| By :
Martin Hofschroer
City & Guild's Broadsheet magazine reports that the plumbing industry's reputation will continue to improve as more people take recognized plumbing courses. A study by Lloyds TSB Insurance found that ten per cent of illegal gas installations were deemed to be 'immediately dangerous' on investigation by the Gas Safe Register and this is due to a minority of unqualified plumbers. By offering a range of plumbing courses which aim to provide quality training for people looking to gain a career in the industry, City & Guilds are combating the challenge of unqualified plumbers. To be considered as a fully qualified plumber, people need to complete the City & Guilds 6129 Technical Certificate Level 2 and Level 3 and the City & Guilds Plumbing Level 2 and Level 3 NVQ in Mechanical Engineering Services - Plumbing (Domestic). The Technical Certificates provide key principles, theory and essential background knowledge, while the NVQs can only be taken by those in employment and are focused on on-the-job training and assessment. Business Manager, City & Guilds Built Environment Rachel Andrews told the magazine: "A professional reputation can take years to gain. City & Guilds qualifications ensure that plumbers are equipped with technical expertise as well as comprehensive on-the-job experience." All the necessary City & Guilds plumbing courses need to be completed in order to become a fully qualified plumber with the appropriate knowledge and skills. People will be assessed once they are working within the plumbing industry in order to obtain City & Guilds 6089, NVQ level 2. John Mys, plumbing sector advisor for City & Guilds, told Broadsheet: "Many employers have City & Guilds qualifications themselves and so understand their value and what they represent." City & Guilds, trainers and employers now hope that the general public with experience greater confidence in the plumbing industry as more plumbers have the necessary skills having taken recognized plumbing courses. Industry expert Max Mortimer told the magazine: "The image of the cowboy installer will take time to fade. Its effects could be lessened by more engineers acquiring qualifications and through educating the market about the benefits of only hiring engineers who have achieved them." People who pass plumbing courses and gas training courses may also need to complete Part P courses in order to undertake electrical work within domestic dwellings. Chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering Blane Judd has expressed his concern that people do not realise that Gas Safe registration on its own is not enough to prove that a plumber is professionally qualified.
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