Plumbing Connection Spring 2016

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PLUMBING CONNECTION SPRING 2016 37
With any change in legislation comes
public pushback and Beth says there
have been some complaints from
plumbers and employers that it will
cost them time and money; but she
says the government is doing all it
can to be flexible and accommodate
everyone.
“We have addressed these
complaints by making CPD programs
outside work hours and not during
income earning time. We intend to
offer online courses so people can
undertake CPD activities from home
if they aren’t close to a major centre,”
she says.
“People can earn CPD points by
simply reading a trade magazine,
which we hope they are doing anyway.
We will also be subsidising courses and
putting on free courses.
“So there are a lot of things we are
doing to reduce any possible obstacles
because we see this as important and
want everyone to do it.”
Beth says this is essential to ensure
a high functioning work force that is
staying up-to-date with standards and
other changes in the industry.
She says there were, for example,
problems with pedicure chair
installations in beauty salons and this
is what the department is hoping to
avoid in the future.
“There have been cases of non-
compliant pedicure chairs imported
from China which have connections
to water and electricity which is very
dangerous. We need to make people
aware of these types of problems.”
Beth says a lot of people are already
doing professional development
programs but are not getting credit
for it.
“We are hoping to provide a more
level playing field so the people who
are doing the right thing aren’t having
their reputation being dragged down
by the people who have not stayed
up-to-date.
“We’re in the process of changing
a lot of our building and construction
legislation so there are significant
changes for plumbers and builders in
Tasmania starting next year. Just by
coming to the information sessions
they are already going to get their CPD
points.
“We want to ensure the plumbing
industry is a highly effective,
highly skilled and highly trained
workforce.”
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