For those working directly with gas the switch from Corgi has also been straightforward and almost universal. The Register now holds registrations for over 60,000 businesses and will continue to grow in 2010 when businesses from Guernsey and Northern Ireland also come aboard.

Those working with gas may be familiar with the rules and their responsibilities but what about those in the broader construction trades who may be working alongside them?

Under Regulation 8 of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998, those working in trades other than gas also have a legal duty not to compromise the safety of gas installations in the course of their work.

Jamie Cooper, Technical Support Manager for Gas Safe Register said:

"We all recognise that health and safety should always come first as part of any building project. But where gas installations are concerned, like gas engineers, all trades have a legal duty to make sure that the work carried out doesn’t make an installation unsafe."

"For example, roofers must check that they are not adversely affecting a flue system; kitchen fitters must take care not to build a cupboard too close to a cooker; and double glazing fitters must not block essential ventilation when putting up new windows. It is also essential that any gas work undertaken on a building project is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Remember it is not permissible to have gas work undertaken by someone else signed-off by a registered engineer."

"An awareness of the risks is a key first step. In some cases other trades may not even have considered that their work could impact upon the safe operation of gas appliances."

Unfortunately there is no ‘one size fits all’ guidance with regards to ultimate legal responsibility:

"The Health & Safety at Work Act is the ‘umbrella’ legislation in this context and any work carried out must meet its requirements. In cases where responsibility is disputed it can ultimately come down to a court to decide."

If you are carrying out any work which you think may fall within the scope of ‘gas work’, including flues, ventilation or suitable clearances around gas appliances you can obtain gas safety advice from the Gas Safe Register technical team on 0800 408 5500 and press Option 2.

Although Britain’s young talent did not get gold, silver or bronze in this category, the self-employed plumber from Bishop Auckland did walk away with an award for scoring at least 500 points, which is deemed the world class standard.

Britain did win gold in electrical installations thanks to the talented Richard Sager (aged 22) from Langholm who works for Eden Electrics. Sager was one of 900 skilled people from around the globe competing in the biennial WorldSkills competition in Calgary over four days.

Sager trained hard for 18 months for his golden moment, putting his social lives on hold to perfect his skill.

This year the UK won three gold and six bronze medal wins at the largest skills based competition in the world. In total 46 nations took part. Britain has a good track record at the WorldSkills Competition, and was 11th in the world at the last event, held in Japan in 2007. The UK team are now waiting to find out where they rank for 2009.

In total 26 young people from Britain ( all aged under 25) competed in skills events ranging from painting and decorating to floristry and autobody repair.

Simon Bartley, chief executive of UK Skills, which manages Team UK said "What Team UK has achieved is outstanding. It’s a tremendous result not just for the competitors, but for their employers, trainers and colleges. We hope to build on this success as we move towards the next WorldSkills Competition, which London will be hosting in 2011, where we hope to do even better. We are extremely proud of each and every one of them and can say that they are amongst the best in the world at their chosen skill".

Skills Minister Kevin Brennan, said: "The world class skills this team have demonstrated are vital to the future success of our economy in key industries such as construction, manufacturing and engineering. It’s more important than ever that we continue to support and invest in the skills of our workforce, helping individuals get into and stay on at work as well as helping businesses stay competitive and prepare for the upturn."

Source: Heating & Ventilating, September 2009

Celebrity plumber and former apprentice Charlie Mullins (pictured), who is the founder of Pimlico Plumbers, one of the largest plumbing firms in the UK, says youngsters need to see apprenticeships as a valid alternative to university especially considering the current shortage of places.

According to Mullins, who started his plumbing apprenticeship when he was 15, teenagers who qualify as apprentices are more likely to have job and financial security in the future.

“An apprenticeship puts you on a real career path and in three to four years when you are trained and earning money, your friends will only just be finishing university and in the job market for the first time,” he said.

“Good university degrees are fine, but it’s going to be increasingly difficult for many youngsters to get on good courses. We should be promoting apprenticeships, and encouraging kids to understand that they offer a real alternative.”

