with the reality of “what next?’. According to an article published by Business News Daily, January and
February are the most popular hiring months, this means that most job seekers are have been sending
out their resumes while businesses are looking through applications. The problem becomes when most
of the population is applying for the same types of jobs, within the same industry. The Pluming Industry
Registration Board (PIRB) saw this time as the perfect moment to educate people on different jobs and
available opportunities for young people within the plumbing industry.
As the industry continues to lose the older members of its workforce, and the skills gap widens, it’s
imperative for companies to be proactive about their recruitment efforts, writes Anthony Pacilla for
Plumber Magazine.
This means that there are opportunities in the space, but unfortunately, most people think that
plumbing is dirty work or a non-skilled profession. This is false. To be a plumber you need to possess
many different skills and competencies. Without plumbing, modern life would not exist. Even Albert
Einstein, one of the greatest minds in history said: “If I had my life to live over again, I would be a
plumber.”
Plumbers do not need to have a university degree but industry-recognised training is required to
become a qualified practitioner. A common entry into the plumbing industry is through an
apprenticeship with a licensed plumber or plumbing company. During training, candidates learn how to
install water supplies, find faults, fix domestic appliances, and attend to emergency call-outs, among
other things.
“The reality is that the trades are an extremely attractive career, especially for millennials. There, many
youths today are either leaving university or opting straight out of school to go to trade school,” –
Eamonn Reynolds
The first step to becoming a plumber is to be part of an apprentice program. This is because plumbing is
a career path that is more about practical work than theory. The program runs for a minimum of three
years, with basic minimum requirements. Candidates need to be over the age of 16, with grade 9
mathematics. The Institute of Plumbing South Africa (IOPSA), a partner of the PIRB, works closely with
its member companies that offer apprentice opportunities.
Being a part of an industry with a generational gap is a good opportunity for the youth to get
employment. There is a PIRB member on stand-by to share more information and details on how young
people can change their lives by joining the plumbing industry as well as all of the different types of jobs
within the space.