Are we training too many plumbers?

[fuzzy]

Hi All,

This is a quote from the TES website

"Do we really have a demand-led system? What percentage of the statistics above could be down to supply-led initiatives by colleges? - for example, 48,000 did a technical certificate in plumbing in 2007. These plumbing courses are marketed by colleges who seem to have no regard for the supply and demand of the labour market; where do all these partially trained plumbers go? We only need 2,000 plumbers per year! If you are a plumbing apprentice and have had to go back to college to complete your apprenticeship on a 'programme-led' scheme, you must wonder why the evening courses are packed with adults wanting to become plumbers - seems odd that colleges are still pushing plumbing courses, whilst taking back apprentices that have been made redundant. It is reported here that we have a demand-led system, so where will all the plumbing employers come from to meet the ‘supply’ generated by colleges?"​

What do we make of these figures?​

 

[Blackcatgas]

I dont think that there has been a shortage of skilled trades since the second world war. There is now a surplace of tradesman, not alot of them skilled.

Hi All,

This is a quote from the TES website

"Do we really have a demand-led system? What percentage of the statistics above could be down to supply-led initiatives by colleges? - for example, 48,000 did a technical certificate in plumbing in 2007. These plumbing courses are marketed by colleges who seem to have no regard for the supply and demand of the labour market; where do all these partially trained plumbers go? We only need 2,000 plumbers per year! If you are a plumbing apprentice and have had to go back to college to complete your apprenticeship on a 'programme-led' scheme, you must wonder why the evening courses are packed with adults wanting to become plumbers - seems odd that colleges are still pushing plumbing courses, whilst taking back apprentices that have been made redundant. It is reported here that we have a demand-led system, so where will all the plumbing employers come from to meet the ‘supply’ generated by colleges?"​

What do we make of these figures?​

In 10 years nearly 1% of the population will be a plumber.

 

[dontknowitall]

1%? Perhaps 1% will call themselves a plumber - maybe 0.1% WILL be a plumber

;-)

 

[REDSAW]

1%? Perhaps 1% will call themselves a plumber - maybe 0.1% WILL be a plumber

;-)

and based on those figures in just one year if every 'trained' plumber was trading then each whould have just 1,000 customers each?.

this is why i am trying to do the survey to understand the figure ballance.
have you done yours yet?.

THE AVERAGE PLUMBER SURVEY

 

[Blackcatgas]

The thing is aswell, (and this is just a guess as Iam unsure of the age /sex demographics of our country), take into account the people of the correct age tobe working, so dicount 0-15yr olds and 65+, people who cant work through disabilities etc then maybe 20,000000 people are working then 5% of people will be plumbers in 10 years.

 

[realitybites]

10 years from now more plumbers than postmen, who will be earning a premium salary due to the scarcity............I may just stay where I am

 

[Smcart5]

If by training you mean a city and guilds 6128 course then yes.

 

[Puddle]

They say within ten years time you will never be further away than 20 feet from a plumber
Like now we have pest control,there will be plumber control,same thing some may say
They will be a scratching at peoples doors,leaving ptfe and solder droppings all over the place

 

[pauls]

i know they are figures for new entrants but i wonder if there are figures for people who do the course and then try to get into the trade but then fall by the way side

 

[Blackcatgas]

i know they are figures for new entrants but i wonder if there are figures for people who do the course and then try to get into the trade but then fall by the way side

Yes, more pain in the rse customers who will be watching over my shoulder telling me how to do my job "because they did a 12wk course in 2009" and therfore know how it should be done.