A COLLEGE has been credited it as an approved training centre for plumbing and heating.

The national president of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), Kevin McCallister, presented Eastleigh College with the accreditation at a recent ceremony.

It means the centre meets professional standards of training.

Students will now have access to trainee memberships with CIPHE, bursaries, career pathway development opportunities and certified e-learning modules.

Alison Leaverland, head of technology at Eastleigh College accepted the plaque. She said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been recognised by the professional body for plumbing and heating engineering.

"Technology subjects, such as plumbing and heating, are an exciting area of investment for us as a college and receiving this status clearly shows that our training really does provide those essential skills to thrive in the industry.”

During the event and after a tour of the college’s workshops, Mr McCallister said: “I have looked around some training centres that have been very sparse and I have been around some very good ones, for me this would be up there.

"We are very pleased to present this status, which recognises the college’s commitment to meeting professional industry standards, and to meet with their students who have shown such enthusiasm.”