APHC Training, a registered charity, is donating £20,000 to support plumbing and heating companies who wish to keep their existing qualified employees up to date on their training. All companies will be able to apply on a first come first served basis for a one-off £60 grant towards training on selected courses.
Glen Evans, chairman of APHC Training, said: 'We believe it is about time someone paid attention to the good, conscientious companies who understand the need to train their employees in order to keep up with their legal requirements, legislative developments and new product innovations. Every penny counts at the moment as companies seek to survive the challenging economic environment, so we are pleased to be able to offer a contribution to these companies to help them maintain their high standards.

'The £60 grant is available to all bona fide plumbing & heating companies. The grant is available to train one existing qualified operative per company and cannot be used towards fast-track training nor towards apprenticeships but can be used on a wide range of continued professional development courses.'

Any interested companies, both members and non-members, should email info@aphc.co.uk on or after 3 May 2011, putting 'Training Grant' in the subject line. They will be sent a form to fill in, which also details the scheme's operating conditions. After they have completed a course (which must be done by the end of the year), applicants send a copy of their invoice from the training provider along with their certificate of successful completion of the course, and APHC will put the £60 straight into their business bank account.