Special Award for WorldSkills Plumbing Chief Expert, John Smartt

John Smartt, Past President of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE), has been presented with the St Michael Medallion by The Worshipful Company of Plumbers (WCP). This prestigious award is made to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of Plumbing.

John received the award from Antony Paterson-Fox, Master of the Plumbers’ Company, for his tremendous contribution to plumbing education and training in Ireland. He led the teaching team at the Dublin Institute of Technology in pioneering the development of City & Guilds Higher Professional Diploma Level 4 Building Services Engineering 4467 (Plumbing).

Kevin Wellman, CEO of the CIPHE said: “John deserves full recognition for the work he has done in promoting high standards in training and education, as well as his contribution to WorldSkills competitions. His efforts have also increased the holders of the Master Plumber Certificate considerably in Dublin.” Besides being the Chief Advising Examiner in Plumbing for Ireland’s national Skills competition and Plumbing expert for Team Ireland, John has completed four terms as Chief Expert for Plumbing, ending his spell at the 2011 event held in London. John is a Fellow of the CIPHE and is also a Liveryman of the WCP. He has now retired as head of School Construction at Dublin Institute of Technology.

John gave the following comment:

"The award of the St. Michael Medallion is a very special one to me as it is presented by the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, one of the ancient Craft Guilds of the City of London and I consider that to be honoured in this way is a seal of approval on my career in plumbing and plumbing education and training to date."