New blended learning scheme plugs plumbing skills leak

23rd May 2007

Distance learning specialist, Train 4 Trade Skills Ltd, is tackling the severe shortage of qualified plumbers in the UK by offering a revolutionary new way to train for recognised plumbing qualifications. For the first time they are offering new plumbing courses that fit around existing work and home commitments and teach plumbing skills using a revolutionary, 3D virtual reality `house', accessible via CD on home PCs, to supplement practical and theoretical coursework.

The new, high tech `blended learning' approach combines theory coursework, access to a £100,000 custom built, state of the art virtual `house' and practical training at centres throughout the UK, to train for City & Guilds, CITB, BPEC and CORGI qualifications.

The courses are neither gender nor age specific, apply equally to those looking for new, well paid skilled employment , keen DIY-ers wanting to make a career of their abilities, school leavers and those currently in the trade, seeking a recognised plumbing qualification, male or female.

Hundreds of wannabe plumbers are already signing up, including a married couple, a single mum looking for a career to support her three children and a former member of the Royal Navy seeking a career change.

The flexible nature of the course, with the revolutionary new plumbing software, enables students to train around existing work and home commitments.

The three dimensional graphics and interactive exercises, developed by Train 4 Trade Skills, allow the `virtual plumber' to `walk' around the house and solve 'real world' plumbing problems, attending to heating installations, water supply and sanitary plumbing.

Mike Head, Marketing Manager for Train 4 Trade Skills said "There's a UK-wide shortage of plumbers that the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) predict will get worse and worse.

The UK already needs around 5,000 additional plumbers per year just to replace those that are retiring, yet only around 2,000 are currently qualifying each year.

Our new distance learning plumbing courses offer a major opportunity for those looking to train for a skilled profession, whether school leaver, currently working in the industry or simply looking for a career change.

We are plugging the plumbing skills leak and simplifying the training process by offering courses that take advantage of the latest virtual reality technology, that f it around existing work commitments and open up a combination of ways to study to open the flood gates to a new generation of plumbers to train, qualify and practice".

Students can work at their own pace, complete modules and course work within a flexible time frame and providing attendance targets for practical workshops are met, the certification can be achieved according to individuals' personal commitments.

Contact Train 4 Trade Skills on 0870 402 1955 or visit www.train4tradeskills.com

Additional information:-

The course is structures in three stages:-

Foundation, combining three modules:
City & Guilds 6022-02 Copper Pipework Installation
City & Guilds 6032 - Sanitary accommodation installation, maintenance and design BPEC - Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

Intermediate, encompassing an additional 2 modules
City & Guilds 6128 Domestic Heating & Ventilation Technical Certificate City & Guilds 6084 Energy Efficiency Certificate

And training in the plumbing aspects of a heating system installation and basic electrical principles relating to heating system components including pre-work checks and lawful limitations.

Advanced level, to achieve three further qualifications
BPEC/CORGI certification Part P defined scope electrical qualification
BPEC hot water heating solar energy certification
CITB certification in domestic un-vented hot water storage systems

Students can take the modules in their own time, providing assessments are submitted and commitments to attend practical workshops are met.