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PLUMBING CONNECTION
WINTER 2015
O
scar Wilde once said, “You can never be overdressed
or overeducated,” and if you think about it, it makes
good sense.
Why is it then, that we regularly see, not all, but many,
scruffy unkempt plumbers and plumbers who once they
complete their apprenticeship, ‘throw away the books’ and
adamantly refuse to entertain further education?
In this article I want to cover further education so I will
leave the sartorial elegance topic to another time maybe.
The apprenticeship model, and in this case the plumbing
apprenticeship, produces a highly skilled professional
tradesperson up to date with all modern aspects relating
to their trade. The general public can have full confidence
that the job done by this tradesperson will utilise current
technologies and current best practice workmanship.
But, what happens after the tradesperson has been
in the field for 10 years? 15 years? 20 years? They may
have perfected their skills and proficiencies but can we be
sure that the work performed still ensures that modern
technology is utilised and that the work is best practice?
Without a formal skills development or continuing education
programme, the answer is unfortunately, no.
Let’s focus on backflow prevention.
It is a requirement across most of Australia and for that
matter the world where backflow prevention is concerned,
that a plumber takes extra study over and above the
apprenticeship to become an accredited backflow tester.
It is not something every plumber is trained to do, due to
the sophistication of the devices and the level of safety the
device provides. Some jurisdictions require that the license
holder resits a re-fresher course to recertify they are
abreast of changes to Standards and product development
every 3 or 5 years. Others do not require this recertification,
which then puts us back in the situation of a diminishing
skills base as time passes. Surely if we are going to have this
requirement in some States, we should insist it is standard
across the country.
The concept of backflow prevention is a very simple
concept, but to truly understand it in the context of cross
connection control and have the knowledge and skill to test
a device, maintain and repair it needs a high level of ongoing
training.
PETER MCLENNAN
URGES MORE PLUMBERS TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION AND CONTINUE TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE
LONG AFTER THEIR APPRENTICESHIP IS DONE AND DUSTED.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION
PETER MCLENNAN
CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE
PLUMBING INDUSTRY