August 2002
Warning to consumers
Finally, summer has arrived and everyone is enjoying hot, sunny days. The last thing on most people's minds is the thought of winter. However, according to the Institute of Plumbing now is the ideal time to have your boiler serviced and for two very good reasons.Firstly, prevention is better than cure. Everyone has their car serviced at least once a year because they want to avoid major problems that could prove expensive. It's exactly the same with your boiler. By having it serviced once a year you are likely to avoid being in the situation of no hot water or heating in the middle of winter.
Secondly, because of the huge skills shortage professional plumbers already have enough work booked for up for several months ahead, so it's a good idea to contact your plumber now. Andy Watts, Chief Executive of the Institute commented:
"The Construction Industry Training Board has said that we need at least an extra 29,000 qualified plumbers in the next five years. So if you thought it was difficult to get a good plumber now, it's going to get far worse in the future."
If you don't know a reliable, competent plumber, the Institute has a register of professional plumbers covering the UK. Registered Plumbers are vetted by formal qualification or extensive experience and have to abide by a Code of Professional Standards. If you have access to the Internet, visit www.registeredplumber.com. You will be able to call up a list of Registered Plumbers in your area by just putting in the first part of your postcode. Alternatively write to: The Institute of Plumbing, 64 Station Lane, Hornchurch, Essex RM12 6NB or ring 01708 472791.
Anyone who is a member of the Institute is welcome to join the Women in Plumbing Group (male and female). For more information please contact on 01708 463114 or email carolc@plumbers.org.uk.
ENDS (278 WORDS)
AUGUST 2002
Facing the challenge
Three members of the Institute's new Working Group - Women in Plumbing, were on Woman's Hour, BBC Radio Four on Friday 2nd August. Jo Thornley AIP RP was recorded the previous day as she went about her plumbing jobs, and Annabel Hands AIP RP and Geoff Marsh MBE, the Institute's Director of Industry Liaison, took part in a studio debate.Listeners heard that out of nearly 11,000 members of the Institute, just under 50 are female. Geoff Marsh said: "Promoting the case for women plumbers is a challenge, and recognition should be given to those women who already put a lot of time and effort into helping their husbands or partners run their own plumbing businesses."
When Annabel was asked if she thought women might be put off plumbing because of the dirty work and heavy lifting involved she replied: "The majority of female nurses do very "dirty" work and have to lift heavy patients - it's all a matter of image."
In the afternoon the inaugural meeting of the Women in Plumbing Group took place at the Building Centre in London. The main aim of the group is to raise awareness of the career opportunities in plumbing for women and to highlight the work already being done by them in the industry.
The new group was formed after Annabel asked Bob Henry, Chief Executive of CORGI and one of the speakers at the Institute's Conference in June, why he kept referring to male plumbers as there were a number of women plumbers in the industry.
Anyone who is a member of the Institute is welcome to join the Women in Plumbing Group (male and female). For more information please contact on 01708 463114 or email carolc@plumbers.org.uk.
ENDS (APPROX 290 WORDS)
AUGUST 2002