WPC elects new Board Chairman

The World Plumbing Council (WPC) is pleased to announce that Shayne La Combre, CEO of Australia’s Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) and Deputy Chair of the WPC, has been elected unopposed to Chair of the WPC for the 2016 – 2019 term. The confirmation took place at the recent WPC Triennial Conference held in Cape Town, South Africa. The 11th Triennial Conference saw plumbing delegates from around the world gather to tackle key issues affecting the industry and the health and well-being of the international community.

This decision cements the important role that Mr. La Combre has played within the WPC and emphasises the role that Australia will play in the future of the WPC in achieving the organisation’s objective of developing and promoting the image and standards of the plumbing Industry worldwide. For the next three years, the WPC will dedicate its efforts to further lifting standards of plumbing and improving access to fresh drinking water and sanitation globally.

The Council places a strong emphasis on the importance of education and training in reaching these key objectives. As CEO of PICAC, one of the world’s most preeminent Plumbing Training Centres, Mr La Combre is perfectly positioned to drive this strategy in the years to come. PICAC is a global reference point and industry hub, and was recognised as National Small Training Provider of the Year in 2015 by the Australian Training Awards.

Supported Projects

The WPC will continue to support vital projects around the world to promote education and training within the industry. PICAC was heavily involved in the Community Plumbing Challenge, a joint initiative between the WPC, IAPMO and WorldSkills, for both 2015 and 2016 – with a plan to further increase support and participation in the coming years. In this term, the WPC will use such projects to advance key messages, such as the importance of access to sanitation and clean drinking water, the dangers of asbestos and the disastrous effects of lead contamination in plumbing systems for the health and well-being of our communities.

New Initiatives

Under the leadership of the Executive Board, the WPC will take on a range of new initiatives and objectives, with key portfolios being managed by the Board members around the world. The first of many strategic planning and program development sessions will occur in December this year, at the Executive Board Strategic Planning Meeting to be held in Hong Kong.

Mr La Combre’s History

Since first being elected to the Board for the WPC in 2011, Mr La Combre has dedicated his efforts to promoting the message of the WPC. An example of this has been demonstrated through PICAC, by holding the largest World Plumbing Day (WPD) event in Australia every year. WPD is a key initiative of the WPC and highlights the important role plumbing plays in the health, safety and sustainability of our community. The 2016 event held at PICAC saw over 450 industry representatives in attendance and the plans for 2017 will see the biggest event yet, to be held at multiple PICAC campuses.

This current term will culminate in 2019, when Melbourne will be host to the 12th Triennial WPC Conference, which will run over 3 days at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. After working tirelessly to secure and coordinate the event, the newly appointed Chair promises that the 2019 Conference will be a truly significant gathering of the plumbing community. With what is already shaping up to be one of the most impressive schedules to date, the Melbourne Conference will no doubt be a testament to the dedication and efforts this Executive Board has shown to furthering the WPC and its causes.

In accepting his appointment, Mr La Combre said “I am honoured to accept the role as Chair of the World Plumbing Council and look forward to working with the newly appointed Executive Board to further promote and enhance the efforts of the WPC. As an international organisation we have the ability to encourage and facilitate the sharing of information and best practice from around the world. I believe the global plumbing community has an important role to play when it comes to education and innovation within the plumbing industry and I am excited to be able to represent Australia in this capacity and make a real difference to the industry globally.”