Support for Education and Training

Throughout its history, the JIB-PMES has retained a keen interest and focus on education and training within the Plumbing and Mechanical Engineering Services sector. Indeed, it was the JIB-PMES which was responsible for organising and promoting the first Plumbing Skills competitions during the 1980s and 1990s – one of the reasons we are proud to retain a link to these events to this day.

There is also a significant focus and emphasis placed on high quality apprenticeship training within the National Working Rule Agreement for PMES. As such, the JIB-PMES is proud of its association and close working relationship with JTL, the premier National Apprenticeship Training Provider for Plumbing and Mechanical Engineering Services disciplines (in addition to their Electrotechnical training provision).

The JIB-PMES also enjoys positive and supportive working relationships with the main Awarding Organisations operating within the Plumbing and Mechanical Engineering Services sector, namely:

• BPEC
• City & Guilds
• EAL

Through these relationships, the JIB-PMES maintains its knowledge and understanding of new and updated qualifications and how these are delivered to learners throughout the UK post 16 training provider network.

Support for JTL apprentices

The JIB-PMES currently has an agreement in place with JTL to provide JIB-PMES CSCS apprentice registration cards to its PMES learners. This initiative reflects the fact that registration cards are becoming increasingly important for all tradespeople working in the plumbing industry.

The JIB-PMES CSCS registration card shows site managers, employers and other tradespeople that the holder is qualified for the work being done and has passed a health and safety test.

JTL now automatically registers all its new PMES apprentices on the scheme, meaning that JTL apprentices don’t need to do anything additional to be provided with a JIB-PMES CSCS Apprentice registration card. The agreement also provides JTL apprentices with access to employment advice from the JIB-PMES and also the JIB-PMES loss of tool grant scheme for the duration of their apprenticeship. Finally as part of the agreement each learner will also, on completion of their apprenticeship, receive a JIB-PMES CSCS Operative registration smartcard which is valid for five years.

The conclusion of the agreement was greeted positively by both the JIB-PMES and JTL:

Kevan Holmes, JIB-PMES General Manager welcomed the agreement: “I’m very happy to conclude this agreement and for the JIB-PMES to be working in partnership with JTL. This will help ensure that PMES apprentices have the recognition and status they deserve from day one of their studies and will help to provide the best possible start to their work careers.”

 “This is yet another step forward from JTL to provide valuable additional benefits for its learners,” stated Caroline Turner, JTL’s Director of Policy and External Relations. “We’re pleased to be able to offer these considerable additional benefits for our apprentices and to be working closely with the JIB-PMES on this project.”

Support for the Skill-Plumb competition

The JIB-PMES is proud to be a sponsor and supporter of the SkillPLUMB Competition.

SkillPLUMB is an annual skills competition designed to promote standards and skills across the plumbing industry, developing competence into excellence. SkillPLUMB can bring invaluable benefits to students, colleges and employers. Competitors can gain recognition for exceptional skills, injecting dynamism and excitement into training. Employers can enhance their business reputation and improve the skills of their workforce.

More information on the competition is available through the BPEC YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/BPEC

The highest scoring competitors across all the UK-wide heats are invited to compete at the UK final, which is held at The Skills Show at the NEC, Birmingham in November, the largest skills and careers show in the UK.

Sponsors

The JIB-PMES is proud to be sponsoring and supporting the SkillPLUMB events alongside the following organisations:

• BPEC
• APHC
• Dickies
• Aqualisa Showers
• Grundfos Pumps
• EAS Mechanical
• Monument Tools
• McAlpine Plumbing Products
• Plumbmaster Plumbing and Heating Merchants
• CITB
• Altecnic
• SNIPEF
• CIPHE
• Wednesbury Copper Tube
• Worcester Bosch Group

For more information about SkillPLUMB, including details on how to enter and of scheduled events please follow this link to the BPEC website.