This year there are almost 40,000 more students confirmed for university entry compared to the same time last year.

Currently more than half of university places on offer through the university clearing system, which allocates left over places to students, have been taken.

It is estimated that there are now 14 students for every available degree place.

Earlier this month Mullins branded the £2.5m Sir Alan Sugar backed government apprenticeship website a “joke” for filling only 1,185 vacancies out of the 18,000 advertised.

He says the government should pay employers the equivalent of Job Seeker’s Allowance, which is around £50 a week for under 25 year olds, to take on apprentices. In his proposals he also suggests the government should pick up 100 per cent of an apprentices wage bill for the first year and 50 per cent in the second, leaving employers on their own only in the third year.

“We must encourage youngsters to aim for a real trade, not stand by whilst many end up wasting time on pointless degrees from poor universities, when the country is crying out for properly trained tradesmen,” he said.

“You can always do the academic stuff later. Often it’s easier when you have a bit of real life experience under you belt.”

Source: Training Journal, August 2009

Writing for epolitix.com, Gordon Marsden MP, explained that although the downturn presents a number of challenges to businesses, there will also be opportunities to equip people with new skills.

Furthermore, investment in green jobs can also help boost the country, with manufacturing being one area which should be specifically targeted, Mr Marsden said.

"Wind farm projects will create jobs for sheet metal workers, machinists and truck drivers, while increasing the energy efficiency of buildings will rely on roofers, insulators and electricians," he said.

When the recovery comes, demand for skills will increase, so it is vital that the country is prepared for this, Mr Marsden added.

Last week, electrical contractor T Clarke predicted that the commercial property development sector could start to pick up as soon as mid 2010.

The firm also stated that it has made a "positive start" to 2009.”

Source: ECA, May 2009

According to Manchester City Council, its investment plan will provide work for 6,500 skilled tradesmen, including electricians.

A further 1,200 professional roles for engineers, project managers and architects will be created.

It was also revealed that the projects will be used to help recruit and train apprentices, with 458 roles being supported by the move.

Councillor Sue Murphy, executive member for employment and skills, said: "Our commitment to these improvements to the built environment is also sustaining vital jobs during a period of recession.

"It is the most direct way, but very far from the only one, in which we are doing everything in our power to help create new jobs."

Yesterday, the Confederation of British Industry welcomed plans by the Learning and Skills Council to ensure that extra funding for college building projects are spread across a number of schemes.”

Source: ECA, June 2009

Speaking to the Newcastle Journal, Jane Atkinson, vice-president of utilities at SembCorp UK, explained that the demands placed on the country by European emissions targets could expose these shortcomings.

To meet these requirements, the government will have to invest in a range of new power plants, from nuclear generators to windfarms and this will require a range of engineers, she stated.

"If you look at building the Olympic Stadium, how many engineers are involved – civil, mechanical, structural, electrical and chemical – but we won’t be able to do those massive infrastructure projects in the future, we’ll have to bring in foreign labour," Ms Atkinson said.

She called for more information to be given to the public, parents and teachers so they can help children decide if a career in engineering is right for them, she added.

Recently, the Bristol Construction Academy at Filton College revealed that it has seen a large increase in the number of mature students showing an interest in its courses since the start of the recession.

According to the academy, this is because many people are looking to reskill after losing their jobs.” 

Source: ECA, April 2009

According to a study by the Chartered Institute of Building, 77 per cent of those questioned think there is a lack of skilled workers within the trades in the construction sector.

In addition, 38 per cent of those questioned stated that any loss of skills would seriously hinder the sector when the economy picks up.

The body’s deputy chief executive Michael Brown said: "Construction has been notoriously bad at attracting students, and other new entrants, which has exasperated the industry’s long-term skills development."

More than three-quarters of respondents felt that apprenticeships should be mandatory on all public projects to help encourage the employment of trainees.

Last week, it was reported that the government has earmarked £11 million to create approximately 3,000 new apprenticeships across the UK.

The cash will be shared out among 16 firms which have signed agreements with the government over the next two years.”

Source: ECA, May 2009