Category Archives: News & Press Releases

BPEC Director Robin Hall announced as new SNIPEF president

SNIPEF (The Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation) have confirmed that Robin Hall, one of the Directors of BPEC Services Ltd and owner of RD Hall Plumbing and Heating Engineers, has been appointed as their new president. The move was confirmed at SNIPEF’s AGM on Friday 21st May. BPEC CEO, Neil Collishaw says “Robin has been […]

‘Brilliant, helpful and responsive’ – BPEC support for Smart Gas Training

Apprenticeships and EPAs at the Smart Gas Training & Assessment Centre “This has been a real success story in terms of the number of apprentices we have enrolled with the support of BPEC’s Gas Engineering Apprenticeship programme and End-point Assessment services.” Background Based in Ashbourne in Derbyshire, Smart Gas Training provides nationally accredited learning materials […]

BPEC Centre Guidance documents released – Approach to assessment and awarding vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) in 2021

BPEC recognises that there has been disruption to teaching and learning throughout the 2020/21 academic year and therefore supports the arrangements put in place by the Qualification Regulators to outline alternative approaches to assessment and the awarding of qualifications. Despite this, it is important that results released for learners during this academic year are valid […]

Chase your dreams: BPEC celebrates International Women’s Day

One woman’s story of a successful career in construction While many people may think women working in the construction sector is a recent trend, Orienda Hatfield’s story dispels that myth. As Building Services and Engineering Manager at Staffordshire’s largest independent training provider, Orienda manages the gas, plumbing and engineering departments and oversees the delivery of […]

Government guidance on January assessments

Following the Prime Minister’s statement yesterday evening (4 January) and in light of a national lockdown (more information can be found at the address in link 1, below), DfE has confirmed vocational assessments scheduled to take place in January will go ahead as planned. The guidance published (please follow link 2, below) has been updated […]

ACS Certification Update

Assessment Centres and Gas Engineers will be aware that the Gas Safe Register has been allowing six-month extensions to registration for engineers whose ACS certification expired during the pandemic because of the disruption shutdowns and social distancing caused.  Gas Safe Register have published that this facility is due to end on 31st March 2021 which means that assessment […]

The BPEC Brief – latest edition available now!

The BPEC Brief is compiled by The BPEC Charity and aims to keep training centres and FE colleges you up to date with news and policy updates affecting the industry and training sector. The latest edition has been published today (28 August 2020) and includes articles highlighting the challenges brought by Covid-19 and how it […]

Become a BPEC Governing Board Member

BPEC Certification Ltd. (BPEC) are currently 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, […]

Annual surveillance visits

BPEC Certification Ltd is required to undertake an annual surveillance visit at approved assessment centres. This is in order to meet our obligations under ISO/IEC 17024 Following published government advice during the period of restrictions on non-essential travel and meetings, the centre surveillance visits will be conducting by a remote audit process until further notice. […]

Safe to Touch and Safe Electrical Isolation requirements from 1 July 2020

After consultation with the gas industry the ACS Scheme owner Energy & Utility Skills has announced that from July 2020 gas engineers will need to be able to show that they have the knowledge and competence to enable them to follow Safe to Touch and, where appropriate, Electrical Safe Isolation procedures. In articles published by […]

BPEC Bridging Course CMA/CESP/ESP to CCN1 – update

Since its launch in January this year, our Bridging Course – CMA/CESP/ESP to CCN1 has attracted lots of interest and is proving very popular with centres and learners around the UK. The course is aimed at gas engineers who have undertaken CMA/CESP/ESP and are looking to extend their scope to CCN1, and has been developed […]

Gas Safe COVID-19 Advice and Guidance

Gas Safe have published COVID-19 Advice and Guidance on their website – this can be found by following this link. Please be advised that, in this ever changing situation, Gas Safe will be regularly updating, amending and adding information.

OFTEC update – COVID-19

OFTEC have published ‘Coronavirus – information for heating technicians’ on their website. This can be found by following this link. Please also follow this link for advice from OFTEC in relation to extending qualifications during the pandemic.

New BPEC Gas Qualification Launched

We are delighted to announce the launch of our new qualification: BPEC Level 3 Diploma in Gas Engineering. This has been designed for apprentices who are completing the Gas Engineering Operative Apprenticeship Standard ST0155. The qualification is also available to other learners wishing to pursue a gas engineering career within the Building Services Engineering sector. […]

New BPEC Bridging Course – launch date 20 January 2020

We are pleased to announce that on Monday 20 January 2020 we will be launching our new Bridging Course – CMA/CESP/ESP to CCN1. The course is aimed at gas engineers who have undertaken CMA/CESP/ESP and are looking to extend their scope to CCN1, and it will bridge the gap between CMA/CESP/ESP and CCN1 for operatives […]

Routes to Gas Safe Registration (New Entrants)

With the introduction of the New Apprenticeships for the Gas Industry and / or Plumbing and Heating Industry, and the implementation of IGEM/IG/1 – Standards of training in gas work, there has been an increase in the industry approved options available to be recognised as a competent gas engineer and apply for Gas Safe Registration. […]

BPEC Competition: win cash prizes!

THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED Would you like to win £500 for your organisation, or £150 for yourself? All you need to do is create a single, positive, original post, with a link to our new video ‘We’ve got your back’, on any, or all of, the following social media sites: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook. Posts […]

New Head of Finance joins the BPEC Team

We are delighted to announce that Jack Henderson has joined the BPEC Team as Head of Finance and Business Services. Prior to joining BPEC, Jack spent seventeen years as the accountant at St Paul’s Cathedral during which time the cathedral underwent a £40 million, 10 year restoration programme. Previously Jack had worked as a director […]

Management Opportunities at BPEC

Due to continued expansion, we are now recruiting for the following Management Positions: Business Development Manager Full details can be seen at CV Library or Total Jobs Charity Project Manager Full details can be seen on CV Library or Total Jobs Marketing Manager Full details can be seen on CV Library or Total Jobs All […]

PHSP Launch Campaign Promoting New Level 3 Apprenticeship

A New Era for Plumbing and Heating Apprentices The Plumbing Heating Skills Partnership (PHSP) have announced the launch of a campaign which promotes the benefits of the new Level 3 Plumbing & Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship. Set to become the new industry standard, this trailblazing apprenticeship has been specially designed to meet employers’ needs, fill […]

BPEC Chairman George Thomson recognised with Merit Award

BPEC Chairman, George Thomson, has received a SNIPEF Merit Award. The award recognises outstanding contribution to the plumbing industry. George was presented with his award at SNIPEF’s recent AGM. SNIPEF, the Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation, is the principal trade association representing plumbing and heating businesses based in Scotland and Northern Ireland. George, […]