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PLUMBING CONNECTION
SUMMER 2016
While it may be harder to get into university, trade
qualifications lead to careers which often merit better
outcomes in earning potential, employment rates and
ultimately career satisfaction. Plumbing is a prime example
of a tertiary career which has higher earning potential and
employment rates than many university course based
careers.
It is human nature to be competitive and this is especially
true today with students going through the schooling
system asking each other ‘what university did you get into?’,
‘what degree are you doing?’
With diminishing numbers of overseas students, less
recognised Universities are dropping their entrance levels
to achieve budgeted student numbers – thus pushing even
more kids into unproductive outcomes and away from
the trades. Our student survey showed today’s youth has
a narrow-minded view of the plumbing industry. Drawing
associations of grubby clothes, old ute’s, drain cleaners and
bum cracks projecting from under the sink, not exactly a
winning formulae. A stereo-typed image so often portrayed
by TV news and reality shows.
Changing the perception of the industry may seem like a
herculean task (as part of the industry keeps re-in forcing
that) but the industry can take inspiration from companies
that have managed to successfully shift public perception of
their ‘brand’. It’s not impossible to do.
Remember when Old Spice was known to be the lotion of
choice for grandad, never to be considered by the younger
generation. A marketing campaign featuring a former NFL
player popularised the product among youth and sent the
company’s bottom line soaring. Brands are not necessarily
the same as an industry but getting the image and
marketing right is a great start.
The plumbing industry could likewise re-image and
market itself, to enhance its attraction as a career option.
If success can be implied in a name, perhaps the
industry needs to infer a better offering, to compete with
a University education. How much of a societal shift would
that create?
Our survey showed many students would be more inclined
to choose plumbing as a career if it had a name such as
‘plumbing engineer’ or ‘environmental consultant’.
COVER STORY:
INDUSTRY FUTURE
The plumbing industry has some truly remarkable selling
points to the youth of today.
PLUMBING IS A PRIME
EXAMPLE OF A TERTIARY CAREER
WHICH HAS HIGHER EARNING
POTENTIAL AND EMPLOYMENT RATES
THAN MANY UNIVERSITY COURSE
BASED CAREERS.
Here’s a great example. The Master Plumbers Association
of NSW has proposed a new strategic approach to apprentice
training in the form of a Cadetship in Plumbing Engineering.
This promotes the fact that plumbing has a lot more depth,
scope of knowledge and skills than simply connecting pipes
and plumbing fittings. MPA NSW Chief Executive Officer Paul
Naylor says another beneficial strategy of the program would
be the direct engagement of parents.
“The aim of the new strategy was to increase the expertise
of apprentices, ensure that there are higher completion
rates, an ability of addressing the behavioural issues
currently demonstrated by school leavers and to ensure that
graduates are job ready with high technical skills.
“We welcome parents in to discuss the course and career
opportunities before any decisions are made” Paul says.
“Parental support will result in a much higher percentage
of young people completing the pre-employment program
and we can obviously learn quite a bit about the kids at the
initial interview from the parents,” Paul says
Careers Advisers Association of NSW/ACT spokesperson
Jenine Smith agrees, it is crucially important to promote the
industry to parents in order to attract more apprentices.