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Recent technological changes have made plumbing increasingly diverse, with more ways to achieve a sound, finished project. The basic, tried-and-true skills of properly trained plumbers have not changed a great deal and are easily transferred to new products and materials. We have seen a trend towards specialisation within the industry - in cottage, industrial or commercial work, or simply concentrating on roof plumbing, gas work, drainage or design. We have also experienced a move towards industry deregulation and restructuring, with the emphasis on breaking the trade into an area of smaller, specific tasks. The need for fully qualified, multi-skilled artisans is reduced, and into their place comes the fully qualified 'tap washer replacer', 'dishwasher installer' and 'water service rough-in specialist'. Specialisation is already happening in the metal trades and the automotive industry. But, their customers generally come to the specialist; in plumbing, we go to the customer. Imagine the cost if all these plumbing specialists were involved in the construction of a house. Don't forget that the plumbing industry already has those who are trained specifically in the area of water main drilling and tapping. They at least have some background in the plumbing trade before their short course. There is no doubt that they are proficient at their work, but how long will it be before some of them want to diversify into other areas of the plumbing trade? The plumbing trade has long been a strong, unified industry, protective of its history and skills, and has resisted moves by outside organisations to take control of it. Its tradition of the 'master' training the 'apprentice' has passed the skills down the ages. Over the years, there has also been the need for a formalised training system as well as on-the-job training. This formalisation training has taken place at a technical college. Obviously, your views on this type of training will depend on your own experiences. But, there is a need for formalised education and training to at least maintain some consistency in industry training and help pass on skills.
TAFE TRAINING
TRADE CERTIFICATE COURSE The six modules are:
TAFE teaches the basic principles and the theoretical background essential for each module. The apprentice gains the information relating to each module in the 85% of on-site training given by the 'master'.
Those working in TAFE have very little or no control over who attends the college; they do not select the apprentices, the employers do. So, the variety of apprentices who attend TAFE are as diverse as the plumbing trade itself.
if the apprentice lacks some of the basic educational skills, such as mathematics and english, they are immediately at a disadvantage. While TAFE has facilities to help the slower learners, not many people take advantage of the offer and they cannot be forced to accept this help.
As a consequence, the failure rate might at times be quite high, but the educational system should not lower its standard as this would lower the overall standard in the plumbing industry. Maybe it is the plumber/employer's responsibility to be more selective when taking on an apprentice.
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