The charitable training provider JTL and plumbing training and certification body BPEC have made a formal commitment to work more closely together to help raise standards in the industry.

The close working relationship was confirmed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations on 24 September.

The agreement includes recognition by JTL of BPEC as an awarding organisation for plumbing apprenticeships as well as quality assurance work to ensure the highest standards of delivery, assessment and verification. The two organisations are also expected to collaborate on the development and use of new learning materials for JTL apprentices registered with BPEC.

There will be partnership work associated with the presentation of career opportunities in building services engineering, with a strong emphasis on entry via either traineeship or apprenticeship programmes. Another key feature will be collaborative work associated with learning and qualifications support for those professionals already working in the sector but who want to go further with their understanding and recognised qualifications.

“We feel sure that the coming together of our two organisations provides significant mutual benefits, and in addition, will raise both the profile and the professional reputation of those engaged in important plumbing roles,” said Caroline Turner, Operations Director of JTL. “We believe that this association will encourage end-user customers of plumbing services to recognise the brand symbols of BPEC and JTL as signs of reassurance.”

Frank Glover chairman of BPEC commented: “JTL has over the last eight years developed a strong reputation in plumbing training, with apprenticeship results some 10 per cent higher than the national average. This agreement therefore brings together two strong organisations whose partnership can only be beneficial to those working in the plumbing industry.”