News From OilFiredUp
RSS
Warm welcome for OFTEC in Cumbria
29th June 2004
The North Lakes Hotel in Penrith, Cumbria was the venue for the most recent Regional Roadshow held by The Oil Firing Technical Association – the training, standards and registration agency for the UK’s oil heating industry.The event attracted installers from across a wide area, with attendees travelling from as far afield as Durham, North Yorkshire, Northumberland with a few even making the trek down from southern Scotland.
OFTEC’s Regional Roadshows provide installers with a unique opportunity to catch up with the latest industry developments and to see the very latest products from some of the biggest names in the UK’s oil heating industry. Exhibitors at the Penrith event included Aga Rayburn, Anglo Nordic, Balmoral Tanks, Boulter Boilers, Danfoss, Esse, Thermacon, Grant Boilers, Harlequin Oil Tanks, Heating World, Petroplus, Teddington Controls, Tocoflo, Warmflow Boilers and Worcester Bosch.
Installers also availed of the opportunity to question OFTEC representatives directly over forthcoming changes to OFTEC installation requirements, product standards and of course the every changing regulatory scene. Bunded tanks and condensing boilers were high on many installers’ agendas. Whilst there was general acceptance amongst installers of the need to further enhance the already strong environmental credentials of the industry, there was general dismay at the implementation and enforcement of regulations by government.
Skills and training issues were also prominent items of discussion, with seemingly universal praise for the OFTEC recognised National Vocational Qualification in Oil Heating, developed in partnership with Cogent SSC and awarded by City & Guilds. In addition to raising the profile of oil heating amongst potential new entrants to the industry, the NVQ should also assist in overcoming some of the financial barriers that prevents ‘young blood’ from entering the industry.
The Penrith Roadshow is the last Roadshow until September, allowing installers and supporting manufacturers a well deserved break, until the next Roadshow, scheduled for Armagh in September. To find out more about when OFTEC is scheduled to visit your area, visit OFTEC Online by clicking the link below. Attendance at OFTEC Regional Roadshows is free to anyone with an interest in oil heating.
