The JIB-PMES is pleased to have worked with JTL to help produce a new report which re-enforces concerns regarding the difficulties young people are currently facing when it comes to accessing quality plumbing and heating apprenticeships.
The report highlights:
• A massive disparity between the high number of ‘classroom-based’ plumbing and heating qualification completions (which in most cases do not lead to industry employment) and the low number of plumbing and heating apprenticeship completions. This situation is completely unsustainable and represents poor use of government funding.
• Urgent action is needed to help support employers and the apprenticeship training delivery network to deliver new Level 2 and Level 3 plumbing and heating apprenticeship standards which are due to be introduced in England during 2027.
Other key points from the report and its accompanying workforce projection model and are summarised below:
• 25,700 plumbers have left the trade since 2018
• Numbers could fall by a further 30% by 2039 on current trends
• JTL is calling on the Government to raise SME apprenticeship incentives, designate plumbing a priority occupation, and remove the delay to new apprenticeship standards.
The JIB-PMES supports the call made by JTL and re-iterates the point that action needs to be taken swiftly to address the identified issues.
The full report can be accessed on the JTL website via this link: https://jtltraining.com/news/new-jtl-plumbing-workforce-projection-model-warns-plumbing-shortage-could-threaten-housebuilding-and-clean-energy-ambitions/