Is there a shortage of Plumbers?

The simple answer is yes, there is a shortage of good plumbers and most of the other associated trades. Back in early 2001 the Construction Industry Training Board  (CITB) predicted that 5000 new plumbers would be needed in the UK each year for the next five years to replace people retiring from the trade. Currently only about 2000 people start to train to become plumbers each year. Consequently there is a large and growing skills shortage! The CITB predicts that 29,000 extra plumbers will be needed by 2007.

The traditional route into plumbing was for a young person to complete an apprentership, this route all but died out during the 1990's as funding and college places were reduced. Fortunately the apprentice route has made a limited come back but it will not solve the growing skills shortage as 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. In addition, due to a lack in funding the average plumber may not be able to afford to take on a trainee.

Because of the current shortage there are many great opportunities for a Plumber. Plumbing skills are needed for a whole range of activities in both domestic and commercial properties including; new bathrooms, re-fitting kitchens, maintenance of toilets, taps, hot & cold water systems, and maintenance of central heating systems.

Today there are approximately 28 million houses and over 2 million commercial premises in the UK - that's a lot of bathrooms, kitchens, heating systems and toilets!