NEWS
GASSUPPLIERREMOVESADVERT FOLLOWINGOFTECCOMPLAINT
Grant has announced new dates for its popular heat pump and oil boiler courses at its on-site Training Academy in Birr, Co. Offally, and the addition of a brand-new course to its growing training portfolio. The oil burner course has been developed for technicians who are experienced working within the heating industry and looking to further their knowledge on domestic oil burners. It is the first course within the Grant Training Academy portfolio that will require a small payment to secure a space. However, those who sign up can feel assured that it will be money well spent as the course will cover all areas associated with domestic oil burners including: how they operate, the basics of combustion, how to use test equipment, how to test for faulty components, flue gas analysis, burner commissioning and more. Grant’s on-site training courses take place at the company’s state-of-the-art training facilities which opened at the start of last year and run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am – 4.00pm. Each course has been developed by Grant’s specialist training team to further educate those working in the heating trade throughout Ireland on the manufacturer’s range of innovative heating technologies. * Training courses will go ahead in line with the government’s Covid-19 guidelines and are subject to change if necessary. Visit www.grant.eu for further details. GRANT LAUNCHES NEWOILBURNER COURSEAT TRAININGACADEMY
OFTEC lodged a complaint with the ASA over claims Firmus made in an advertisement that households who switch to natural gas from home heating oil emit 48% less Carbon Dioxide (CO2). The advert also contained a graphic that stated, “48% less carbon emissions than oil.” OFTEC proved, using Government-approved data that the difference is only 29.5% and not 48% as claimed by Firmus. Upon investigation by the ASA, it became apparent that Firmus had not used a like-for-like comparison between oil and gas but had compared a modern gas boiler with an old, inefficient oil boiler. The ASA told gas supplier Firmus Energy it must
David Blevings, OFTEC Ireland Manager.
have evidence of claims it makes in any of its adverts. Firmus has now agreed to remove the claim and has undertaken to seek copy advice on future claims they make with the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP). OFTEC Ireland Manager, David Blevings said, “We believe it’s in the best interests of consumers and the industry that all energy companies behave responsibly and are brought to account when they do not.” For more information on OFTEC, visit: www.oftec.org
TALKSONNI PLUMBING TRAINEESHIP
Serious concerns about training in the plumbing and heating sector in Northern Ireland will continue to be addressed after a high-level Ministerial meeting in the Legislative Assembly in October attended by the Scotland and Northern Ireland Joint Industry Board (SNIJIB) and other industry bodies. The industry has raised strong objections that the Department for the Economy (DfE) in Northern Ireland intends to go ahead this autumn with plans for a two-year traineeship which, it is feared, will create first-class and second-class qualifications which will be detrimental to safety, skills and quality. However, after discussions between Gordon Lyons, Minister of the Economy, and his team and SNIJIB, the Electrical Contractors’ Association, Unite the Union, the Scottish and Northern Ireland Joint Industry Board
Stephanie Lowe, Secretary of the SNIJIB and Industrial Relations Manager for SNIPEF and Fiona Hodgson, CEO at SNIPEF.
and the Joint Industry Board, it was agreed to hold a further meeting. Stephanie Lowe, Secretary of the SNIJIB and Industrial Relations Manager for SNIPEF, said it was “a positive development” and a “step in the right direction.” Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of SNIPEF, added, “SNIPEF wants to support young people on their pathway into the industry, but they must be properly trained and qualified in the interests of safety and the maintenance of skill levels.” For further information, visit www.snipef.org
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PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE | 5
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