Centre plugs plumber shortage

A new training centre for plumbers opens in Ceredigion

A local authority has moved to plug the gap in the plumbing market with a new training centre in Aberystwyth.

Ceredigion County Council has received £192,000 funding to develop a section of the Llanbadarn Construction Training Centre in the town.

The move, supported by European Objective 1 money and a local regeneration grant, has been prompted by a shortage of plumbers in the north of the county.

The Construction Industry Training Board estimates that up to 1,350 plumbers need to be recruited in Wales over the next three years to meet demand.

A council spokeswoman said: "The apprentices will no longer have to travel over two hours to the Pembrokeshire College, in Haverfordwest, and training can now be provided locally in Aberystwyth to meet the needs of local building industry."

I suppose plumbing isn't perceived as a sexy trade or profession and people have thought 'why should I go out at 7am and get wet, when I could be a web designer' Kevin Wellman, The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering

The centre will provide City and Guilds NVQ training and qualifications and entry routes into the profession.

The new centre was officially opened by Welsh education minister Jane Davidson on Thursday.

Survey

The new plumbing course hopes to train 40 apprentices a year

Hyfforddiant Ceredigion Training will recruit 40 apprentices to fill the skills gap in plumbing in the north of the county.

It conducted a survey of plumbers to find out what training courses they would prefer in the Aberystwyth area.

The results also showed that the local tradespeople wanted more help with eco-plumbing and solar heating systems - and this is reflected in the new centre's courses.

The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering said there were many reasons why there was a skills shortage in the industry.

"I suppose plumbing isn't perceived as a sexy trade or profession and people have thought 'why should I go out at 7am and get wet, when I could be a web designer,'" said Kevin Wellman, the institute's operations director.

"There is a shortage of good quality plumbers in urban areas, but it must be worse in rural areas.

"It seems the new training centre in Aberystwyth has everything in place for it to be a success."