Plumbers today need generic skills as well as technical skills to meet the needs of environmentally sustainable plumbing.
Published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), Plumbing, sustainability and training, by Sian Halliday-Wynes and John Stanwick, examined how the industry is changing, what is driving these changes and what the skilling and training needs are.
It finds that overall technical skills remain largely unchanged, but legislation, regulation and demand from consumers who want water-saving, ‘greener’ plumbing products are driving change in the industry.
To help training keep pace, TAFE trainers include new practices in their courses, drawing on their ongoing involvement in family plumbing businesses, national committees or professional bodies, and being involved in changes to state legislation.
However, the industry faces a dilemma. It is aware that non-technical skills are vital, but updating training qualifications is slow and getting ready qualified plumbers to access training is challenging.
“It’s clear from the interviews in this research that entry-level training at TAFE needs to keep up with what’s happening in the industry and continue to emphasise the fundamentals. It must also provide the generic analytical and communication skills needed to deal with legislation, regulators and increasingly fussy or bewildered customers as well as establishing the foundation for continuing professional development”, said Dr Tom Karmel, Managing Director, NCVER.
“As to up-skilling already qualified plumbers, vendor training is offered by large manufacturers, although such training is often in a sales context.
A more controversial approach would be to make ongoing professional development a condition of registration, as is the case in New Zealand”.
Copies of Plumbing, sustainability and training are available from www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2451.html
Media enquiries: Colleen Young, Marketing Services Manager 08 8230 8400