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Sector information
The plumbing and heating sector provides a range of services to the construction industry and to various kinds of industrial, commercial, retail and domestic clients. Work in the sector includes:
- water, sanitation and drainage systems
- gas, electricity and other fuels, controls, hot and cold water
- sheet metal flashings
- heating and ventilation
- refrigeration
- air conditioning
- heat recovery and energy management
- fire protection pipework
- service, maintenance and facilities management
Electricians are also sometimes included in the sector, so some caution is required when interpreting data.
SummitSkills is the Sector Skills Council for the Building Services Engineering sector. The British Plumbing Employers Council (BPEC) is the recognised training organisation for the plumbing industry. Engineering Services Training Trust Limited (ESTTL) is the national training organisation recognised for the heating and ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration sector of industry. All these bodies have information on the sector.
Source: SummitSkills website 2004, ESTTL 2002a, ESTTL 2002b and BPEC 2000c
Employment in the sector
The UK’s plumbing and heating sector has an annual turnover of £9.78 billion and a net turnover output (excluding sub-contracting) of £6.33 billion. Together with the electro-technical industry it represents between 2% and 3% of the gross domestic product.
The sector is affected by changes in many other domestic, commercial and industrial environments in the UK as well as changes in the construction industry. The plumbing and heating industry has experienced many technological changes, particularly relating to the introduction of energy efficient systems and environmentally friendly processes.
About 60% of the workforce are self-employed or work in small businesses. Whilst there are relatively few large employers, some are international organisations. Also, about 22% of the workforce is employed in sectors outside construction such as the prison service, local government, education or the health service.
Employment within the sector is expected to increase in most parts of the UK. Only in North Ireland is a decline of total employment expected.
Source: Summitskills website 2004, CTIB 2003, ESTELL 2002b and BPEC 2000c
Projected employment levels and change in plumbing 2002-2007
Source: Compiled from CITB-ConstructionSkills 2003, tables 17-20
Skill shortages and skill gaps
Increased regulatory demands, technological change and regulatory pressure have affected the plumbing and heating industry in recent years. As a result, companies have changed their outlook and culture in relation to skill development and qualification achievement.
Recent publicity about the shortage of skilled plumbers has lead to an increasing number of applicants wishing to enter plumbing. The shortage is concentrated currently on fully qualified plumbers (i.e. qualified to NVQ Level 3).
Skill gaps in the plumbing sector are linked to the introduction of regulations such as the Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS), water regulations, and are a result of product development.
In the heating sector, skill gaps are more evident in larger companies. They occur in occupations such as:
- refrigeration, air conditioning, industrial refrigeration engineers
- business managers
- service and maintenance engineers
- apprentices/trainees
- heating and ventilation fitters
- fitter/welder
Source: SummitSkills 2004, ESTTL 2002b, BPEC 2000c and BPEC 2000a
See Regional dimension for more information on regional skill shortages.
Last cached: 2008-05-07 04:58 PM