Barking and Dagenham College students in the Construction, Built Environment and Plumbingsectors are getting a good grounding in mechanical pipe-joining techniques, thanks to the generosity of leading manufacturer, Victaulic. The experience has widened career horizons and improved job prospects for students, giving them skills and knowledge valued by major contractors.

When college instructor, Jim Alder, came across many trainees working with Victaulic systems on site in his role as NVQ assessor, he spotted an opportunity to enrich the learning of his students. A call to Victaulic regional manager, Dennis Roof, asking for a few couplings and fittings, led to the development of a mini-course and a bespoke jig to give students hands-on practice. The set-up includes a nine-metre framework with a ring main and series of risers, incorporating as many types of joints and fittings as possible.

“Dennis ran a ‘show and tell’ session for the teachers and we developed three three-hour lessons for students,” Jim Alder said. “Victaulic have been very generous and supplied us with all the pipe, fittings and a hydraulic grooving machine - everything we needed to run the course.  With their input we’ve managed to put on something that’s cost-effective for the college and useful for students.”

The programme was piloted during 2010/2011 with full-time students on the Level 1 PerformingEngineering Operations (Plumbing) course. Some have since been taken on by major contractors doing large shell and core projects where knowledge of grooved-end mechanical pipe-joining systems is needed.  “With this course we’re opening students’ eyes to other branches of the plumbing industry and making them aware of other fields of employment. Some have got a real buzz from it and decided they want to do commercial work rather than domestic plumbing,” Alder commented.

Having proved its worth, the programme is now being offered to students on the Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Performing Engineering Operations. This academic year some 90 Level 1 students and over 50 Level 2 students will do the programme. “In time we hope to offer it to all our apprentices as a value-added component of our City & Guilds 6189 course,” Alder said. “Hopefully, by next year all of our students will have an introduction and knowledge of Victaulic.”

Victaulic regional manager, Dennis Roof, commented: “Barking and Dagenham College have taken a great initiative in preparing their students for work in the industry, as more and more contractors are choosing Victaulic for their HVAC installations. What they’re doing is beneficial to students and employers alike and we’re very happy to support the college.”

For more information, visit www.victaulic.com