PAT) having passed the 2377 Testing of Electrical Equipment course.

Having completed this variety of electrical courses, the twosome were then able to take their learning to the next level by enrolling on Able Skills’ renewable energy courses.

The sparks can also take advantage of the booming green energy market by installing and testing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems after passing the City & Guilds 2372 Level 3 qualification.

Able Skills are confident that Ontime Trades customers can rely on the professionalism of Russ and Clive as they are highly accredited and experienced electricians who are capable of performing every electrical service.

At this time of the year, many men and women will be looking to find good trade skills courses, and electrical courses, especially an Electrical NVQ, are always a much in demand qualification. With cutbacks certain for some public sectors, advance action to switch careers or update skills is increasing.

Finding the right approved and accredited trade skills trainer can be daunting as there appears to be so many providers offering all sorts of different courses. It can be very confusing! The question is always, which course is best for you and how do you know you will receive the correct training and qualification?

Taking your time, doing research and thinking things through is the best approach. By obtaining as much information as you can to compare and contrast what’s on offer makes the process much easier to break the data down and come to a decision that you know is likely to be right for you and your requirements.

Today, the first step is to go online and visit the website first. Carefully look at all the pages and pick up those vital clues that should tell you how long have they been established, if they are properly approved and accredited for the right type of recognised industry standard courses – normally the City & Guilds – and check on the actual experience and training, and if formally qualified teachers and verifiers work fulltime on the staff.

Next step is to get in touch. Listen to their telephone style. Anybody can attempt to be friendly over the phone, but do they sound knowledgeable and can explain in detail about the course you have in mind? Are they approved by City & Guilds and the major trade body examiners and verifiers, most importantly in electrical ?  Do they offer you the opportunity to visit their centre so they can spend time showing you around?

Highly skilled trades takes experience and expertise over time – and is not achieved in a matter of days or weeks! Be aware that short centre certificate courses are mostly primers, and aimed for DIY or one set skill learning, giving you insight into the requirements to carry out the basic task the course claims to provide. It does not instantly transform you into a fully fledged tradesperson in that field!

Courses should be structured to naturally progress you through the necessary learning levels. A most important question is where exactly will you be training – at their premises or elsewhere? A professional training establishment will offer fully equipped classroom workshops for individual project tuition in each of the separate trades.

If you are serious about entering a trade profession, then the likelihood is that you should already have found out that to begin a career as an electrician, you are required to undertake a series of courses that will take you through a structure of required knowledge learning and skillsets, beginning with the City & Guilds 2330 level 2. The next stage is to aim for is NVQ 2356 level 3 and further opportunities to learn other key skills, including the latest green energy courses.

Find out just comprehensive their courses are, availability and if subscribed? What course teaching aids are available and are you offered flexibility with regards when you can train, how long it will take and are there staggered schedules for some types of courses?

You are bound to have many questions you will need to ask with regards your own specific requirements and once again, focus on how keen the response and desire to genuinely help.

Last month’s news that a plumber had been fined over £ 1250, after he was found guilty of failing to notify his Borough Council about the installation of a gas boiler, suggests the regulations covering Part P  - or responsibility for self-certification – are still being flouted.

Often the reason is eligibility to enrol on the scheme in order to be able to carry out the installation is dependent on possessing fully trained and accredited NVQ plumbing qualifications.

As the revolution in the new green energy technologies continues, it will become even more crucial and a legal requirement for compliancy, that a plumber must be properly trained and qualified in the correct and safe installation of the new technology appliances.

In addition, training to be a plumber sees a new responsibility for providing a genuine, informed energy assessment for an efficiently operating water heating system.

Serious students at the start of their careers, or industry-experienced, can learn the necessary practical skills and knowledge required for the safe and approved installation of latest green technology appliances, such as air or ground source heat pumps (GSHP). Obtaining heat from the ground and converting into energy to heat buildings, is already looking increasingly likely to become the UK’s popular water heating system of choice.

A fully trained and qualified plumber who possess the correct and approved GSHP knowledge will be fully able to connect the heat pump unit to a current heating system.

At AbleSkills, there is an unique opportunity for all plumbing students to undertake training in energy renewables within purpose-built fully equipped plumbing workshops and classrooms for individual pupil training in specific green energy categories. Commencing at entry level on the City & Guilds 6129 Level 2 Certificate, natural career development follows through to NVQ Level 3 and onto specialising in specific knowledge areas such as Unvented Systems.