Author Archives: Carolyn Wojtas

Christmas Message from Neil Collishaw, CEO of BPEC

On behalf of the whole BPEC team, I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all our customers for their continued business throughout the year. During 2023, we focused on promoting our company values. They are as follows: The BPEC Pillars • Partnering with a dependable network, building trustworthy relationships […]

Another FESS first for BPEC

Dan Woods and Dennis Roe

Dan Woods – BPEC Technical Manager presenting Dennis Roe of Complete Security Solutions with the first FESS EWA Security Pathway Certificate. A fortnight after the initial Fire Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) for Fire Systems, BPEC has seen another first!  Dennis Roe, a seasoned Security System installer who owns Complete Security […]

BPEC wins top award for Fire and Security Experienced Worker Assessment Programme

Fire & Security Award

Photo shows BPEC’s CEO, Neil Collishaw and Dan Woods, Technical Manager receiving the award from the host, comedian Rob Beckett, at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel We’re thrilled to share some fantastic news: BPEC has scooped the prestigious IFSEC and FIREX supported Security and Fire Excellence ‘Security or Fire Solution of the Year’ award! This is […]

St Helens College launches Green Energy Skills Centre

Green Energy Skills Centre

BPEC Centre, St Helens College has launched a new £500k Green Energy Skills Centre, focusing on training industry professionals and heating engineers in green energy technology. The new BPEC Centre, which provides a range of plumbing and heating courses, benefited from an investment from the Department for Education as part of the Strategic Development Fund (SDF). The […]

BPEC Fire Emergency and Security Systems Experienced Worker Assessment 

For over three decades, BPEC has diligently evaluated, advanced, and certified the expertise of thousands of individuals within the building services engineering (BSE) sector.  Matt Skelding, Head of Operations and Development said “Our accomplishments within BSE have consistently set significant benchmarks, a testament to which was the invitation to apply to deliver the end-point assessment […]

Smart Gas Training & Assessment hosts BPEC Visit

BPEC’s CEO, Neil Collishaw and Business Development Manager, Angela Gask recently visited Smart Gas Training & Assessment at its busy training facility near Ashbourne in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside. Neil and Angela were given a tour of the centre by Adam Kolaszynski, Operations & Compliance Manager and Matthew Mellor, Trainer/Assessor, visiting best-in-class training facilities and […]

SkillPLUMB UK Champion wins Bronze Medal at EuroSkills event

Our 2022 SkillPLUMB UK Champion, Ruben Duggan, triumphed at Europe’s largest skills competition, EuroSkills in Gdańsk earlier in the month by becoming Bronze Medallist for Plumbing and Heating. Ruben, aged 21, from Blackwood in South Wales, who works for Powerserv Ltd and studied at Coleg Y Cymoedd, was selected to join Team UK, an elite […]

Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship (ST1020)

On 09 August 2023, the Low-Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship (ST1020) was approved for delivery. The development, led by MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) in collaboration with IfATE, and leading heat pump employers, aims to train technicians for the transition to renewable heating systems.  To commemorate King Charles III’s Coronation, the apprenticeship was chosen as one of six green […]

Installers can now receive certified heat pump training anywhere in Scotland

BPEC certified mobile heat pump training facility to provide heat pump training local to where installers are based A new BPEC certified approved mobile training and assessment facility, hosted by South Lanarkshire College is now available to colleges across Scotland to provide heat pump training to heating installers, with a particular focus on rural and remote […]

Become a BPEC Governing Board Member

BPEC Certification Ltd. (BPEC) is looking for new members to join our Governing Board (GB). The GB plays an important role within BPEC to ensure all activities are carried out with integrity, impartiality and competently at all levels. The GB is responsible for ensuring robust standards are being maintained in the interest of learners, candidates, […]

Smart Gas Training & Assessment wins Apprenticeship Provider of the Year 2023

Congratulations go to BPEC centre, Smart Gas Training & Assessment for winning Apprenticeship Provider of the Year at the Education Awards 2023. Smart Gas Director, Patrick O’Sullivan said, “Since gaining BPEC approval in 2017, we have gone on to flourish and deliver a wide range of courses including the Level 3 Gas Engineering Apprenticeship. Working closely with BPEC, we’ve […]

Who needs university when apprenticeships are better? WCoP annual lecture

BPEC’s CEO, Neil Collishaw was one of the keynote speakers at this week’s Worshipful Company of Plumbers 38th Annual Lecture which had the crucial theme of “Who needs university when apprenticeships are better?” This event was extremely successful with 130 delegates, including key industry leaders from across the country, Robin Walker MP, chair of the Commons […]

