Plumbing Skills Shortage in the UK

Thinking of a New Career as a Qualified Plumber?

As the skills gap in the UK job market continues to grow, it is important to understand the factors that contribute to the shortage of skilled plumbers.

It is common knowledge that the plumbing industry has been suffering from a lack of skilled people for years. Estimates of the demand will vary, some shortfall numbers predict a shortage as high as 29,000* people and is anticipated that this number will continue to grow.

* Source – The Observer
Supply and Demand

More people leave the industry than join it! An estimated 2,000 people per year enter the plumbing industry whilst 5,000* per year will leave the industry through either retirement, emigration or a variety of other reasons.

* Source – Source Thomas Dudley Ltd
Emigration

Last year 207,000 British citizens – one every three minutes – left the country*. The most popular destinations include Australia, New Zealand and Canada. These countries are crying out for skilled workers and desperately seek skilled people from within the construction industry. They have entry criteria and a proven model of attracting skilled people from other countries including the UK. As more of our skilled workforce leaves these shores, the skills gap continues to grow!

* Source – Daily Telegraph 16/11/07
Housing Shortage

The housing shortage in the UK is well documented. Under existing plans the government expects over one million* new homes to be built over the next decade. Demand for new homes is growing through population growth, more single person households and immigration.

* Source – financemarkets.co.uk December 2007
Attrition Rate amongst School Leavers

There is a high attrition rate amongst school leavers that may join a plumbing course at their local FE College. Many do not finish their course but instead decide to pursue other options before they complete their training. This is not limited to plumbing but across the board – this is not the fault of anybody in particular, lets face it not too many people really know what they want to do for a career at 16-years of age!

Small Business

The industry is mainly comprised of small, micro businesses that employ just one or two people limiting opportunities for school leavers to gain apprenticeships.

New Career as a qualified plumber?

You can see that there are many major factors that contribute to the skills shortage. There has never been a better time to join the plumbing industry. Real opportunities exist for people from all backgrounds to re-train and re-skill in an industry that is recession proof and continuing to grow.

See how a RF Training Plumbing Course can help you launch your new career as a qualified plumber.