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Education and training
Almost all employees are qualified to at least NVQ level 2. Relatively few employees hold qualifications above NVQ level 4. However, there are more people working in plumbing and heating who are qualified to at least NVQ level 2 and 3 than in the whole construction industry.
About 5.6% of the workforce within plumbing and 8.2% of the heating and ventilation workforce are trainees.
Source: CITB-ConstructionSkills 2003, table 5
Qualification level in plumbing and heating, 2003
Source: Compiled from CITB-ConstructionSkills 2003, table 5
Barriers to education and training
Size and structure of the sector (mainly micro-business and self-employment) and lack of funding restricts training due to high costs involved and business uncertainties.
Although there is a need for training because of technology changes, employer confidence in the structure, focus, quality and relevance of initial skills training is declining. Employers do not regard NVQ/SVQ operating principles as sitting comfortable within the sector.
Reluctance to invest in the training of own staff and low levels of unemployment in the industry leads to strong competition within the external labour market.
Growth of ‘fast track courses’ stimulated by press attention to skill shortages and potentially enormous salaries has led to an inappropriate low level of qualifications and damaged the industry’s image in the public.
There is a need to establish or improve links with schools and colleges.
The poor image of the industry leads to problems in recruiting qualified new entrants (school-leavers)
Sources: PHIA news 2004, BPEC 2000c and DfEE 2000
Plumbing Modern Apprenticeship
The preferred route of training within the industry is the Modern Apprenticeship (MA). Most Apprentices join the industry at the age of 16 or 17 and train for approximately 4 years. Applicants normally need to have achieved three GCSEs grade A*- C (in English, Maths and Science) and pass a selection test.
Modern Apprentices will enable full achievement of Plumbing NVQ Level 3. The current framework includes certification related to all current requirements of competence. In addition, all Modern Apprentices will need to take independent assessments on Health and Safety as well as on regulations to complete the NVQ at Level 3.
Mature Modern Apprenticeships are currently being introduced in some parts of the UK. The timescale will usually be reduced according to the maturity of the individual and the transfer of existing skills gained in previous work.
Source: SummitSkills 2004
Click here for the City and Guild learners guides to a career in plumbing.
The ESTTL Sector Workforce Development Plan (2002) lists available qualifications in the heating sector. Further frameworks for advanced modern apprenticeship can be downloaded at the ESTTL website and the SummitSkills website.
For more information on entry qualifications, apprenticeships and training for specific employment in plumbing and mechanical services see the career developemnt map:
Last cached: 2008-05-08 05:34 PM