IfL deputy chief elected vice-president of CIPHE

Friday 2 July 2010

The deputy chief executive of the Institute for Learning (IfL), the independent professional body for teachers and trainers throughout the further education and skills sector, has been elected vice-president of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), the professional body for the UK plumbing and heating industry, for a one-year term.

Lee Davies, who joined IfL in 2004, started his career in plumbing as an indentured apprentice with Portsmouth City Council in the early 1980s. Having successfully completed his advanced plumbing qualifications at Highbury College Portsmouth, he started teaching part-time evening classes and progressed to a full-time teaching position at the college.

"I joined the Institute of Plumbing (as it was then) in 1983 because I was inspired to do so by one of my college lecturers, who felt that belonging to the professional body would help trainee plumbers acquire the knowledge needed to be successful," said Mr Davies. "I believe passionately that this advice holds true today, perhaps more than ever, given the pace of technological change in the industry. I will make engaging with trainee and newly qualified plumbers and heating engineers a central theme this year."

Toni Fazaeli, IfL's chief executive, said, "Lee's election as vice-president of the CIPHE highlights the distinctive nature of teaching and training in further education and skills. As dual professionals, our members are expert not only in teaching and training methods, but also in their subject or vocational area. Many IfL members also have membership of the professional bodies for their specific subject, trade or vocational area.

"Teachers and trainers who are members of both IfL and the CIPHE have the important role of training and educating the next generation of plumbers, heating engineers, designers and consultants. The general public can be reassured to know that both professional bodies place a strong emphasis on their respective codes of professional standards, and on continuing professional development (CPD), to ensure that their members stay up-to-date with technical innovations, new developments and other changes. Lee's parallel contributions to our two organisations will serve to demonstrate the value and importance of dual professionalism and of teaching and training in our sector."

Blane Judd, chief executive of the CIPHE, said, "We’re working hard to drive up standards within the plumbing and heating engineering industry and top quality, relevant and realistic training is paramount to ensure the next generation of professionals can meet today’s environmental and technological challenges. We’re delighted to have an expert of Lee’s calibre as vice-president of the Institute and look forward to his valuable input over the coming year.”

About the CIPHE

Founded in 1906, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is the professional body for the UK plumbing and heating industry. For further information, visit www.ciphe.org.uk