There are grounds for genuine optimism amongst British tradesmen, as the Japanese engineering giant Hitachi follows up its £700m acquisition of the Horizon nuclear project by expressing its long-term commitment to the UK infrastructure sector.

The construction project is to include the development of two or three 1300MW advanced boiling water reactor (ABWR) plants in two separate locations, Wylfa in Anglesey and Oldbury in Gloucestershire. It is estimated that each of these sites will support between 5,000 and 6,000 construction jobs, with the first of the units operational by 2025.

British businesses are also buoyed by the news, as, based on the experience gained during the development of four ABWR plants in Japan, 60 per cent of the project’s budget will be spent on materials, personnel and services from the local area.

Hitachi also intends to create a legacy of nuclear skills and training in the UK by working with local colleges and universities to introduce training programs and develop a permanent base of nuclear skills in the UK, leading to global demand for their skills.

The Hitachi president Hiroaki Nakanishi, said: “This is the start of a 100-year commitment to the UK and its vision to create a long-term, secure, low-carbon and affordable energy supply. We look forward to sharing Hitachi’s corporate vision and nuclear business with the management and employees of Horizon, working harmoniously with UK companies and stakeholders for the delivery of this vital part of the UK’s national infrastructure and the creation of a strong nuclear power company.

Energy minister John Hayes is hugely encouraged by this deal and the message that the rest of the world will receive, “that Britain’s economy is open and stable and committed to the development of new sources of nuclear energy.”

The project is to be supported by the Office for Nuclear Regulation and Environment Agency, who will work collaboratively with Hitachi to provide certainty that the reactor design will be fit for use in the UK. It is expected this will be a relatively straightforward process, given the approval the design of the reactor has already received from US nuclear authorities. 

Following draft license modifications put before Parliament and a ruling from the Court of Appeal, solar PV systems will be eligible for the higher Feed in Tariff (FIT) rate.  That means that domestic solar PV systems that are registered with a FIT provider before 3rd March 2012 will be eligible for a Feed in Tariff rate of 43.4/kWh. 

Not prepared to accept the change, the DECC (Department of Energy & Climate Change) has indicated they will follow this ruling up by seeking permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.  If the DECC is successful in the appeal process, this could herald yet more changes.

The current rates available to domestic solar PV customers are as follows:

• If customers register their solar PV installation before 3rd March 2012, they will be eligible for a FIT rate of 43.3p for each unit of power they generate and 3.1p for each unit of power that they export to the National Grid
• Customers registering from the 3rd March – 31st March will be eligible for a FIT tariff of 43.3p for every unit of power they generate up until the 1st April 2012. Any power generated after that date will be eligible for a rate of 21p for each unit.
• Between 1st April and 30th June, the Government proposes to give 21p for each unit of power generated and 3.1p for each unit that is sent back to the National Grid.

There’s never been a better time to consider solar PV for the home and you may indeed have seen more and more homes with solar panels fitted.  In order to have solar PV panels fitted, your home will need to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard and that means you’ll have to acquire an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of ‘D’ or higher.   Further reductions are proposed to the FIT rate in the future and these changes could be in place by 1st July 2012. 

More and more people in the UK are starting to realise the benefits of generating their own energy and the changes to the FIT rate make installation look much more appealing.  Solar PV panels are becoming less and less expensive and therefore more accessible to UK homeowners.  In order to be eligible for solar PV you must own your own property in England or Wales and have your own mains electricity supply.

Renewable and sustainable energy seems to be high on the agenda in Parliament right now and there’s never been a better or more affordable time to tap into the sustainable energy market.  Reduce your carbon footprint and your energy bills at the same time.

With the rising demand for solar comes a rise in the number of solar installers required in the UK. Access Training specialise in helping people find their vocation, whether that's plastering or solar PV. To find out more about how to begin training, browse the rest of the website or call the knowledgable Access team on 0800 345 7492.

In our last blog post we examined the anticipated increase in bathroom installation over the next few years, and how such a renovation could have a significant impact on the value of your home. Well in an unexpected twist, Access Training, whilst carrying out some research, have stumbled across some earth shattering news: could the installation of a second bathroom really be the secret to a long and happy marriage?

