Ideal Standard recently hosted an Installer Insight Day at its Armitage factory and, in recognition of Quality Plumber Week and the debate about the benefits of introducing a licence to operate, asked the views of the assembled plumbers as part of an open forum. Broadly there was support for the idea, with the installers already investing in key certifications and memberships of relevant trade bodies.
Ryan Mills, from GD Plumbing and Heating, said he’d felt for years that there should be something like this, with potentially separate licences for those working on water and gas respectively. He is concerned that anyone can go into a DIY retailer, buy some supplies and carry out a plumbing job without any check. He said: “I did a four-year apprenticeship, but someone can go and do a two-week night course and apparently they’re a plumber. There’s just no standard.” He cited countries such as Germany where regulation is so strict, that people can’t just get hold of a van and set up their own company.
How to raise awareness of such a licence was a key discussion point for our visiting installers. James Lawrence of Plumber Parts, said one issue is that customers aren’t aware of, or don’t understand, the regulations so something along the lines of a wider advertising campaign, involving TV and radio promotion, is needed. This idea was supported by Pete Brown, a plumber and heating engineer. He believes organisations such as Water Safe, the directory of local approved plumbers, need to be known to the general public much more than they are at this current time.
Pictured at the Armitage factory are (l to r): Olivia Maycock, Lauren winter, Ryan Mills, James Lawrence, Pete Brown, Chris Pearson and Adam Bourne.
For more information about Quality Plumber Week visit http://www.aphc.co.uk/quality-plumber-week.asp.
