The Plumbing Professionals Development Scheme (PPDS) 12-month Scheme Update – March 2025

The Offer

The WCP and CIPHE are offering expert support to PPDS members in the crucial early years of their careers through tailored services that enhance technical expertise, professional growth, and career opportunities.

Each PPDS member enjoys funded membership of both CIPHE and WCP. This exclusive benefit ensures access to a wide range of learning resources, mentors, networks, and industry recognition.

The progress of PPDS is promoted through social media and trade media channels, so that the participants’ journeys, and the programme’s impact, are highlighted.

PPDS is a strategic investment in the future of the plumbing and heating industry, fostering stronger connections between key organisations and driving the retention and growth of young talent in the sector.

Key Elements of the Scheme

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The PPDS Learning Programme provides a robust platform for technical and professional growth, including training in:

• Leading-edge technologies, such as net-zero and low-temperature systems and changes to industry standards for ‘green plumbing’.
• Business, commercial, people, and teamworking skills to create rounded young plumbers and future industry leaders.

There are ample opportunities to share and celebrate successes as the learning programme progresses.

Personalised Mentorship

Each PPDS member benefits from tailored guidance through a dedicated Personal Mentor, complemented by access to an expert panel of Specialist Mentors. This personal support is key in enhancing technical skills, business acumen, and career development in the critical early years.

Industry Networking and Engagement

The scheme fosters connections and contacts in the industry through events by industry bodies and commercial organisations. These provide useful opportunities for PPDS members to grow their professional networks that will serve them throughout their careers. There will also be opportunities to interact with charitable organisations linked to water management.

Highlights of 2024

Launch of the Scheme – January 2024

The start of the journey for the first PPDS Cohort.

Professional Development:

Interactive workshops have included:

• Four sessions on Heat Loss calculation methodology
• Building Regulations Part L
• The Building Safety Act 2022
• Drainage Systems and the use of AAVs
• Backflow Prevention
• The Road to Master Plumber qualification
• How to Set Up Your Own Plumbing Business

Mentor Selection and Training

Supported by two training sessions (one led by a specialist from the Company of Management Consultants), our volunteer Personal Mentors have been equipped to provide the necessary support to their nominated PPDS member.

WCP Annual Lecture (May 2024)

Delivered by Gareth Owen OBE of Save the Children, “No Lives Without Water” educated and inspired attendees on the essential need for clean water and sanitation in the immediate aftermath of disasters (natural and man-made) around the globe.

Installer Show Participation (June 2024)

PPDS members showcased their enthusiasm and growing expertise at one of the industry’s premier events.

‘Drop In’ Communications Session

The monthly ‘First Tuesday’ opportunity for PPDS Members to catch up with their peers and to chat informally with scheme managers.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Following the ‘pilot’ first year, and many lessons learned, PPDS is poised for further development and progression. Upcoming plans include:

• A team of new PPDS members for 2025 (Cohort 2): Up to ten new members are being recruited to join the scheme and will attend a kick-off event in April. Those already signed up are encouraged to attend selected learning events immediately.
• Extending the PPDS Activity Calendar, to include new technical training workshops, plus additional learning sessions on business and professional skills (finance, tax, insurance, law, marketing, sales, HR etc). There will be a workshop in 2025 on charitable work overseas to supply clean water and effective sanitation.
• Continuing the monthly PPDS ‘Drop In’ sessions to include ‘fireside chats’ on topical subjects; these are increasingly interactive as PPDS members grow in confidence.

Closing Comment

PPDS demonstrates the value of collaboration between CIPHE and WCP, and their shared commitment to excellence in the UK plumbing and heating sector. The successful launch in 2024, and the lessons learned, are allowing us to refine the scheme to help ensure a bright future for plumbing and heating engineering professionals in their early, and critical, years in the industry.

We thank the PPDS Personal Mentors who volunteered in 2024 and are currently engaged in the role:

• Michael Cooper (Ruben)
• Philip Heritage (Tiffany)
• Ian Parker (Adam)
• Jamie Fisher (Matt)
• Liam Connaughton (Daisy)

The scheme is managed by colleagues from CIPHE and WCP as follows:

• CIPHE: Tim Sainty and Jerry Whiteley
• WCP: Martin Shouler, David Adams, Paul Nash, Michael Spencer, and Peter White

Please contact any of the above representatives for more information.

We thank Dan Tranter (WCP) and Gary Kruse (CIPHE) who helped develop and launch the scheme during 2024.

David Adams, 11 March 2025 (World Plumbing Day)

Photographs

We display below recent photographs of five founder members of PPDS (Cohort 1) who joined the scheme in January 2024.

Tiffany

Adam

Ruben (Silver Medalist, World Plumbing Skills. Sept 2024 Lyon)

Ruben

Ollie

Ollie (Journeyman Plumber award, Mar 2025)

Daisy

Daisy