Annual Report 2007-08 - Plumbing Industry Commission

New plumbing centre of excellence
raises the bar in industry best
practice and green plumbing
Commission is a good global
citizen
Following a request for assistance from
the Solomon Islands College of Higher
Education in Honiara, the Commission led
an assistance partnership with the World
Plumbing Council and the World Health
Organisation to organise and supply a
training assistance package for plumbers in
the Solomon Islands. The aim was to help
deliver better plumbing standards for the
people of the Solomons.
The project required the supply and
delivery to the training authority in Honiara
a full set of plumbing reference material,
including class sets of the plumbing
technical installation standards AS/NZS
3500, and a World Health Organisation
publication which promotes the critical
link between plumbing and human disease
prevention and improved public health.
Plumbing practitioners in Victoria soon have access to a world
class training facility promoting the latest developments in
industry excellence.
Located in Brunswick, the Plumbing Industry Action Climate Centre
will raise the existing high standard of practice in the Victorian
industry, while also leading the way on green plumbing systems.
Chair, Plumbing Industry Advisory Council, Doug McClusky, said,
‘This Centre will give post-apprentice plumbing practitioners the
most up-to-date education and training available in a hands-on
and practical way. With a Green Star rating being targeted, the
Centre will not only teach practitioners how to incorporate more
sustainable techniques and features into their work, it will also be a
demonstration in itself of the latest in sustainable plumbing systems.’
The Commission assisted the Plumbing Trades Employees Union,
Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia,
Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association of Victoria,
National Fire Industry Association, the Department of Innovation,
Industry and Regional Development and the Building Commission
to construct the facility. It is designed to be a non-commercial
enterprise that will provide economic, social and environmental
benefits for the industry and the wider community.
‘This is a truly innovative concept in training facilities and it will
help us to make the Victorian plumbing industry among the best
in the world,’ Mr McClusky said. ‘We are now going to focus on
promoting the facility widely through the media to ensure that
Victorian practitioners get the most out of it and are aware of all
the opportunities it offers. We hope that the facility will also have
an impact on the current skills shortage in the field.’
INDUSTRY RESPONSIBILITY 27