We’ve launched three new level 2 plumbing qualifications this week. A Diploma, for learners who have no access to workplace practice and two NVQ Diplomas, for those who can get real-world work experience (one of which allows for RPL).

These qualifications are our first foray into level 2 plumbing, providing a great opportunity for centres looking to take advantage of this popular arm of building services engineering.

On the 16th April, MP for Richmond (Yorks), Rishi Sunak, visited LCL Awards' centre, GTEC.

Based in Hawes, North Yorkshire, Rishi visited constituent company, GTEC to find out about the renewables training and the funding scheme they set-up at the end of last year - the Renewable Heat Installer Training Support Scheme (RHITSS). RHITTS offers vouchers providing up to 70% off the cost of becoming a renewables installer. Mark Krull, Director for LCL Awards was also in attendance, along with other representatives from industry.

A timely reminder from the HSE about the risks associated with legionella following the closure or reduced occupancy of buildings during COVID lockdowns has been published. As we all prepare to come out of lockdown, it’s important that every step is taken to mitigate risk to human health - coronavirus is not the only potential threat.

Life's no joke - from comedy to combi-boilers!

Energy Technical Academy re-trains comedian, Gary Faulds, as a gas engineer.

At the start of last year, Scottish comedian Gary Faulds had hit the big time. He had an international tour planned. Arenas were selling out fast and he’d already sold thousands of tickets. Then the Coronavirus Pandemic hit and almost overnight, Gary lost everything. The tour was cancelled, the beautiful flat he was renting, the car he was leasing all disappeared and he was left homeless and jobless. As he had only been self-employed for a year he wasn’t able to access any government support, so things really were in a mess and he was eating through his savings at a pace.

LCL Awards is hosting its annual forum virtually this year. We're currently working on a programme of sessions and want to hear what centres would like covered.

As a consequence of BREXIT, F-gas certificates issued by UK certification bodies are no longer recognised in EU member states, but thanks to an initiative set up by the Irish Republic, there’s hope for certified operatives who would like to work both in the Ireland and in the EU.

• Every year faulty electrics and electrical equipment lead to around 70 deaths and 350,000 injuries in UK homes.
• Electric faults or misuse of electrical equipment lead to almost half of all domestic fires in the UK.

Gas Safe Register is instigating new policy on checking G3 qualifications (also known as an Unvented Hot Water qualifications)

George Louden, a key figure in the Scotland’s gas training sector and managing director of LCL Award’s centre, Gas Certification Company, turns seventy at the end of this week.

The Renewable Heat Installer Training & Support Scheme (RHITSS) has now launched, which offers installers up to 70% off the training and associated certification required to become a heat pump or solar thermal engineer.

LCL Awards is one of the Awarding Organisations approved to provide qualifications under this scheme - a great opportunity for our centres.