Formed in August 2002, the IPHE Women in Plumbing and Heating Group (WPHG) is primarily a support network for women working in the plumbing industry and for those seeking information for a career in plumbing. The Group provides support and advice to women working in the industry and to those considering a plumbing career. It also helps to raise awareness of the career opportunities for women in the industry.
This is done by:- Taking part in all forms of media interviews to raise awareness of women working in the industry.
- Publishing a newsletter available to all interested parties.
- Producing a fact sheet to give basic advice to women wanting to train as plumbers.
- Creating a network for women in the industry who would like to be put in touch with others doing a similar job.
- Arranging visits to manufacturers or places of interest connected with plumbing and heating.
- Arranging a one-day annual conference.
- Arranging training days.
To date the WPHG has taken part in many newspaper, radio and television interviews and has become well known in the plumbing and heating industry. Regular newsletters keep members in touch with the Group's activities and welcome relative contributions from readers. The newsletter goes out mainly to women working in all areas of the plumbing industry ranging from hands-on plumbers to business directors. Even those women helping their partners to run small plumbing and heating businesses can benefit from networking with others in a similar situation. Interestingly, the majority of people on our circulation list are trainee plumbers.
Training days have also been arranged for WPHG members and proved very popular with both qualified plumbers and trainees. These visits, arranged with the Institute's Industrial Associates, provide up-to-date training on new products and essential technical back-up should this be needed.
There is no charge for membership and anyone (men and women) can become involved. However, we do encourage people to become members of the IPHE, which is the professional body for the industry.
The Women in Plumbing and Heating Group is working with SummitSkills to raise awareness of the business sense in employing women as part of a competent and competitive workforce; addressing the plumbing needs of a rapidly changing population; and exploring links with other groups and organisations that share similar aims and objectives.
As to the future, the Women in Plumbing and Heating Group is dedicated to continuing its role as a support and awareness group to help bring into effect a fully integrated industry that will bring plumbing into its rightful position as a respected trade and highly skilled profession.
One-day Conference - a great success
Speakers at the Women in Plumbing & Heating Group Annual Conference, held at the Union Jack Club in London, on 28th November 2007, called for more women, of all ages, to come into the construction industry. Following the theme 'Getting in and Getting on', the conference focused on training and career progression in the plumbing and heating sector, with specific information about the qualifications and training involved. The day was divided into key presentations from City and Guilds, NG Bailey, British Gas and JTL, and interactive workshop sessions on Creating a CV, Practical Business Advice and NVQ 3.
Cathryn Hickey, Operations Director for SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for Building Services Engineering chaired the Conference. Chris Johnson, in charge of the Plumbing Sector at the City and Guilds gave a talk on plumbing career development and gave some background to the City and Guilds and the work it is doing. As an HR specialist, Alison Ashworth-Brown, Head of Bailey Engineering Academy at NG Bailey, delivered a powerful and thought-provoking speech designed to encourage more females to apply for training and jobs within the industry.
Alison was also one of the presenters of the interactive workshops that ran before and after lunch. She gave some really good advice on writing a good CV and making it appropriate for the job you are applying for. Chris Seth, Mike Pilditch and Jay Patel, all from HM Revenue & Customs Advice Team, ran an excellent workshop on Practical Business Advice, looking at what individuals need to do when they become self employed, and a quick guide on VAT requirements A third workshop was run by Jenni Wood, a plumbing lecturer with comprehensive experience in teaching and setting up courses for NVQ Levels 2 and 3 at various colleges where she works. She was able to answer delegates questions about coursework needed for Level 3.
Presentations by Carole Willsher, Recruitment and Diversity Specialist at British Gas, and Reg Normington, Youth Project Officer at JTL, rounded off the afternoon. Both speakers spoke about the work their respective companies were doing to encourage women into the industry, and echoed many of the thoughts and advice already given throughout the day.
IPHE Operations Director, Kevin Wellman, closed the conference by thanking delegates and speakers, and especially the two main sponsors, Mira Showers and PTS Plumbing Supplies. Grundfos Pumps also contributed to the day by sponsoring gifts for a prize draw. Nicola Wood, marketing manager for PTS Plumbing Supplies, commented:
'PTS are proud to be associated with the Women in Plumbing and Heating Group and co-sponsor the annual conference. The day was well attended and organised and proved it is worthwhile to continue to encourage and support a growing number of women in the industry by holding such events. As a national supplier we provide a service to plumbing and heating engineers right across the country and by supporting Women in Plumbing and Heating we can demonstrate that level of support even further.'
The one-day conference this year will take place once more at the Union Jack Club in London on 13th November 2008.
WPG e-newsletter
The WPG e-newsletter is in PDF format and contains information on training days, WPG events, requests from readers, profiles and industry news in connection with diversity. We welcome material that would be of interest to WPG readers, but reserve the right to edit if published. Men and women are welcome to subscribe to this free newsletter. If you would like to be added to the circulation list please email Carol Cannavan at carolc@iphe.org.uk.The following people are committee members of the Women in Plumbing Group.
Diane Willis
Grundfos Pumps Limited
Grovebury Road, Leighton Buzzard, BEDS, LU7 4TL.
Email: dwitts@grundfos.com
Sue Leong - Professional Development
53C Acton Street, London, WC1X 9LZ.
Email: sueleonguk@yahoo.com
Carol Cannavan - Secretary
Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering
64 Station Lane, Hornchurch, Essex, RM12 6NB.
Email: carolc@iphe.org.uk
Barbara Field - Chairwoman
John Grear Marketing & Management
68 Sunningvale Avenue, Biggin Hill, Kent, TN16 3BY.
Email: barbara.field@virgin.net
Geoff Marsh MBE
Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering
64 Station Lane, Hornchurch, Essex, RM12 6NB.
Email: geoff@marsh12.plus.com
Karen Procter
Women & Manual Trades
52-54 Featherstone Street, London, EC1Y 8RT.
Email: director@wamt.org
Jo Thornley
32 Kings Road, Ilkley, LS29 9AN.
Email: jothornley@btinternet.com
Jenni Wood
10 Grove Road, Wickhambreaux, Canterbury, Kent, CT3 1SA.
Email: j.wood@cant-col.ac.uk