OLCI Construction Training, the UK’s only nationwide training provider, and PTS, a leading UK plumbing and heating merchant, have teamed up to give yet another advantage to OLCI students. The alliance sees all newly trained OLCI students receiving PTS Discount Cards whilst current PTS account holders can now gain exclusive discounts on OLCI training courses.

OLCI students already enjoy significant benefits as a result of state-of-the-art nationwide training centres and flexible study-when-you-want theory modules. Now, this most recent alliance ensures OLCI students enjoy financial benefits too.

Elin Norlin, OLCI Marketing Manager, explains: ‘Teaming up with PTS allows OLCI students to enjoy discounts on their plumbing and heating materials and tools. We believe this added offer enhances our position as the UK’s leading construction training provider and, in this incredibly competitive market, gives our students the advantage they deserve.’ Read more »

Source: City & Guilds’ website:

One of our training providers is the successful leading construction training company OLCI Construction Training, a nationwide organisation with over 13 state-of-the-art centres across the UK.

Customer focus ensures success

Philip Laniado, Managing Director of OLCI, reveals the secrets of the company’s success: ‘OLCI Construction Training has been a City & Guilds accredited assessment centre for several years. We see our businesses as going beyond merely teaching qualifications to solving headaches suffered by many in the plumbing and heating industry. We pride ourselves on being able to offer bespoke qualifications. We work with all companies no matter the size, from those that employ one person to those that employ hundreds! And, regardless the size of the company, we always offer the same service standards.’

‘With each company we look at the training requirements and map the appropriate City & Guilds qualifications and industry standards to their needs. As we have worked in the business for many years we understand the pressures of the construction industry and the need for training to be flexible and relevant. We ensure that each company has their own designated Account Manager, the point of contact regardless of where the company is based or what training they need. We find that this enables us to develop an individual relationship so we can learn more about the business and react quickly where there are new development requirements. Our aim is always to provide the right solutions.’ Read more »

OLCI Construction Training, the UK’s only nationwide construction training provider, has teamed up with Greenbuild Property & Maintenance Ltd., a London-based property and maintenance company, to create a unique 4 to 16 week work experience programme for students. The aim is to develop their plumbing,
electrical or gas engineering skills in real-life work settings. The programme operates as a "working interview" and exceptional students can potentially gain full time employment with Greenbuild.

At a time when university graduate unemployment is high*, OLCI, as a construction training provider, has seized the initiative and built this alliance that means their students can gain valuable work skills, written references to help them progress their career, and maybe even a job at the end of it.

Speaking about the scheme, OLCI Student Development Co-ordinator Rosanne Kincaid-Smith, commented: ‘This represents an exciting opportunity for our students – not only can they receive expert training to help them achieve industry recognised qualifications, but successful students can now experience site life with a fast-moving and exciting company.’ Read more »

Plumbing Trade Supplies has joined forces with OLCI Construction Training to become the sole supplier to our training centres, which means that PTS account customers and OLCI students can now enjoy some exclusive discounts.

As one of the largest plumbing and heating suppliers, PTS supply a comprehensive range of bathroom, heating, plumbing, renewable energy products and genuine spares through a nationwide network of over 300 branches.

With over 30,000 stocked products from over 500 leading manufacturers and an extensive range of own brand products to suit your every need, most products are available direct from the branch or can be ordered for next day delivery. Read more »

Name: Lee Dow
Centre: London
Years with OLCI: 1½

1. What did you do prior to becoming a plumbing and gas tutor?
I went into a plumbing apprenticeship straight out of school – completing 5 years of hard labour!  However, in my early twenties I did go and live in Spain for 5 years developing my plumbing skills, running my own business and generally enjoying life to the full.  I came back around 7 years ago and almost immediately found my way into a further education college where I obtained my teaching certificate and assessor’s award. Read more »