Plumbing students thrive in Heritage Skills workshop

Level two plumbing students from Chichester College were given a taste of heritage skills, when they visited Amberely Museum recently.

The workshop is part of a monthly optional visits for students, which are run by the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, and allow students to try their hand at lead casting and led welding.

The Worshipful Company of Plumbers is a charitable institution and one of the oldest livery companies of the City of London. and aims to support and make a difference within the ancient industry of plumbing.

Held in a dedicated hut within the museum’s grounds, the workshops focus on traditional plumbing methods, and feature a variety of displays of the plumber’s craft.

Archie Maitland, a plumbing student who took part on the day, said:
“I thought it would be interesting to see what my chosen course used to be like, before modern innovations.

“It is interesting, I’ve really enjoyed it, I like how it isn’t as conventional as other things and it is quite different, and I’ve never done anything like it before.”

Garry Butcher, plumbing lecturer at Chichester College, added:
“Skills like these are in short supply. I’ve got a passion for these kinds of things, and there is going to be a skills shortage in this sector, so if some students can pick it up and show some interest that would be fantastic.

“At the moment we bring four students over here a month, hopefully in the summer months, when the museum is busier, we may be able to increase that further.

“The students that have come across so far, I would imagine we are up to 30 so far, all of them want to come back.”

To find more about the plumbing courses on offer at Chichester College, visit – https://www.chichester.ac.uk/study-with-us/adults/commercial-courses/gas-and-plumbing-courses/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA5pq-BhBuEiwAvkzVZWbHa1B5aqo5cSiCpK1CWwRHTFIx1U2vlDYHq7T7FKnjGu7TumbO-xoC1VoQAvD_BwE