Uponor Skills Centre to moves to higher level

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Jun 2, 2006

The Uponor Skills Centre, already well-established as a training base for gas industry pipeline installers and contractors, is now fully accredited as a City and Guilds approved training centre.

The Uponor Skills Centre in Derbyshire, already well-established as a training base for gas industry pipeline installers and contractors, is now fully accredited as a City and Guilds approved training centre, with the aim of helping raise standards still further across the multi-utility industry.

Initial courses with City and Guilds certification include construction skills for polyethylene water mains and services, covering electrofusion jointing practices.

Further courses are available for water industry constructors, and there are variants to cater for the requirements of construction supervisors and managers.

Complementing the City and Guilds qualifications, Uponor is also able to deliver the new National Hygiene Certificate for water industry personnel, which has been introduced by Energy and Utility Skills (EUS).

From April 2006 there is a requirement for new entrants to the water industry to complete this qualification prior to engaging in construction activities associated with water distribution.

As Uponor's training manager Bev Lomax confirms, training solutions have been developed which support the drive to raise standards: "With the desire in the water sector to move to national occupational standards for construction staff, and the related need to demonstrate competency, these new training solutions will assist in improving the safety of operations and the quality of installation work, benefiting both construction personnel and asset owners".

Other Uponor-initiated training and refresher courses are available for both the gas distribution and sewer sectors of utility operations.

A notable recent addition is a City and Guilds qualification produced in partnership with Develop Solutions, for construction staff involved in the installation of plastic structured wall sewer pipe systems, covering handling, installation, field-testing and maintenance.