Modern Building Services

14 MODERN BUILDING SERVICES SEPTEMBER 2021 FEATURE HEATING I t’s no secret that big changes are coming to the plumbing and heating industry. With the vast advancements in technology in the past decade and new environmental targets that must be met in the coming years, the future of the heating and plumbing industry has shifted along with the expectation of the modern installer. Plumbers will have to adopt the installation of innovative solutions, such as heat pumps, which are increasingly regarded as the new standard for heating systems within homes, whilst also being able to integrate new technologies into a house’s smart ecosystem. This will require additional training for those already within the industry and will influence the way new apprentices are taught. On top of this, the government has set out targets of 300,000 new homes a year by 2025 and 600,000 heat pumps installed in existing homes by 2028. While radical targets are needed to reach net-zero by 2050, there is already a notable skill shortage within the industry, meaning significant recruitment and change is needed within the heating and plumbing industry to begin preparing for the inevitable demand expected in the next decade. Understanding the skill shortage There have been several contributing factors to the current skill shortage within the industry, with the first, and probably most prominent factor being the lack of uptake from the younger generation at becoming trained in trade skills. Quite often, schools put forward university as the model route for students, ensuring they get the highest level of education. This impacts the appeal of taking less conventional routes like becoming trained in a specific trade, dissuading students from considering alternative career paths available to them. This issue is exacerbated as COVID-19 has had a significant impact on aspiring plumbing and heating engineers’ ability to learn from experienced professionals in the field. Naturally, some homeowners feel uncomfortable having two people attending a house to fix a problem that could be addressed by just one person, which has limited the opportunities for young professionals to learn on the job. Combine the slow uptake from young installers with the retirement of skilled tradespeople and the problem is catalysed even further; not only is there reduced interest from young aspiring heating and plumbing engineers but there is also the limited number of skilled tradespeople to pass on knowledge to the next generation. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that the average age of a plumber within the UK is within the mid-40s – a worrying statistic when the pool of skilled workers isn’t being fully replenished by young plumbing professionals. The new expectation on skilled professionals For those already in the industry, rapidly changing legislation and technology often leaves existing installers missing key skills and knowledge needed for essential work. Using the rapid adoption of smart appliances as an example, it’s not simply a case of a plumber connecting up a boiler to a central heating system; they must also be able to integrate the boiler into the house’s existing smart ecosystem. It’s nowmore crucial than ever that heating and plumbing engineers ensure skillsets are continually updated. Not only will this maximise opportunities, but also better place them for the expected changes coming to the industry. In recent years, there has been growing concern for the plumbing industry’s skills shortage. John Kerr , Marketing Director at RWC, shares his insights into the current issue and what needs to be addressed to accommodate the industry’s growth and the significant changes expected in the next decade. It’s time to solve the skills shortage in the plumbing industry HEATING