Manifesto: Levelling up

APPRENTICESHIPS

A significant skills crisis continues to impact the plumbing and heating industry, and shows little sign of improving. The high volume of people needed to join the sector, coupled with the 25% decline in college enrolments over the past 12 months, highlights the desperate need for a Level 2 apprenticeship, which would not only create an additional entry point, but also do something to encourage employers to take on an apprentice.

The CIPHE recently worked alongside the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) and Skills England to conduct an education survey, which found that 89% of employers and educators would support a Level 2 qualification in domestic plumbing.

The findings from the research and qualitative insights from an Employers’ Group established by the CIPHE resulted in IfATE asking the Institute to develop new Level 2 & 3 qualifications. The CIPHE is currently working with the industry and government to develop the qualifications and maintain ‘fit for purpose’ education that will both create opportunities for those entering the industry and provide foundational knowledge of renewables to support the sector in its move towards net zero targets.

In addition to developing proposals to reform the education system, the CIPHE also continues to support the enforcement of water and building regulations to raise industry standards for those already operating in the sector. The perceived lack of enforcement currently allows space in which incompetent and rogue traders can operate, presenting risks to public safety.

CIPHE recommendations

• Apprenticeships will be overhauled and made more appealing to employers to increase the availability of entry-level jobs.
• Provide practical and financial support for adult learners.
• Funding for apprenticeships to be targeted at the anticipated future construction industry skills gap and to support the move to net zero.

CIPHE actions

• Collaborate with its Plumbing Employers’ Group to shape, create and maintain a Level 2 & 3 Apprenticeship Standard in Domestic Plumbing Installation and ensure they align with changing industry and employer demands.
• Support the development of apprentices and students via the CIPHE’s Trainee Membership.

LICENSING

The CIPHE maintains the need for a licence to practise as the fact remains that, with the exception of gas installers, anyone can establish a plumbing and heating business regardless of relevant and supporting qualifications.

This has left space for a small but undesirable rogue operator culture to arise, placing public safety, health and welfare at risk. The UK now experiences more deaths each year due to poorly designed, installed and maintained plumbing systems than from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Millions of pounds a day is being paid out for escape-of-water claims, and incidents of scalding from hot water appliances, as well as scalds and burns from radiators, are also worryingly high. According to the NHS, the number of FCE (finished consultant episodes) bed days for scalds rose from 3,416 in 2023 to 4,472 in 2024 – an increase of 1,056. Although there was a reduction in burns from pipes and radiators, there were still 1,077 FCE bed days.

“Heating systems should be regulated and competent installers appointed,” says Kevin Wellman, CEO of the CIPHE. “Could this be a further reflection on the shortage of skilled installers?

“I am having ongoing discussions with various government departments and Defra is keen to introduce a mandatory water label next year. If fittings are being mandated, then training to fit them should also be mandated.

“The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) wants to make low-temperature heating training mandatory, so I would encourage installers to get onto an approved course, like the CIPHE’s low-temperature qualification, as soon as they can.”

CIPHE recommendations

• Increase links between regulation enforcement and grassroots engineers.
• Recognise the skilled and professional part of the workforce. Protect the title of ‘plumber’ by introducing statutory licensing of plumbing and heating engineers.

CIPHE actions

• Lobby government for the introduction of the licence to practise.

CPD REGULATION

According to the CIPHE’s updated manifesto, continuing professional development (CPD) plays a vital role in upskilling the workforce and keeping it up to date with the latest best practice, and regulatory and technological advances. The institute argues that without regular, high quality CPD, engineers fall behind their peers. However, as the industry is largely unregulated, there is no obligation for those outside of CIPHE membership or Engineering Council registration to engage in or record CPD.

“At last year’s World Plumbing Council general meeting, I asked whether CPD should be mandated and all those in attendance across the world united and said for plumbing safety issues it should,” says Wellman. “It is perhaps a further reflection on the lack of regulation in the UK, which sadly leads to so many plumbing-related injuries. All I want is a level playing field for everyone working in our sector.”

CIPHE recommendations

• Require licensing for installers that includes mandatory CPD on reducing leakage and maintaining water efficiency, and refresher training on Water Regulations/Byelaws.

CIPHE actions

• Continue to promote the Learning Academy and encourage mandatory CPD provision.
• Continue to aid members with quality CPD provision.

ROGUE TRAINING PROVIDERS

Unfortunately, when the plumbing and heating industry experiences a skills shortage, there seems to be an increase in rogue training providers that offer short courses to get people into the industry.

These courses are extremely tempting for people keen to get started, as they claim to condense quality learning into just weeks or months. While some offer class-based learning, others offer home study courses that fit in with other work and personal commitments. Some also promise to provide workplace experience.

“I have been horrified to see the promotion of web-based courses, advising people that they can become qualified plumbers by undertaking remote training,” says Wellman.

“The CIPHE recommends going to a bona fide college or Approved Training Centre (ATC) which runs industry-recognised courses and apprenticeships. This includes finding out if the tutors/assessors have a minimum NVQ Level 3 qualification and relevant industry experience. People unwittingly spend many thousands undertaking training after being incorrectly advised that they will gain a qualification in a matter of weeks, only to find out that it does not make them eligible to join the CIPHE. Engineers require practical skills that take years to develop through repetition and on-site experience – a couple of months in a classroom or home learning environment is next to useless.”

The CIPHE introduced its ATC status to help those entering the industry to easily recognise quality training providers and to tackle the rise in rogue traders.

CIPHE recommendations

• Crack down on rogue training providers.

CIPHE actions

• Continue to raise awareness of the danger posed by rogue training providers with the industry and the public.
• Support and promote CIPHE ATCs.
• Support the development of apprentices and students via the CIPHE’s Trainee Membership.
• Continue to promote the Learning Academy and encourage mandatory CPD provision.
• Continue to raise awareness around the importance of specific heat pump training and accreditation to underpin the safe and successful move to low-carbon technologies.