Support Fund

The Support Fund is designed to raise the plumbing skills levels of disadvantaged groups or individuals. The fund can also support worthwhile charitable related projects that use plumbing skills for the benefit of the local community. Grants of up to £2,500 can be offered to people working in the UK Plumbing & Heating Industry.

Activities Supported

      • Apprenticeship training in the plumbing industry (which is outside the current government funding initiatives) for candidates facing real hardship
      • Higher level training and achievement of those training to become qualified plumbers, where candidates are being disadvantaged
      • Assistance in identifying the skills needs of people working in the plumbing industry and those who have recently retired
      • Development of innovative learning materials or teaching methods
      • Plumbing & heating work undertaken for charitable (not-for-profit/non-commercial) organisations
      • Projects that are linked to skills and plumbing work associated with community based organisations or social enterprise initiatives

Previous Projects

Take a look below to find out more about some of the projects we’ve supported in the past.

BPEC Support Fund helps Paul gain NVQ

An adult apprentice who was unable to benefit from the normal apprenticeship funding has been helped to complete his training by the BPEC Support Fund. Twenty-five year old Paul wanted to pursue a career in plumbing from an early age, but at 16 was diagnosed with a serious condition that required him to have brain surgery. Since making a full recovery Paul spent many months trying to secure an apprenticeship and last year was was offered a placement by Preston firm PW Plumbing Services. Having just passed the age bracket for Government apprenticeship funding, his employer was unable to fund the training and Paul was concerned he would not be able to complete his NVQ without help. He applied to the BPEC Support Fund, which was keen for him to become fully qualified. The Fund accepted his application and a grant is now allowing him to undertake his NVQ Diploma with training provider Training 2000.

Life changing transformation aided by Support Fund

BPEC contributed £1569.46 worth of plumbing & heating materials to assist the modernisation of a property featured in the BBC One series ‘DIY SOS: The Big Build’. In June 2012, two weeks after running the Edinburgh Marathon, Richard suffered a devastating Brain Stem Stroke. Richard has since returned home and with the aid of his iPad voice simulator he tells us “All I want is to be a husband and father again”. Substantial refurbishment to the bathroom and central heating system has been carried out, thus creating a life changing transformation for the Ford home in Holmfirth.

Plumber granted £1932.10 to upgrade Youth Club

A self employed plumber has been granted £1932.10 to install a brand new boiler and flue system at Aldbrough Youth Club, Hull. Nicholas Moore attended this youth club as a child. He has re-routed the flue, installed a large low surface temperature radiator and upgraded the pipework to a central heating system.

Currently we are not seeking any further applications for the Support Fund. However if you would like further information please do not hesitate to contact the Charity department: E: charity@bpec.org.uk T: 01332 376000