Consumer Advice

Strike up a conversation about plumbers and you'll often hear that it can be hard to find a good one. There are approximately 120,000 people who call themselves plumbers in the UK, but sadly not all of these plumbers hold qualifications or experience and so the industry is experiencing a shortage of skilled professionals.

Unfortunately those looking for a plumbing qualification face many problems. There are not enough college places to take on students and not enough plumbing companies able to take on apprentices or students for work based experience. Due to a lack in funding the average plumber may not be able to afford to take on a trainee. To make matters worse, there is little financial help for students over the age of 25 wanting to train in the plumbing industry.

The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering is campaigning to government for better funding of those undertaking plumbing qualifications and help for small businesses wanting to take on apprentices and plumbing students. The IPHE is an advocate of vocational education and welcomes any changes the government makes to introduce vocational education that will benefit consumers and the industry through producing competent plumbers.

A tarnished reputation

The Institute wants all cowboys stopped. Good plumbers are vital to sanitation, clean drinking water and the control of disease. Many of us could not go without the luxuries of hot water and central heating, but yet plumbers are held in a very low regard by some people. This problem is partly caused by the cowboy trades-person. While cowboy trades-people are still in a minority, those that do operate tarnish the reputation of professional plumbers, endanger the public health and can cause damage to properties at much cost.

The Institute is campaigning to government for compulsory registration of all plumbers in the UK. The IPHE believes that registration will help make the cowboy element obsolete, as all Registered Plumbers will have to meet a certain criteria before being allowed to operate as a plumber. It is believed compulsory registration will raise standards of plumbing in the public interest and raise the image, standing and reputation of plumbers and plumbing in the UK.

Unfortunately the problems consumers face in trying to find a competent plumber will only get worse as the shortage of skilled tradespeople deepens. If you are having problems trying to enter the industry, are having problems with cowboys in your area or have something you think your local MP needs to hear on plumbing related matters, make sure your voice is heard.