Bishop Auckland College has established a modern new Gas and Plumbing Centre at South West Durham Training on Aycliffe Business Park.
Natalie Davison Principal/Chief Executive Bishop Auckland College said:
“Thanks to all the staff and all their hard work for getting it ready on time. The Gas assessment went extremely well and we are now open for business.
In addition, to the new Gas Centre, the College has provided Plumbing training and apprenticeships for local companies for over 50 years and this new initiative and investment will support more companies with their bespoke training needs now and in the future.
I would like to thank Ray Dobson Director of Hewitt’s, our guest of honour for officially opening the centre.
Hewitt’s Plumbing and Heating, are one of the largest, if not the largest employers in Bishop Auckland and we are proud to have supported their apprentices over the years.
Ray Dobson said: “I’m delighted to be here to officially open the new plumbing and gas centre. Hewitt’s have a long standing relationship with the College, training apprentices.
This new development will enable lots of business to access plumbing and gas training within the local area.
Congratulations and well done”.
Tom Malone, from Newton Aycliffe a former Woodham Comprehensive School pupil has been employed by the College since October 2015 as a plumbing technician after starting as a full time plumbing student in 2014. Having left school in 1998, Tom went into warehousing for seven years before spending several years travelling abroad which took him as far afield as America, Australia and New Zealand. Upon his return home he set his sights on training to become a qualified plumber.
Tom said: “It was great for me that during my plumbing course, I was successful in getting the technician’s job at the college. Since being here I have been involved in the development of the new plumbing and gas centre which trains level 2 and 3 students and apprentices and now provides the domestic core safety and appliances training”.

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IN PHOTO:College Principal Natalie Davison with Ray Dobson who officially opened the new Centre

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IN PHOTO: Tom Malone (second right) with trainees in the workshop

Rachael Duff

Contact Racheal Warters Careers Advisor for Plumbing if you are interested in the course. The College also has special offers for local plumbers in domestic and core gas safety training. Contact details: 01325 313194. E-mail: gascentre@bacoll.ac.uk