From these early beginnings we have developed to the stage where a National Vocational Qualification or 'NVQ' can be offered to all employees of any suitable company. In line with the Associations policy of seeking the widest publicity for our projects and products this course is not limited to a 'member only' club. Anyone can join the system and their staff can hold an NVQ Certificate. The Association also recognises and supports the CSCS or Construction Skills Certification Scheme - and with effect from Jan 2003 there will be a route to CSCS Certification via the WJA Training Certificates and 'Industry Accreditation'.

The first Code of Practice was published a few years later in 1982. It was a huge success and has sold thousands of copies around the world. Indeed it has been adopted by other national Associations and even government departments from America to Australia. A new - fully illustrated version of the Code - specifically written for the DRAIN and SEWER sector will be available later this year.

Even in the early 1980's it was clear that there were a number of companies involved in this exciting new technology who were sufficiently altruistic to wish to make sure that "best practice" techniques and applications were a matter of common knowledge - and never part of the rules of a 'private club' or cartel. From its very inception the "Code of Practice" has been available to all-comers - members or not, - competitors or not. As a result of this approach the AHPWJC (as it was known in the early days) was able to build a long-standing relationship with the Health and Safety Executive as well as the PSA and a number of other Public and Local Authorities.

The "Code of Practice" - already in it's fifth edition - has been granted VAT-free status as a Safety publication and is an ISBN designated means that the Code should be available through any public lending library world-wide. The ISBN number is 1 874278 02 4.