New Apprenticeship Funding Set to Fill Plumbing Skills Shortage

There’s a real shortage of plumbers in the UK right now. For tradespeople who’ve studied hard for their certificates, are fully qualified for business, and possess expert knowledge in all regulations and byelaws, it’s crucial for them to find apprentices that follow suit.

But that may be easier said than done. Health and safety fines have quadrupled in the past 12 months, with those in the industry fearing skills shortages, Brexit and training courses may be having an impact on apprenticeship quality.

Burst pipes and Brexit

Skills gaps in plumbing are currently aided by access to EU tradespeople. Brexit-bound, the industry faces a lack of uncertainty in non-UK skilled workers, with plans to convert all current EU legislation to UK law as part of The Great Repeal Bill.

Statistics released by the Oxford University’s Migration Observatory detail the drop in the EU citizens registering for National Insurance Numbers. Just over 26,000 registered during the first quarter of 2017 - a whopping plunge from just under 40,000 the year before and the lowest level of registrations since 2004.

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) have warned that construction will grind to a halt if the Government fail to create the millions of apprenticeships promised, in response to the Queen’s Speech delivered 21st June. With the rapid decline in EU workers, careful decisions need to be made in the Government’s approach to the future immigration system and the outcome for business owners.

A shortage of skills

While the number of students applying for plumbing and electrician apprenticeships takes a welcome boost, it’s left a gap in the number of independent, trade-specific assessors. These are fundamental in ensuring the next generation of professional plumbers are fully trained.

Qualified assessors are needed to review work placements, guide students with NVQ portfolios and support their development. Without this support, apprentices and the industry are at risk - small businesses may well hire plumbing apprentices with proper certificates, but pieces of paper are nothing without the skills and experience necessary to follow laws and regulations.

New apprenticeship funding for businesses

To support local tradespeople in bringing more skilled UK workers into the heating and plumbing sector and up the quality of apprentices, a new apprenticeship funding scheme has been introduced by the Government.

In May 2017, the new scheme was brought in to allow employers to choose and pay for apprenticeship training more easily, thanks to a new online service. The funding only supports the English apprenticeship system, so the amount of funds in employer’s accounts will depend on the amount of English employees in their business.

To spend funds in an apprenticeship service account, plumbing businesses will also need to choose a training provider. There are two to choose from:

  • Apprenticeship standards. Standards set out by ‘trailblazers’ (experience-rich, employer-led groups) will show apprentices what they’ll be doing and what core skills, knowledge and behaviours are required of them.
  • Apprenticeship frameworks. A combination of training in both the classroom and work placements, resulting in vocational and professional qualifications.

Smaller companies can often be deterred by the costs of taking on young apprentices, not to mention the paperwork involved - so leading work-based learning providers JTL have provided handy guides to the new rules on their website.

Cover your back

With apprentice-quality dropping comes the increased risk of unexpected claims for compensation against plumbing and heating companies. Taking out plumbing insurance can protect tradespeople from these unforeseen risks and costs, especially small to medium sized businesses who work on domestic or commercial properties.

In the case your company is financially liable for the result of an accident caused by a contractor, insurance providers such as the award-winning Trade Direct Insurance can give peace of mind, covering up to £15,000 in tools cover and public liability cover of up to £5m.

The average sum paid out in health and safety fines is now close to a quarter of a million pounds - four times the average cost of 2015. It sends a big message to both small businesses and large corporations: ensuring employees are fully experienced in the risks and regulations of the trade is fundamental in protecting your business. For the accidents you can’t control, make sure you’re one step ahead with a solid public liability insurance cover.