A new plumbing and gas centre offering all the key training accreditation needed by domestic plumbers and gas engineers has been officially opened by South West Durham Training.
The Newton Aycliffe-based centre caters for all domestic core gas safety and appliances initial, reassessment and training needs to meet Gas Safe Register requirements, including CCN1, CENWAT, CKR1, HTR1, MET1 and CPA1 assessment.
Training courses also include Unvented Hot Water, Water Regulations (WRAS), Part L Energy Efficiency and Legionella.
Electrical accreditation in Part P Full Scope, 17th Edition and Initial Verification Inspection & Testing is also offered, alongside commercial courses in Forklift Operator, Health & Safety, Hydraulics and Welding Procedures.
The new centre is an extension of the commercial training offer from South West Durham Training, a subsidiary of Bishop Auckland College which will next year celebrate its 50th anniversary as an engineering training provider.
It was opened by Ray Dobson, director of plumbing and electrical contractor K Hewitt & Co and Natalie Davison, the principal and chief executive of Bishop Auckland College, who said: “In addition to the new gas centre, the college has provided plumbing training and apprenticeships for local companies for over 50 years.
“This new initiative and investment will support more companies with their bespoke training needs now and in the future.”
Mr Dobson, who is joint owner of Bishop Auckland-based Hewitt’s following an MBO last year, added: “Hewitt’s have a long-standing relationship with the college, training apprentices. This new development will enable lots of businesses to access plumbing and gas training within their local area.”
The centre is offering package deals and other special offers for initial bookings before the end of April, and can access up to £1,500 funding for firms who recruit a plumbing apprentice.