Latest News

The SkillPLUMB 2023 UK Champion and gold medal winner has been named as 20 year old Adam Biddulph after a challenging 2-day event at Oldham College.  Adam, who is employed by Cheshire firm Meel Group and trains with Stockport College (part of the Trafford College Group) scored most highly in a complex task that involved […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

Photo shows SNIPEF President, Jim Butler and the Civic Reception

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Talented student plumbers are being encouraged to enter this year’s SkillPLUMB competition. The registration window is open now and runs until 24th March. During the competition, entrants will be judged on a series of challenging practical tests in a bid to be named the 2023 SkillPLUMB champion. The event is the only industry competition aligned […]

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 […]

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 […]

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’ […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, 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, […]

While 2022 saw the 30th anniversary, the BPEC team worked through the year to define how the organisation will operate on the next stage of our journey. Neil Collishaw, BPEC’s CEO said “With a clear focus on customers and quality, our new Pillars, Vision and Mission are all statements of intention, that we will deliver against […]

Since being established in 2016, Smart Gas Training & Assessment Centre in Ashbourne has grown to be one of the leading training providers in the East Midlands, delivering the Level 3 Gas Engineering Apprenticeship to train the next generation of plumbing & heating professionals. The Training Centre was subject to an Ofsted inspection towards the end of 2022, […]

Ruben Duggan won the Gold Medal and was named SkillPLUMB 2022 champion at the recent two-day WorldSkills UK final at Middlesborough College. Employed by Powerserv Ltd and trained by Coleg y Cymoedd, Ruben can be seen in the photograph, second from the right, with the other finalists and Nic Drew of main sponsor Monument Tools (centre). […]

SkillPLUMB is proud to support the WorldSkills UK Finals of the Plumbing & Heating Special Edition competition taking place at Middlesborough College from 16-18 November, one of seven venues to host the WorldSkills UK National Finals. The country’s top students and apprentices will go for gold at different venues during the week commencing Monday 14 […]

The BPEC Awarding Organisation is recruiting External Quality Assurers in the Plumbing, Renewable Fuels and Gas sectors to monitor the quality of assessments delivered by our Centres, to ensure BPEC qualifications are delivered in-line with regulatory requirements. BPEC Awarding Organisation – External Quality Assurer (EQA) Job Description Although EQA experience is not necessary, you must […]

Connor Cruden, who in 2020 completed his four-year plumbing apprenticeship having come top in 2019 at the SkillPLUMB UK finals to find the country’s most accomplished apprentice plumber, is now preparing to take on the world’s elite at the WorldSkills Plumbing finals due to be held in the Black Forest town of Lahr, Germany, between […]

The drive for renewable energy and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels is, now more than ever, at the forefront of the UK Government’s ‘Net Zero Strategy’. With the increase in renewable energy comes the need for training and qualifications to ensure we have a workforce with the ‘green skills’ to install zero and low carbon […]

Beware of training providers that offer short cuts to becoming a gas engineer without giving learners the proper work experience or time needed to gain vital skills and knowledge, says BPEC.  There are two primary training routes for new entrants looking to become a gas engineer: the Gas Engineering Apprenticeship or the Gas Managed Learning […]

We’ve developed a new video to share the benefits of choosing BPEC as your End-point Assessment Organisation. This video explains how BPEC provides a quality, robust and cost-effective solution by working closely with many of the UK’s leading employers, colleges, and other industry stakeholders, assessing the knowledge, skills and behaviours acquired by apprentices – plus […]

BPEC has been proud to support the launch of new and comprehensive advice on the correct routes to becoming a qualified plumbing and heating engineer.  Available on the Plumbing & Heating Skills Partnership (PHSP) website and aimed at both school leavers and career changers, the guidance maps out straightforward messages on what qualifications and training […]

Achieve Training – ‘Giving apprentices more’ – from Domestic Gas Foundation MLPs to delivering End-point Assessments (EPAs) Background Based in Stoke-on-Trent, Achieve Training is the award-winning training arm of social housing group Aspire Housing. A social enterprise, Achieve Training supports adults into employment, creates practical apprenticeships, and helps businesses to upskill their workforce. Achieve Training […]

We’re delighted to announce the launch of the EESS course developed in collaboration with MCS. It is specifically aimed at existing practicing electricians, electrical technicians, and engineers with experience of electrical installations and associated inspection and testing, giving them the necessary training to upskill to install Electrical Energy Storage Systems. EESS installations can be carried out only by competent, qualified […]

A record number of entrants have taken part in the 2022 qualifying heats of SkillPLUMB, the industry’s prestigious plumbing skills competition aligned to WorldSkills UK.   After a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event is back for this year and has so far held an impressive programme of seven heats that took place […]

Photo shows (from L to R) Neil Collishaw, BPEC CEO, David Lloyd, Burnley College Head of Division, Stephen Dobney, Burnley College Curriculum Manager, and Kevin Clark, BPEC Business Area Manager, Awarding & EPAO BPEC’s Chief Executive Officer, Neil Collishaw and Business Area Manager, Kevin Clark heard of some exciting new developments and plans for the Building Services Engineering (BSE) […]

Photo shows (L to R) Matt Stonehouse, Owner & Director, Elements Training and Neil Collishaw, CEO, BPEC The latest stop of BPEC’s customer service tour saw Chief Executive Officer, Neil Collishaw and Business Development Manager, Angela Gask visit Elements Training & Assessment, a leading private training provider in Stourbridge. Elements has been a loyal and trusted […]

BPEC is proud to announce the first experienced worker in the UK has successfully completed the FESS Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA). Sam Manton who works for Spire Security Ltd., a London based company, attended Banham Academy’s Assessment Centre in Derby, where he undertook the practical assessment, professional discussion, and knowledge assessment. Sam’s assessment took place […]

“A key benefit of working with BPEC is the ongoing support, advice and guidance they provide in terms of getting the apprentices ready for EPA. They offer non-mandatory products that fit seamlessly into our gas engineering apprenticeship standard programme. The BPEC roadmap for EPAs is easy to follow for providers, apprentices and employers.”

The eight student plumbers who will be taking part in the SkillPLUMB UK final after excelling at the national qualifying heats have been named:   Top row L-R Bottom row L-R  All will now go head-to-head on 15-16th November at Oldham College as part of the WorldSkills UK National Finals, where 50 competitions will take place […]