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SkillPLUMB crowns best in Wales
20 May 2013

20 year-old Owain Powell from GVJ Plumbing and Heating in Ceredigion has been named best young plumber in Wales, following the SkillPLUMB Wales national final at Deeside College on 14 May. Owain, studying at Coleg Sir Gar, went up against 10 other competitors in a task to install a small central heating system.

Best in Wales: Welsh SkillELECTRIC winner crowned
20 May 2013

30 year-old James Akehurst from Celtic Developments in Powys has been named best trainee electrician in Wales, following the SkillELECTRIC Wales national final at Deeside College on 14 May. James, an apprentice at Yale College Wrexham, went up against nine other competitors in a task to install conduit and trunking with three electrical circuits.

Michael is best young plumber in North
01 May 2013

The 2013 SkillPLUMB competition has named 22-year old Michael Yuile as the North’s best young plumber following a challenging one-day event at Burnley College. Michael, an apprentice with Cheshire Building Contractors and studying at Warrington College, came out on top after six competitors went head-to-head on a plumbing task to install a small central heating system.

Ross excels at SkillPIPE
01 May 2013

The 2013 SkillPIPE competition has named 19-year-old Ross Parkin as the winner of its first UK semi-final following a challenging one-day event at Burnley College on 30 April. Ross, an apprentice with NG Bailey Engineering and studying at Hartlepool College, came out on top after going head-to-head on 30 April on two practical tasks – installing and pressure testing a pump set, and a difficult welding task.

Scott plays it cool at SkillFRIDGE
01 May 2013

The 2013 SkillFRIDGE competition has named 19-year-old Scott Wearing as the winner of its first UK semi-final following a challenging one-day event at Burnley College on 30 April. Scott, employed by Trane UK and studying with North Glasgow College and BEST, came out on top after going head-to-head on two practical assessments involving electrical wiring for controls and a brazing task.

Josh is best young electrician in North
01 May 2013

The 2013 SkillELECTRIC competition has named 22-year-old Josh Derry as the North’s best young electrician following a challenging one-day event at Burnley College on 30 April. Josh, an apprentice with Shepherd Engineering Services and studying at Leeds College of Building, came out on top after 12 competitors went head-to-head in a task on 30 April  to install conduit and trunking with three electrical circuits.

Awards for Excellence 2013 - nominations now open
29 Apr 2013

The search is on for the building services engineering sector’s most talented people, as nominations are now invited for the 2013 SummitSkills Awards for Excellence. Organised by the sector skills council for building services engineering, these awards recognise the very best talent amongst the UK sector’s technical and professional operatives and engineers.

New name for SSC Alliance reflects changing skills landscape
19 Apr 2013

Responding effectively to the UK’s future skills challenges will require flexibility and adaptability of the kind shown by the Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards as it changes its name from the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils, SummitSkills said today.

DECC voucher scheme will be welcomed by heating installers
10 Apr 2013

Heating installers will welcome the Government’s announcement of a new voucher scheme to reduce the cost of training in renewable heating, SummitSkills said in reaction to the latest DECC announcement.
 

Do not forget SMEs and microbusinesses, cautions SummitSkills, as Government responds to Richard Review
20 Mar 2013

Big employers will welcome the recommendations of the Richard Review of Apprenticeships – but the Government must not forget the needs of employers of SMEs and micro-businesses, SummitSkills cautioned today.

SummitSkills supports National Apprenticeship Week
11 Mar 2013

SummitSkills is joining hundreds of organisations in celebrating the positive impact that apprenticeships have on individuals, business and the economy during the sixth annual National Apprenticeship Week from 11-15 March.

Last chance for engineering technicians to have their say
26 Feb 2013

There is still time for engineering technicians to participate in an important research project about careers, progression and development opportunities after the Engineering Council and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation extended their deadline to 10 March. The extended deadline now allows extra time for people who have taken, or are taking, a vocational rather than an academic route into engineering to take part. 

Green Skills Alliance helps Birmingham SMEs prepare for Green Deal
26 Feb 2013

The Green Skills Alliance (GSA) is running free events across the UK to help small and medium enterprises understand the business opportunities that exist in Green Deal and make sure they have the skills and qualifications to take advantage.

Lightmongers’ Masters Award for SummitSkills development manager
20 Feb 2013

SummitSkills’ development manager Trevor Hill has been awarded a Master’s Certificate by The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers for his years of service to the electrotechnical industry. Trevor received his award from Sheriff of the City of London Nigel Pullman at a presentation at the Tallow Chandlers’ Hall on Tuesday 5th February.

