Category Archives: News & Press Releases

Common sense prevails with Post-16 reforms and the delay in defunding of level 2 and 3 qualifications.

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 […]

From Adversity to Opportunity: How Training in Plumbing and Heating Transforms Lives

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 […]

BPEC Year in Review out now

The BPEC Charity has published its annual Year in Review to profile its wide-ranging and significant work to support plumbing and heating skills development over the last 12 months.  BPEC continually invests in projects focused on raising standards, supporting the training and development of plumbing operatives and encouraging leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation. The charity is self-sustaining and […]

The BPEC Spotlight – out now

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, […]

Student Engagement Trial – Can you help?

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 […]

SkillPLUMB 2026 – now open for entries!   

Talented student plumbers are being encouraged to enter this year’s SkillPLUMB competition. The registration window is open now and runs until 27 March.   During the competition, entrants will be judged on a series of challenging practical tests in a bid to be named the 2026 SkillPLUMB champion. The event is the only industry competition aligned […]

National Apprenticeship Week 2026: 9 – 15 FEBRUARY

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 […]

Why BPEC remains the natural home for industry qualifications

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 […]

BPEC Charity Supports Two Overseas Water & Sanitation Projects for 2025

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 […]

Safeguarding Standards in Construction Apprenticeships – Neil Collishaw, CEO

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 […]

Dillon Newton named SkillPLUMB UK Champion

The SkillPLUMB 2025 UK Champion and gold medal winner has been named as Dillon Newton of the Cornwall College Group.  The silver medal was awarded to Jackson Gill of New College Durham and CGE Yorkshire Ltd; while bronze medal went to Jack Fenton of Belfast Metropolitan College and Ian Reid Heating.  Across two and a […]

A Christmas message from Neil Collishaw – CEO

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 […]

BPEC Brief – Autumn Update Now Live

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 […]

First Apprentices Complete Assessments at BPEC’s New FESS Centre

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 […]

BPEC Invests £15,000 to Modernise Scotland’s Plumbing and Heating Apprenticeship

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 Extends Support for Lighthouse Charity

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 Twins its Toilets to Help Tackle Global Sanitation Crisis

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 […]

SkillPLUMB 2025 UK Finalists Named

The eight student plumbers who scored most highly across the SkillPLUMB 2025 national qualifying heats have been named:  Top row L-R: Bottom row L-R: All have now been invited to go head-to-head across the week of 24th November at Bridgend College for the SkillPLUMB 2025 UK Final. In total around 50 WorldSkills UK National Finals […]

BPEC Supports Warriors of Warmth: Charity in Action

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. […]

Raymond Leslie Retires as BPEC Services Director

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 […]

DFE News – Construction Technical Excellence Colleges

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 […]

BPEC opens new FESS End-point Assessment facility in Derby

A new BPEC End-point Assessment (EPA) facility for Fire, Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) apprenticeships has been officially opened at BPEC’s headquarters in Derby, marking a major milestone in the continued expansion of the FESS apprenticeship programme across the UK. The FESS Assessment Bays were formally opened by Neil Collishaw, CEO of BPEC, and Trevor Jenks, National […]

SGN opens UK’s first hydrogen training centre in Fife

Fife College

SGN, in partnership with Fife College, has opened the UK’s first dedicated hydrogen training centre for gas engineers at the college’s Levenmouth Campus. The facility will train over 100 Gas Safe engineers this year to support the H100 Fife green hydrogen trial, helping to safely convert homes from natural gas to hydrogen. Training will be […]

BPEC Spotlight eNews – Spring 2025

We’re pleased to share the latest edition of Spotlight, your go-to source for industry updates from BPEC. In this issue, you’ll find the most recent company news, key insights, and important developments from across the sector. We’re also excited to reveal some new company developments with changes to our senior management team, the BPEC Charity’s year […]