CIPHE and City & Guilds Collaboration Signed – 20 August 2025
On 20 August 2025, Kevin Wellman, Court Assistant of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers and CEO of the CIPHE, together with Jason Clark, President of the CIPHE and Court Assistant Elect of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, formally signed a new strategic collaboration agreement between the CIPHE and City & Guilds. This important partnership is designed to transform the future of plumbing and heating education.
Kevin Wellman, Court Assistant of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers (WCoP) and CEO of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), and Jason Clark, President of the CIPHE and WCoP Court Assistant Elect, formally signed a new strategic collaboration agreement with City & Guilds on 20 August 2025.
Kevin Wellman (CEO of CIPHE and Court Assistant, WCoP), Jason Clark (President of the CIPHE and Court Assistant Elect, WCoP), and Kirstie Donnelly MBE (CEO of City & Guilds) signing the collaboration agreement
Both the CIPHE and City & Guilds are educational charities incorporated by Royal Charter and are recognised leaders in vocational training and professional standards. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to tackle the escalating skills shortage, which is increasingly regarded as a skills crisis within the plumbing and heating sector.
This partnership will strengthen the industry by enhancing training quality, expanding educational access, and future-proofing the workforce through innovative joint initiatives.
The five key issues identified for collaboration are:
- Accelerate capacity building in the education sector
- Raise awareness of career opportunities
- Future-proof the esteem and validity of recognised training routes
- Recognise a skilled workforce and reward lifelong learning
- Support the bursaries and awards of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers
Career pathways are a cornerstone of the plumbing and heating industry. Those who achieve the required skills and experience will be entitled to apply for listing on registers administered by the CIPHE. These include the Register of Plumbers, inaugurated in 1886 by the WCoP, and newer registers such as Registered Trainer and Low Carbon Professional.
It is anticipated that this collaboration will strengthen the profession by ensuring the industry is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and professional standing required to safeguard the safety, health and wellbeing of the public.