RELEASE No: BIRCHCROFT 108 : April 2006

BIRCHCROFT PLC LAUNCHES NEW AWARDS SCHEME FOR ASPIRING GAS ENGINEERS

Birchcroft plc has announced the launch of the John Curtis Awards - a new scheme designed to help produce a new generation of Qualified Gas Engineers. A 6-month traineeship, with pay, will be won by each of three individuals selected from all nominees and individual applicants for the Awards. Each Award is worth over £10,000.

The Awards are a tribute to the memory of John Curtis who founded Birchcroft in 1986. Following spectacular growth to its present size and reputation, the Company has decided to help address the industry's shortage of qualified gas engineers as part of a wider "Getting to Grips with Gas" [3Gs] Birchcroft Training initiative. Under the Awards scheme, Birchcroft will fully-fund the training of a select number of deserving candidates who are aiming for full CORGI-Registered status.

The successful candidates will enroll with Birchcroft Training, at the Company's purpose-built, CITB-registered facility in Romford, Essex, and undergo full theoretical practical and practical training to full ACS level. This will incorporate actual on-site experience of working with gas, under the supervision of engineers from Birchcroft Contracting and Gas Maintenance. These sister arms of Birchcroft plc mean that Birchcroft Training is uniquely-placed in the South-East to provide this level of training fully-integrated with real-time experience of live projects.

The Award winners will be selected from all applicants and nominees who meet the minimum qualifying standards. To be considered, they must comply with CORGI's Category 2 requirements, with qualifications in associated trades such as NVQ Level 2 in plumbing or the equivalent City & Guilds grade, but they are not required to have an existing proven record of working with gas.

The successful candidates will have to come through a number of selection stages. First, they have to complete an application form and written submission to explain why they are applying. Short-listed applicants will then be invited to the Birchcroft Training Centre for a written multiple-choice test and practical assessment. Selected finalists will then face an informal interview with the Birchcroft selection panel. To win one of the three Awards, they must convince the panel that they have the genuine determination and character to complete the course, and commitment to do the necessary supplementary study work.

Each Award-winner will receive a minimum of 26 weeks of supervised training. This starts 'in the classroom' with theoretical and practical instruction, and periodic assessment. Full Health & Safety training and testing under the CSCS Scheme will be the first element of the course. Later in the course, they will get hands-on site experience under the supervision and direction of a Birchcroft CORGI Registered Engineer - covering all aspects of domestic gas work, including boiler servicing, Gas Safety checks, new heating installations and boiler replacements. On successful completion of the course, each trainee will have achieved full ACS standard and be ready to apply for full CORGI Registration.

As well as free training, John Curtis Award-winners will receive pay (at standard industry rates for NVQ Plumbing Level 2) for the duration of their course - including some paid holiday. Birchcroft will also pay for their initial CORGI registration. All candidates will receive special Birchcroft "Getting to Grips with Gas" [3Gs] diplomas. The outstanding candidate in each year will also receive the Birchcroft "3Gs Trophy" to mark his or her achievement.

Linda Curtis, Director of Birchcroft, whose late husband is remembered via the Awards, stresses that this is a Birchcroft initiative to benefit the industry as a whole - and one that will continue beyond this inaugural year:
"This is not about recruiting personnel for Birchcroft. This is an ongoing award, which we hope will produce several newly qualified engineers to enter the industry as fully-fledged CORGI Registered Gas Engineers each year. We will be actively encouraging other companies to take these engineers on after they have completed their training. And, yes - that includes our competitors !"

Selection of the three 2006 Award winners will take place during May - and their training will begin in June.

For further information and details about the John Curtis Awards, call Suzy Page, on 01708 349 625 or visit the Birchcroft website at www.birchcroft.co.uk