City and Guilds have, this month, announced that the new QCF 2357 qualification, which was due to be phased in to replace NVQ 2330 from September 2010, is delayed until 2011. This means that all those who are currently thinking about taking the City & Guilds Electrical NVQ 2330 course can continue to do so.When […]
Last month, the newly elected Coalition Government reaffirmed that the urgent need to develop a low-carbon economy will remain a key issue in the years ahead, including the target to reduce central government carbon emissions by 10% within next 12 months and supporting an increase in the EU emission reduction target to 30% by 2020.The […]
Waterwise, the UK’s leading independent organisation on water efficiency and sustainable development, has just published its own White Paper, setting out proposals for the coalition government to help meet the challenges of climate change through wasting less water.Within the document, the important issues affecting the plumbing industry and all those who are now thinking of […]
Recent encouraging employment figures show that Britain is managing to hold the fragile recovery from recession. Coalition Government Budget concessions to private enterprise, although modest, are designed to help business start ups and SMEs to move forward, despite of cutbacks in other sectors.The prospects for those workers currently looking to move out of their current […]
From December 2010 the existing 6217 qualifications will be phased out and replaced with the new 6218 qualification.The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is the new government framework which sets out how all regulated vocational qualifications are structured, titled and quality assured.It is replacing the existing National Qualifications Framework across England, Wales and Northern Ireland […]
As the UK slowly climbs out of recession, yet facing a long period ahead of austerity cut backs, there is almost certainly a knock on effect to be felt across many industries and workplaces. Traditionally, those working in the utilities, such as electrical, plumbing and gas are often viewed as being immune to much of […]
Sometimes the thought of starting a new career can appear very daunting indeed! There’s always much to learn – and in the construction trade industry – practical skills to master too! Many trades have been transformed by new materials and technologies, making the work now involved much more simpler, streamlined and thus, you can accomplish […]
Recently the media has been focusing on an increasing number of ex-armed services personnel and their struggle to reintegrate into normal civilian life, even after many months, or even years have elapsed since leaving active duty. The problem has been highlighted because of the UK’s still fragile recovery from recession and the current severe government […]
Following the recent coalition Government budget announcement that they plan to create a green investment bank, and intention to bring forward private investment in clean energy and green technologies, many commentators are predicting that the green industry could be a major driving force in the UK’s economic recovery.The introduction of renewable technologies like PV Solar […]
Construction trade skills, like plumbing, always tend to come top of surveys for traditional careers with long term, solid prospects. As Britain continues to climb out of recent recession, and faced with economic cost cutting ahead, many are taking opportunity to reconsider their career prospects or have been forced to do so as a result […]
It’s barbecue season again – and currently, the hot weather is holding up long enough to be reason enough for getting in the charcoal briquettes. Of course, it can also mean a chance for the DIY handyman to have a go at building his own brick barbecue, which is great for using when family and […]
Dire warnings have been issued by organisations like the Federation of Master Builders, predicting that the coalition Government’s budget raise of VAT to 20 per cent will mean an increase in cowboy tradesman willing to work for ‘cash in hand’.No doubt many houseowners or small businesses cutting back on expenditure will be tempted, despite knowing […]
