Plumber shortage 'a hazard’

Press, 18 March 1977, Page 3

Plumber shortage ' a hazard’

i PA Hamilton The present shortage of plumbers could lead to pub- : lie health hazards, the president of the Master Plumbers’ I Society (Mr Courtenay I Cooper) said yesterday. He said that the high costs of training apprentices . were passed on to consumers, perhaps causing people to tackle plumbing work themselves. Plumbing done by a non- , registered plumber was illegal because the quality of fresh water and the effectiveness of waste-dis-posal systems involved • (health.

The shortage of plumbers al«o meant that it was difficult for people to get

plumbers to do non-urgent work. “Many plumbers are com-i mitted to urgent work such as clearing blockages and attending to burst pipes,” said Mr Cooper. Many plumbers had gone

Jinto freezing works and (other areas because thev i could get more money there.” i “This has increased the load on contractors,” he said. “It is also a disincentive to take on apprentices.

. “Many contractors feel it is unfair that they should ipay for the cost of training i staff. The community has accepted that academic education should be free for all yet it throws the cost of trade training on to employers.” Mr Cooper said that the society had worked with school careers advisers to attract apprentices. It would ask the Government to allow plumbers to immigrate. “We are also exploring ways to help employers who train apprentices with subI sidy relief or incentive,” I said Mr Cooper, “and we are trying to get facilities in technical institutes for 'plumber and gasfitter trainling improved and standardised.” *'