The Worshipful Company of Plumbers (WCoP) has announced six recipients of its bursary to help kick-start their careers in the plumbing industry.
The winners are from colleges across the country, including Dundee and Angus Kingsway College, Borders College, St Helens Green Energy Centre, Windsor Forest - Langley Campus, South Lanarkshire College, and Kendal College.
Each winner will receive £1,000 in vouchers for tools and equipment from Monument Tools, designer, manufacturer and marketer of professional grade tools for the industry.
The tools and equipment Bursary scheme, which is sponsored by Monument Tools and City & Guilds, has been running for over 20 years. It is specifically designed to help plumbing students that would benefit from financial assistance to support those who are working towards a recognised plumbing qualification across the UK.
To be considered for a financial award, students are required to include a reference from their lecturer or employer. Professional bodies, such as the Chartered Institute for Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), are also encouraged to support students that meet the criteria and would therefore merit consideration as a possible recipient of a Bursary.
David Adams, Master of the WCoP, said: “Every year, World Plumbing Day recognises the important role plumbing plays in the health, safety, and sustainability of our communities. So, it is an apt day for us to announce our bursary winners.
“While the heating and plumbing industry is an excellent choice of career, we know that it requires upfront investment in terms of equipment and tools. Through our bursary scheme, we support those first few but crucial steps in their journey to becoming a qualified plumber or heating engineer. The awards are inclusive and we welcome applications from all those who are working hard towards becoming professional plumbers.
“The Bursary scheme has gone from strength to strength in recent years and we annually award up to six young people that we feel would benefit from financial support.”
Kevin Wellman, chief executive officer at the CIPHE and on the judging panel of the bursaries, added: “This bursary scheme is a wonderful system put in place by The Worshipful Company of Plumbers and Monument Tools. As we all know, plumbers play a vital role in looking after and protecting the public. Therefore, it is critical that the industry supports upcoming talent as they progress through their careers.
“The plumbing and heating industry plays an essential role in the smooth running, and safety, of our society and here at the CIPHE, we will always do everything we can to encourage young people to join this fabulous sector. It was inspiring to learn about the passion coming through the ranks during this year’s judging process and I look forward to seeing where their careers take them.”
The WCoP was founded to encourage excellence in plumbing. Its bursaries and awards support the industry to achieve the highest standards through education and technical development. The Company and CIPHE have collaborated on a number of initiatives to support young installers including the Plumbing Professionals Development Scheme.
As part of this drive for competence, the CIPHE is running an 'Education Survey' with stakeholders including employers, colleges/training centres, and awarding bodies. Specifically, it is looking to garner feedback on its Level 3 Apprenticeship Plumbing & Domestic Heating Technician.
To participate in the survey, click here.