Designed to complement college-based learning, the sessions give engineers, designers and specifiers direct experience working with modern drainage and water supply systems, including plastic soil and waste, HDPE, MLCP and prefabricated assemblies.
These materials are now commonplace in the industry, yet are still underrepresented in many traditional plumbing and heating courses. As such, the company is calling for an industry-wide shift in how the sector trains and equips its next generation of professionals.
Through the sessions, Polypipe is helping new and experienced plumbing professionals understand how modern systems are designed, fabricated and installed, giving them the confidence and practical knowledge to step onto site fully prepared for the demands of contemporary construction.
Steve Bamforth, UK Strategic Project Director at Polypipe Building Services, explains: “The industry is evolving faster than the way we train people. Many trainees come to us highly skilled in traditional methods, but unfamiliar with the modern materials and systems they’ll encounter in today’s projects. Our sessions are designed to bridge that gap and combine real-world application with technical insight.”
Recent sessions at Aylesford have welcomed participants from leading consultancies and education providers, including Buro Happold, Foster + Partners, Stantec and Waltham College.
Graham Hicks, Project Development Manager at Polypipe Building Services, added: “We can’t expect new entrants to solve the industry’s challenges if they’re being trained with only a fraction of the industry’s materials. By opening our doors and sharing our knowledge, we’re supporting the sector’s long-term skills development and ensuring new engineers are ready for all types of on-site work.”
With partnerships including CIBSE, SoPHE YEN and leading consultancies, Polypipe Building Services’ training programme forms part of its wider commitment to collaboration across the sector. The company believes that a more joined-up approach between manufacturers, educators and professional bodies is essential if training standards are to keep pace with modern construction.