The need for the industry to support vulnerable people who need clean water and good sanitation was stressed during the 2016 President's Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE), which took place on 9 March.

CIPHE national president Terry Stephenson talked to assembled guests about advances in technology, materials and working practices. However, he said we should not lose sight of the fact that recent figures show some 11 million people are deemed to be vulnerable in relation to clean water and good sanitation.

"As an educational charity we continue to work for the public benefit and this year we are supporting the vulnerable in partnership with other organisations who are contributing to worthwhile and worldwide projects," he said.

He went on to talk about the CIPHE's commitment to education and mentioned that many of the Institute's members, particularly in Hong Kong, aspire to achieving Chartered Engineer status.

"We are indebted to those that support the work we do in promoting professional career progression to all our membership and all those who are proud to be a professional."

Guest speaker of the evening, Nick Mead, president of CIBSE, spoke about the enormous skills shortage in the industry, saying that education and training was the way forward. He said there is still a long way to go, but it is good to see CIPHE looking at the MSc course in Water Engineering, along with the Trailblazer initiative and career pathways.

Fifty guests were welcomed to the dinner by CIPHE national president Terry Stephenson. The event was held on HQS Wellington and was attended by prominent figures from organisations serving the plumbing and heating industry, including the Master of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, Erica Stary.