Engineering Technicians – an opportunity to make a difference
12 Feb 2013

The Engineering Council and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation are seeking participants for important research into careers, progression and development opportunities for people who have taken, or are taking, a vocational rather than an academic route into engineering.

Richard Review 'a useful reminder of real apprenticeships'
12 Dec 2012

The Richard Review has been welcomed as a useful reminder of what makes a real apprenticeship by SummitSkills, the sector skills council for building services engineering. Responding to Doug Richard’s recently published recommendations, chief executive of SummitSkills Keith Marshall OBE said: “We have long argued for a tightening up of the definition of ‘apprenticeship’ to describe a person learning a new job and not just an existing worker upgrading their skills."

Awards for Excellence - recognising talent in the BSE sector
30 Nov 2012

SummitSkills recently recognised and celebrated the talent and exceptional standards of work of employees in the building services engineering sector at its annual Awards for Excellence, held this year at the WorldSkills UK Skills Show in Birmingham.

William Falconer from C & E Electrical crowned 2012 SkillELECTRIC champion
23 Nov 2012

Eighteen-year-old William Falconer from C & E Electrical has been crowned the 2012 SkillELECTRIC champion after three days of intense practical competition at The Skills Show at the NEC in Birmingham. Competitors battled it out alongside some 60 other skills competitions which showcased the best up and coming talent across a range of occupations.

2012 SkillFRIDGE champion is Adam Lyness
23 Nov 2012

Twenty-one-year-old Adam Lyness from Valside Ltd (trading as Aircon Sales and Service) has been crowned the 2012 SkillFRIDGE champion after three days of intense practical competition at The Skills Show at the NEC in Birmingham. Competitors battled it out alongside some 60 other skills competitions which showcased the best up and coming talent across a range of occupations.

NG Bailey's Patrick O'Leary wins SkillIPIPE 2012 final
23 Nov 2012

Twenty-year old Patrick O’Leary from N G Bailey has been crowned the 2012 SkillPIPE champion after three days of intense practical competition at The Skills Show at the NEC in Birmingham. Competitors battled it out alongside some 60 other skills competitions which showcased the best up and coming talent across a range of occupations.

Andrew Patton from Dave Neal Plumbing and Heating is 2012 SkillPLUMB champion
23 Nov 2012

Andrew Patton from Dave Neal Plumbing and Heating, a student at Grimsby Institute has been crowned the 2012 SkillPLUMB champion after three days of intense practical competition at The Skills Show at the NEC in Birmingham. Competitors battled it out alongside some 60 other skills competitions which showcased the best up and coming talent across a range of occupations.

Apprenticeship success should be judged by quality, as well as quantity
13 Nov 2012

SummitSkills has welcomed the conclusions of a BIS report that suggests quality, and not just quantity, should be the UK’s focus for apprenticeships. Produced by the House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee, the Apprenticeships – Fifth Report is the result of an inquiry that was announced in December 2011.

Accolade for Board member reflects his wider commitment
13 Nov 2012

A prestigious accolade awarded to SummitSkills Board member Pat Allen for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Fire Systems Industry’ also reflects the commitment that he has shown to the wider electrotechnical industry, says SummitSkills chief executive Keith Marshall OBE.

Employers wanted to Test Drive Talent
13 Nov 2012

Could you offer a work placement to an enthusiastic student with a desire to learn?
Under SummitSkills’ new ‘Test Drive Talent’ initiative, businesses across England are being sought to provide work experience to gifted students who are currently on full time college courses studying for qualifications in the building services engineering sector (electrotechnical, heating and ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration or plumbing industries).
 

Research into EngTech registration and Professional Engineering Institution (PEI) membership - can you help?
12 Nov 2012

The Engineering Council, supported by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, is conducting research into careers, progression and development opportunities for people who have taken (or are taking) a vocational, rather than an academic (bachelor’s/master’s degree), route into engineering. 

Business Link update from BIS
15 Oct 2012

This week (w/c 15 October 2012) Business Link switches over to Gov.UK, although the Business Link Helpline service still exists and is there to support businesses where needed.

The Business Link Helpline is available FREE of charge to support those looking to start or grow a business who may be unable to use or get access to the web, or to help those who are unable to find the information they need via the internet.

 

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