Des Dolan, building services brand manager for Durapipe UK, discusses the need for more integrated training – with greater input from manufacturers – within the building services industry.
TRAINING the next generation in the latest skills and techniques is imperative within any industry. Building services is no exception.

During the past 12 months, the industry has seen many new developments in the training of young people, which have been driven by SummitSkills, the sector skills council for building services engineering.

Working from this, all individual elements within building services engineering need to be focused on.

Pipework is integral to this, and Durapipe UK is advising that a more integrated approach is needed, with greater input from manufacturers to help drive the industry forward.

SummitSkills has helped the industry take great steps forward over the past 12 months with the introduction of Skill M&E, a search for the best mechanical and electrical engineers within the sector, as well as the 14-19 diplomas.

Develop skills

Launched in September 2008, two new diplomas - Construction & the Built Environment Diploma, and Engineering Diploma - are helping young people across the country develop skills in these sectors.

This is an excellent grounding in building services engineering, and a welcome initiative from the industry. But it is now important that this is maintained and built upon. Individual elements within this, such as pipework, need more focus.

Traditionally, mechanical engineers and plumbers have only been trained in copper and steel pipework, which has limited their options when specifying and installing systems.

In the current market conditions, this issue has been further highlighted. Price rises and metal thefts have discouraged people from using it as building materials. This has sparked specifiers and contractors to look at suitable alternatives.

Those that are aware of the options have been able to select comparable products that meet performance and budget requirements.

But those that have only been trained in metal systems have found this more difficult. It is important plumbers and mechanical engineers in the making are informed of the different options available for pipework systems. But it is not just product performance and features that are key.

Trainees should also be kept up to date with current market issues, and how different products fit into this. Durapipe UK is advising that this responsibility should not lie only with the colleges and training bodies.

It is down to manufacturers to ensure training establishments are kept up to date with new materials, systems and techniques which ensures this knowledge can be passed down to students.

Durapipe has recently started the process, by helping universities and colleges train tomorrow's mechanical services consultants and contractors in the benefits of plastic pipework systems.

Responding to increasing interest in plastic systems, the pipework manufacturer is offering colleges and universities free training packs that outline the benefits of plastic systems.

The response to date has been phenomenal, with more than a third of the targeted establishments requesting the free training pack within a month.

This demonstrates that colleges and universities are crying out for manufacturers to strengthen course content with information and samples of current products.

Informed decision

Other manufacturers need to follow this lead, and help give tomorrow's mechanical engineers a more integrated and balanced foundation in all different elements of building services
construction.

This, in turn, will benefit all parties within the chain: specifiers will have all the necessary knowledge with which to make an informed decision; manufacturers will see more consultants considering their systems; and contractors can be confident of using any product without hitting boundaries during the installation process.

This will not happen overnight. But, if training within the building services industry is to continue to improve and remain up to date with current products, techniques and issues, it needs manufacturers, contractors and training establishments all to work together.

Durapipe offers a range of pipework systems for use in modern building applications. For further info, call 01543 279909 or visit www.durapipe.co.uk