Catherine Zeta Jones has added some of her Hollywood gravitas to a growing murmur that the installation of a second bathroom could well be the secret to a happy marriage.

Zeta Jones, who has received considerable press coverage over the past few weeks, is convinced that his and hers bathrooms have been of great comfort during her 10 year marriage to film star husband Michael Douglas. She said: “Separate bathrooms are always a really great idea. Mine is so messy; I’d absolutely hate for my husband to realize just how incredibly untidy I can be.”

British institution, Michael Caine, has also spoke out in favour of second bathroom installation, declaring that having a ‘little boy’s room’, separate to a calming space where the ladies can ‘powder their noses’, is crucial. Caine, who has been married to his wife Shakira for 37 years, said: “The secret to a happy marriage is separate bathrooms. It’s essential. Whenever we stay in a hotel we always get two bedrooms so we can have an extra bathroom. It’s vital to have your own space so you aren’t constantly in each other’s pockets.”

So as discussed before bathroom installation represents an investment, and not simply in monetary terms, it forges solid and long lasting relationships which is surely far more than important than money anyway, although obviously both is a definite bonus.

Here at Access Training we offer industry recognised bathroom installation and plumbing courses, although sadly marital bliss does not come guaranteed. For further information regarding bathroom fitting course please contact us today. Call 0800 345 7492 and enquire about your course today.

In a stark warning from the UK’s building industry, there are currently not enough plumbers, electricians, gas engineers or the required skilled manpower to build and maintain the UK’s infrastructure

We have already mentioned in earlier posts the words of Di Johnson, president of the Electrical Contractors’ Association, who has voiced her concerns about the number of skilled trades people who will be available in the future.

She warned that the failure to invest now may result in a skills crisis, which would take the country years to recover from. Johnson aired her concerns: “there will come a time when we won’t have the skilled resources to deliver major infrastructure projects.

“I work in the electrical industry where the average age is around 45. This is largely the same across much of the craft sector, which means we could face serious problems in five years time as these skilled individuals start retiring from the profession, or look for a less physical office-based job… we simply will not have sufficient numbers to replace them. This will impact hugely on major infrastructure projects. If the nation’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup had been successful I would have had grave concerns about our ability to meet the deadlines.  

“Electrical, heating and ventilating professionals are the frontline troops responsible for delivering the sustainability agenda. These professionals can advise and properly install energy saving technology to ensure maximum efficiency. Without an increase of numbers in these sectors, we will not be able to hit the UK’s ambitious carbon reduction targets.”

Without a doubt, the time is nigh for any individual looking for a change in career to seriously examine the possibility of trades training. Whether you are interested in the electrical or plumbing industry, there are currently widespread opportunities available to those who receive trades training now. Whether they form their own business, or work for an employer, you will be able to secure your long term future, as well as that of the country.
 
To read in more depth the comments made by Di Johnson, please go to votlimum.co.uk. For further information regarding the trades training on offer here at Access, take a look at our plumbing, gas and electrical courses, and you could take great strides in the industry and fulfil your ambitions.

How Can You Become a Plumber in Australia? 

Our plumbing training courses are producing highly skilled individuals, which countries such as Australia are attempting to entice with lucrative offers.

However, becoming a plumber in Australia can be tricky as the opportunities to train and be recognised as a qualified plumber there are very different from the UK.

You'll need to obtain various licenses and certificates need to be issued prior to practicing as a plumber in Australia. So, if you want to appeal to potential employers, you should already hold recognised international qualifications such as a City & Guilds in plumbing or an NVQ2 in plumbing.

How to work as a plumber in Australia

Here at Access Training, we provide courses which will provide you with your plumbing qualifications in no time at all. These qualifications can then be used to become a plumber in Australia.

Browse Plumbing Courses

So if you have aspirations to work abroad as a plumber either now or in the future, get in contact with Access Training. Our beginner's training course in domestic plumbing will put you on your way to finding well-paid work in no time at all.