The peak industry body for plumbers has welcomed a new TAFE NSW Maitland course aimed at giving locals a leg-up into a plumbing career and addressing a crippling skills shortage in the sector.

 

The fee-free Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-Apprenticeship) has kicked off in Maitland and will give students practical, handson skills and basic theory, while allowing them to earn industry recognised credentials that can lead to an apprenticeship and future employment.

 

Declining apprenticeship numbers, an ageing workforce, major infrastructure projects, and urban expansion have all been cited as reasons for a skills shortage in the plumbing industry. Plumbing was also on the Federal Government’s Core Skills Occupations List, released in December, which outlined the jobs where the skills shortage was so dire, imported workers were needed.

 

Master Plumbers NSW President Greg McElroy praised the new TAFE NSW Maitland course, saying it would expose more people to the trade and help them decide if they wanted to make a career from plumbing.

 

“There’s huge demand for skilled plumbers right now and once you’ve done an apprenticeship, the world is your oyster,” Mr McElroy said.

 

“The days of tradies being those who failed at school are long gone. The modern plumber has to have the skills but also the smarts to potentially start their own business and be an entrepreneur.

 

“It’s great TAFE NSW is running this course and helping whet the appetite of students so they can determine whether it’s the right career path for them.”

 

Plumbing contributes 9% to Australia’s GDP and supports thousands of trade jobs in Australia.