Award for hard-working tutor who inspires young plumbers
AN Ashbourne-based training centre that develops the next generation of plumbers and heating engineers has received a prestigious award at the 37th Annual Lecture of The Worshipful Company of Plumbers.
Employees from Smart Gas Training & Assessment Centre in the Airfield Industrial Estate, headed to the Royal College of Physicians in London, and tutor Matthew Mellor walked away with the prize for best tutor, awarded by the British Plumbing Employees Council.
Matthew has been delivering the level three Gas Engineering Apprenticeship, helping the next generation of plumbers embark on a career in plumbing and heating.
Host of the event, Nicholas Jones, master of the Royal College of Physicians, said: “This achievement recognises Matthew’s dedication to the next generation of plumbing and heating professionals, by always being contactable, considering students’ wellbeing, integrating real-life stories into his training sessions and this handson approach to work-based training has inspired and benefitted apprentices and employers along the way.”
Upon receiving his British Plumbing Employees Council Award in Excellence, Matthew said: “It’s a real honour to receive this award and to be recognised for my hard work. It is even more pleasing that my students put me forward for this.
“Helping them achieve their diploma in level three Gas Engineering is the most rewarding aspect of the job but it is always a nice bonus to receive an award.”
Smart Gas Training & Assessment Centre was established in 2016 and has been training plumbers and gas engineers from across the East Midlands and beyond.
The centre was founded by directors Patrick O’sullivan and Hon John
It’s a real honour to receive this award and to be recognised for my hard work.
Grocott who say Matthew’s achievement is one of the highlights of Smart Gas’s journey so far. Patrick said: “We are extremely proud of what Matt has achieved, winning this award showcases his dedication to teaching and the development of his students, whilst showing he has a positive impact on the lives of our apprentices and the local community.”
The next cohort of apprentices will be joining Smart Gas in September 2022 with spaces already being filled, however Matthew says there is still room for budding plumbers to join.
He said: “I can’t wait to welcome new faces through the door, it’s always a pleasure to see the development and progress of each student after they start their journey with us.”
Matthew Mellor