WaterSafe

🏆 Congratulations to Jackson Gill from New College Durham on winning HIP Magazine's Learner of the Year 2025 🎉 Promising plumbing students competed in six regional heats across the UK in search of the best upcoming talent within the industry. It’s a rigorous competition where students compete in a live practical installation. WaterSafe sponsors the HIP Magazine Learner of the Year competition and is a proud advocate for the Female Skills Competition. We hope to profile Jackson very soon but, in the meantime, we thought our guest blog from last year’s double winner, Daisy Turner, nicely sums up why we love this event. “Both competitions were a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded students and show my skills. I think what set me apart from the others was attention to detail – crucial when it comes to making sure plumbing work is compliant with the water regulations.” “No matter your age or gender, I’d recommend anyone considering a career in the trades to give it a go. There’s a shortage of new people joining the trades, but apprenticeships offer life-long skills.” Read Daisy’s blog, ‘My passion for plumbing’ here: https://lnkd.in/efGGAPPK @HIPMagazine #HIPLearnerOfTheYear

As the clocks spring forward on Sunday to mark the start of British Summer Time, we’re advising households to check their stop tap when they change their clocks. The internal stop tap is the first line of defence against plumbing emergencies. By turning off the mains water supply, households can help prevent property damage and costly repairs if a pipe leaks or bursts.  However, a survey of 2,000 homeowners revealed 42 per cent of UK residents don’t know how to find and use their stop tap. Stop taps, also known as stop cocks or stop valves, can often be found under the kitchen sink, or in downstairs bathrooms, kitchen cupboards, garages, cellars, and under the stairs.  We’re calling on households to make sure they can operate their property’s stop tap every six months by gently turning it off and back on again.   Households can watch this video to learn how to find and check their stop tap: https://lnkd.in/eaJ9X53s

Ever wondered what water company water fittings inspectors do? Here is Emma W. from Yorkshire Water explaining more.

Celebrating 100 Years of APHC 🎉 Congratulations to the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors, one of WaterSafe’s founding members, on reaching its centenary! Established in 1925 as the National Federation of Plumbers and Domestic Engineers (NFP&DE), APHC has been a driving force behind professionalism and innovation in the plumbing and heating sector. Over the past 100 years, APHC has adapted to technological advancements and industry changes, always staying true to its mission of promoting high standards. Julie Spinks, WaterSafe Director, said: “As one of our founding approved contractor scheme members, APHC has been instrumental in the launch and continued success of WaterSafe. Our approved contractor schemes and the plumbing and heating businesses themselves are crucial to the WaterSafe scheme. "I’d like to congratulate all at APHC on reaching its centenary, which is a testament to its longstanding commitment to improving standards in plumbing and protecting water quality.” Read more highlights of the last 100 years and what's next for APHC and WaterSafe on our blog: https://lnkd.in/eEWzPh-F

We’re celebrating with approved contractor scheme Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors as it celebrates its centenary this month. It was founded in 1925 as the National Federation of Plumbers and Domestic Engineers at a time when King George V was on the throne, Margaret Thatcher was born, and the average weekly wage was £5. In 1996, it became known as the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors, as it is today, before joining the WaterSafe scheme when it launched in 2013. Watch this video to hear from current members, APHC’s President and other key APHC staff about how APHC has evolved over the decades. https://lnkd.in/ePzrpieK

We’re celebrating with approved contractor scheme Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors as it celebrates its centenary this month.    It was founded in 1925 as the National Federation of Plumbers and Domestic Engineers, at a time when King George V was on the throne, Margaret Thatcher was born and the average weekly wage was £5.  In 1996 it became known as the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors, as it is today, before joining the WaterSafe scheme when it launched in 2013.    Watch this video to hear from current members, APHC’s President and other key APHC staff about how APHC has evolved over the decades.    https://lnkd.in/ePzrpieK 

The theme of tomorrow’s International Women’s Day is #AccelerateAction. Here, WaterSafe Director Julie Spinks and Editor of HIP Magazine, Celia Matthews, explore efforts to increase the number of females working in the plumbing industry. https://lnkd.in/eEyg4uEK #IWD2025

Following the introduction of the Scottish Repairing Standard, Michael Cairns from WaterSafe-approved plumbing firm Celsius Plumbing & Heating explains all landlords and installers need to know about the Repairing Standard.

Has last week’s National Apprenticeship Week got you wondering about the benefits of apprenticeships for both employers and aspiring tradespeople? Edinburgh-based Celsius Plumbing & Heating’s foray into apprenticeships began in 2007, when founder Michael Cairns found himself made redundant as a young gas engineer. After setting up Celsius Plumbing, Michael won a six-month Government contract which stipulated he couldn’t work alone, so brother Steven joined as an apprentice. The rest, as they say, is history and the firm now employs a 16-strong team, including two apprentices. A proud member of both SNIPEF and WaterSafe, Michael, and apprentice Aaron Robinson, explain why apprenticeships are important to Celsius and what makes the firm stand out. https://lnkd.in/eGUv69A2 #NAW2025 #Apprenticeships

Hear from our 2025 Learner of the Year competitors on what they love about their apprenticeships, and their advice to anyone thinking of starting one! Thank you to our LOY regional winners and runners up: Oliver Kingerlee from Abingdon and Witney College Harry Ward from Cardiff and Vale College Finn McNally from Trafford College Group Zeb Champion from Petroc College Dylan Dickson from Grŵp Gllm, Rhos on Sea Campus Andrew Ritson from Nescot College Luke Warren from Suffolk New College Isaac Rocke from Shrewsbury College Louis Cox from Bridgwater and Taunton College Kian Elward from Cardiff and Vale College Dexter Pude from Ignite Training Jackson Gill from New College Durham #hiploy25 #plumbingapprentice #heatinginstaller #hipmagazine #plumbingskills #plumberuk #apprenticeships #NAW25 #nationalapprenticeshipweek OB1 Wolseley Plumb Centre Milwaukee Tool UK Viessmann Climate Solutions Aalberts integrated piping systems Corgi Services EAL Kingspan Group Mark Vitow Ltd Stelrad Ltd Triton Showers WaterSafe Wilo UK Fix Radio Snickers Workwear Talon Manufacturing The Worshipful Company of Plumbers Yorkshire Copper Tube Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering Jerry Whiteley Glenn Scholfield Andrew Cam Toni Oakley-Tulk Zoë Tanner