It was a busy week in the capital for BPEC, with two visits to London bringing the spotlight firmly onto the future of the building services engineering workforce, and the apprentices who will shape it. Westminster: plugging the skills gap – Monday 08 June 2026 The week began at the House of Commons, where BPEC’s […]
BPEC’s Senior Leadership Team recently met at Chesterfield College, with the College hosting the session within its well-equipped training facilities and providing a warm welcome to the team. The visit offered an opportunity to see first-hand the quality of the learning environment and the delivery taking place across the College’s provision. From modern workshop spaces […]
The Department for Education’s decision to delay the defunding of certain qualifications until the 2026–27 academic year at the earliest is a welcome and pragmatic step. Technical qualifications have long played an important role in developing practical skills and supporting progression into apprenticeships, further study and skilled employment. In sectors such as engineering, construction and […]
A meeting on World Plumbing Day between Neil Collishaw, Chief Executive of BPEC, and Louchavan Lemard, Director of PH247, highlighted the powerful role the plumbing and heating profession can play in changing lives. The two had connected on social media before meeting in person during Louchavan’s visit to the Midlands, quickly recognising shared values around […]
We’re pleased to share the Spring 2026 edition of Spotlight, your go-to source for industry updates from BPEC. In this issue, you’ll find the latest company news, key insights and important developments from across the sector. We get to know Kev Clark from our senior leadership team, take a look at the BPEC Charity’s activities, […]
On behalf of Capita and the Health and Safety Executive, Talan are delivering a student engagement trial designed to support learners as they progress toward joining the Gas Safe Register. The aim of this trial is to strengthen learners’ understanding of gas safety standards, improve visibility of the Gas Safe Register, and support trainees to […]
A week-long celebration that brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy. Kev Clark, BPEC’s Head of Technical Operations gives an insight into why he believes apprenticeships matter. From Apprentice to Shaping the Future of the Trade […]
The vocational training and qualifications landscape is changing fast. Ownership structures, commercial priorities and governance models are increasingly under scrutiny, particularly following the recent acquisition of a large awarding organisation, that recently left hundreds of people facing uncertainty over their roles during the Christmas period. At moments like this, how organisations are structured, and who […]
The BPEC Charity has provided one-off donations to two overseas initiatives delivering vital improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene across Africa. Each organisation has received £1,500 to support practical, on-the-ground work that aligns with our long-standing commitment to public health and plumbing education. These two programmes stood out for the direct, tangible impact they make […]
The construction and building services sectors are facing an unprecedented challenge. We need more skilled people entering our industry, and we need them quickly. But that urgency must never come at the expense of competence, safety or quality. Recent discussions around reforming England’s apprenticeship system have created understandable concern across the sector. Employers, training providers […]
On behalf of the whole BPEC team, I’d like to thank all our customers and partners for their continued support throughout the year. 2025 has been another year of progress for BPEC. We’ve strengthened our position as a trusted partner in skills, training, and assessment across the Building Services Engineering sector, while remaining true to […]
Here’s a reminder that the latest edition of the BPEC Brief is now available. For anyone unfamiliar, the BPEC Brief is our industry round-up created by the BPEC Charity. We do the research and the collation, so you don’t have to. It’s designed to save our readers time while keeping them informed about what actually […]
On 6 October 2025, apprentices on the Fire, Emergency & Security Systems (FESS) standard began their End-Point Assessment at BPEC’s new purpose-built facility in Derby, a significant step forward in making high-quality EPA more accessible across the Midlands. The centre’s location offers a real advantage for employers and training providers both north and south of […]
Funding to support new National Occupational Standards, the Scottish apprenticeship framework, and a new assessment strategy. BPEC is proud to be supporting training and skills development across the UK plumbing and heating profession, by investing £15,000 to support the recently completed revision of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for plumbing and heating, and to help […]
BPEC has announced it will continue its corporate support for the Lighthouse Charity for a further year, reinforcing its commitment to the emotional, physical and financial wellbeing of construction workers and their families. The Lighthouse Charity, established almost 70 years ago, is widely respected across the construction sector for the breadth and impact of its […]
BPEC is proud to announce its support for Toilet Twinning, an initiative run by Tearfund that helps transform lives by funding safe toilets, clean water and hygiene education in some of the world’s poorest communities. Following a proposal from Mark Antrobus and with unanimous support from the other BPEC Charity trustees, all toilets at our […]
BPEC is proud to congratulate two of its approved centres – Wigan & Leigh College and Leeds College of Building – on being named among the first ten Construction Technical Excellence Colleges in England. This prestigious recognition is part of a £100 million government drive to boost construction skills and strengthen the future workforce. Both […]
On Saturday 12 July, BPEC proudly supported Warriors of Warmth a Nottingham-based initiative tackling fuel poverty by providing free plumbing and heating services to those in need. Warriors of Warmth, founded by heating engineer Jonathon Hallam, brings together volunteer engineers and apprentices to carry out vital repairs and installations for charities, shelters, and community spaces. […]
BPEC marked the retirement of long-serving Board member Raymond Leslie on 18 June, as he stepped down from his position as Director for BPEC Services. The presentation took place during his final Board Meeting, held at the SNIPEF offices in Edinburgh, where he was presented with a gift by Duncan Wilson in recognition of his […]
The Department for Education has launched its Construction Technical Excellence Colleges initiative, and we believe many of our centres are well placed to apply. This is a major opportunity to lead the way in technical education for construction and building services. The government is selecting up to ten Further Education colleges in England to become […]