With the
implementation of the 2006 Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act due to take
effect from April 2010, it will be a requirement for all Plumbers and
Drainlayers to undertake approved courses each year in order to maintain their
annual licences. This brings them into line with gasfitters, who have had such
a system now for several years. Several thousand tradesmen will be required to
undertake up-skilling for the first time, with only a limited number of courses
on offer.
A number
of organisations (suppliers, manufacturers etc) have expressed interest in
offering courses eligible towards the points system, but are unsure how to go
about designing such a course and having it approved. Many are also unsure
about their capacity to deliver such courses.
With over
thirty years practical experience and over twelve years at tertiary level in
the education and training of apprentices, I am able to offer a new service to
those in this situation. If you are interested in your organisation becoming
involved in offering up-skilling courses, I will meet with you to discuss
options, which range from critiquing or updating existing offerings, to a
complete development proposal with optional delivery of the courses if
required. Please contact me for an obligation free estimate of costs.
Staff training and instruction writing.
New
Zealand has one of the most complex and misunderstood regulatory frameworks in
the world as regards buildings and building services, with the plumbing and
gasfitting industries being the most complex of all. When dealing with
practitioners or members of the public, a proper understanding of the various
Acts and Regulations, combined with the performance based codes from the
Building Act, is essential when recommending solutions or giving advice. We are
able to offer in-house training courses custom designed for manufacturers or
suppliers of goods and services, with a variety of options available.
Many
installation or customer instructions relate to overseas regulatory situations,
or are simply translations of the original instructions.They are often misleading or use unfamiliar
or incorrect terminology, which leads to incorrect installation techniques or
practices. We are able to offer a technical writing service, to simplify and
clarify these important documents.
It is
worth noting that the new Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act mentioned
above will make many fundamental changes to the industry, including new
categories of qualifications, and new definitions of sanitary plumbing and
gasfitting, which will have a significant effect on both practitioners and
members of the public.
Investigations and complaints.
An
increasing number of complaints are being investigated and prosecuted by local
authorities and the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board due to faulty
installations. Customer complaints regarding shoddy workmanship or illegal
practices can also involve manufacturers and suppliers, and there is often a
dispute over whether the material (or appliance) is faulty, or the
installation. Fluid Consulting and Compliance offers a neutral expert
investigation service which will report on the problem, giving a concise
analysis of the issues with a view to early and inexpensive resolution. In the
event the matters lead to legal action, we can provide expert testimony for any
action taken. We do not take sides in these matters, simply providing a written
report able to be used by any party, with a level of detail depending on the
circumstances.
If you
have any questions regarding these services, or wish to discuss any aspect of
our services, please contact me as detailed above to discuss the many options.
