Published: 21 July 2014
Category: News
The next generation of plumbing and heating engineers working their way towards Diplomas in Plumbing studies at Harrow College in North London and Barking and Dagenham College in East London are being encouraged to work with high quality controls and system accessories courtesy of Bristol based Horstmann.
In Harrow some 100 youngsters are learning skills at levels 1, 2 and 3 in the College’s custom built workshops based at their Whitefriars Training Centre close to the main College campus in Wealdstone.
A key part of the various attainment levels is hands on assembly of S and Y plan heating system layouts. Students’ progress through the levels up to level 3 where they construct a ‘live’ pressurised system connected to the water system and boiler in a full working simulation.
“An important practical exercise is wiring up a typical simulated system layout that features all components – diverter valve, room thermostat, cylinder thermostat and programmer – that can then be tested on the bench,” explains Gary Dicker who is one of a team of 6 trainers lead by manager Guy Kilsby.
“Ideally each student has his or her own board but obviously that necessitates having quite a stock of system components and this is where Horstmann have been extremely supportive.
“They have provided us with generous numbers of key components which the students appreciate because they are able to work alone or as a pair. They also appreciate working with the same equipment across the workshop so they can compare layouts, notes and wiring skills” Mr Dicker adds.
At the Rush Green campus of Barking and Dagenham College, there are some 600 students looking to become plumbing and heating engineers and here too, Horstmann central heating controls are playing a role in their training.
“The students like them because of ease of installing and then simplicity in use when they compile their user instructions” says plumbing lecturer Toby Bedzell, who with his colleague Alan Groombridge overseas classroom and assignment activities leading up to NVQ level three.
Students at both Colleges have been working with Horstmann HRT room ‘stats, CentaurPlus programmers, ZonePlus motorised valves and HCT2 cylinder thermostats, all of which will typically be found in new build or system upgrade environments.
At Harrow and Barking the annual intake is usually based on novices who are taught all the basic skills of plumbing and/or electrical installation, working up to their Level 3 attainment. Some students are also on apprentice schemes with local plumbing and heating firms so they are benefiting further with additional on the job training.
After what is usually a three year course students who are taking plumbing and heating courses should be ready for gas safe accreditation while the electricians – who by this time are fully acquainted with central heating wiring and system installation and use – will be ready for their Part P training.
“Being able to assist in this way has been a really invaluable exercise” explains Ray Rousell, Southern Regional Area Manager for Horstmann. “We get good feedback from the college and tutoring team because the system components get put to some rigorous use in this environment, far more handling than in a typical domestic situation. That and giving the technicians of the future a sound grounding in installation and use techniques make the support for Colleges very worthwhile,” he adds.