Eastleigh College chooses BPEC for Gas Engineering & Plumbing End-point Assessments

To celebrate choosing BPEC for its Gas Engineering and Plumbing End-point Assessments going forwards, Eastleigh College hosted a visit by BPEC’s CEO, Neil Collishaw and BPEC’s SkillPLUMB Technical Lead, Paul Dodds, MBE this week. Eastleigh College, a BPEC Approved Centre for gas engineering and plumbing and heating training and assessments, has enjoyed an excellent working partnership with BPEC over […]

Water Regulations (England and Wales) and Water Byelaws (Scotland and NI)

Course update to changes applied by the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme – Approved Contractor Training and Assessment. Water Regulations & Byelaws The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999The Water Supply (Water Fittings) (Scotland) Byelaws 2014The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 Water Regulations and Byelaws in the UK have been a fact of […]

We’re recruiting for a Technical Manager

BPEC is looking for an exceptional person to join us as a Technical Manager.  The role is either based in our attractive and modern offices or home/field based with occasional attendance at BPEC’s Head Office in Derby (DE24). If appointed, you’ll work across the development and operations teams. The position will be diverse; playing a key role […]

Government announces new heat pump training grant

The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero has launched a new Heat Pump Training Grant to propel the move to cleaner energy usage in homes. Over the next two years a total of £5 million will be available to support 10,000 plumbing and heating engineers in England upskill to become accredited to install heat […]

BPEC CEO to be Keynote Speaker at WCoP Annual Lecture

BPEC’s CEO, Neil Collishaw will be a keynote speaker at the highly anticipated Worshipful Company of Plumbers’ Annual Lecture on Monday 15 May at the Royal College of Physicians, Regent’s Park, London. Each year the Worshipful Company of Plumbers’ lecture is held to inform and inspire attendees from across the plumbing and heating industry, with […]

BPEC Awarding Organisation Approach to Awarding in 2022-23

Reminder Adaptations are no longer permitted In the 2021-22 academic year, several adaptations were in place to support the continuation of training and assessment in response to public health restrictions for BPEC registered learners expecting to take assessments during this period. In preparation for the 2022-23 academic year Ofqual announced for vocational and technical qualifications […]

Your guide to the End-point Assessment in security and fire

A BPEC overview of the End-point Assessment that apprentices must pass to become fully qualified for the Fire, Emergency & Security Systems (FESS) Apprenticeship Standard. The Fire, Emergency & Security Systems (FESS) Apprenticeship Standard was introduced in 2017 as part of wide-ranging Government reforms to apprentice training and assessment. Whilst apprenticeships are generally well-understood, the ‘End-point Assessment’ […]

BPEC CEO visits Ideal’s new National Training and Technology Centre

Photo shows (L to R) Mally Butters, BPEC’s Business Area Manager, Andrew Johnson, Ideal Heating’s Training Director, Neil Collishaw, BPEC’s CEO, Matt Skelding, BPEC’s Head of Operations & Development, and Matthew Brookes, Ideal Heating’s Training Manager Ideal Heating welcomed CEO of BPEC, Neil Collishaw, to its new National Training and Technology Centre on January 31st. […]

Updated Domestic Ventilation material

BPEC has updated its Domestic Ventilation material to reflect the changes to Approved Document F and, where applicable, Building Standards Technical Handbook 2020 – Ventilation for Scotland. The course material is designed to meet the requirements of the manufacturers for the installation, inspection, testing, commissioning, and provision of information for fixed Domestic Ventilation Systems for […]

Prior Notice: Water Regulations (England and Wales) and Water Byelaws (Scotland and NI)

We’re working on updating the above training courses. The industry has agreed upon a new set of Learning Outcomes which will come into effect on 1st April 2023. BPEC intends to have a combined course that will be approved by WIAPS/TAPS/APLUS/Watermark/Scottish Water/NI Water (submission/approval pending). How this affects centres: Centres will be notified as soon […]

Domestic Gas Foundation Managed Learner Programme (DGF MLP)

Update from the BPEC Services team (Training Courses and Learning Materials): Following extensive consultation, the requirements for the DGF MLP (training requirements for new entrants to the gas industry-domestic gas) has been updated by EU Skills. The new requirements took effect on 1/9/22 and are stipulated in IGEM/IG/1 and IGEM/IG/1 Supplement 2. As a result, […]

Connor Cruden wins Medal of Excellence

Connor Cruden, from Cowie Plumbing and Heating, was awarded the Medallion for Excellence at this year’s WorldSkills plumbing contest after a two-year wait to take part in the global showcase. Connor won his place in the international contest when he was an apprentice and became the SkillPLUMB champion in 2019. After a tightly fought contest, […]