Plumbing qualifications are getting ever more popular

(19/02/2008)

City & Guilds has released a new study tracking the uptake of its most popular vocational qualifications in the UK over the last 10 years. According to this study, the plumbing industry was singled out for its ever-growing appetite for learning.

Learners’ rising interest in the sector was clearly demonstrated in the dramatic uptake of City & Guilds’ basic plumbing studies award: since making its debut in the City & Guilds rankings in 2004-05, the number of learners gaining the qualification has almost doubled. Last year, more than 48,000 learners were awarded a qualification in basic plumbing studies.

The research also revealed a number of pioneering cities across the country that are plugging their skills gaps and have developed a clear taste for plumbing skills. The study names London the UK’s plumbing capital, where one in 10 of City & Guilds’ most popular qualifications are in basic plumbing studies. Almost 6,000 Londoners were awarded the qualification in 2006-07 - a threefold increase within a period of only two years.

City & Guilds’ research also shows that Brits are anticipating and responding a number of other related skills needs: construction awards first entered the top 20 five years ago and has subsequently continued to rise towards the top of the rankings. During this time, the number of learners gaining City & Guilds construction qualifications has increased fourfold.

Commenting on the research findings, Keith Brooker, Acting Director General of City & Guilds, said: “I’d like to applaud the efforts of the plumbing sector in attracting new learners - it’s exciting to discover so many people catching the learning bug and gaining valuable new skills.”

Keith Brooker concluded: “Learners are clearly taking notice of which qualifications offer them strong opportunities for reward and career progression, and we hope to see even more people plugging their skills gaps in future years.”

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