Media release from Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers below and attached;

Master Plumbers welcomes certainty over continuing competency requirements for plumbers

Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers welcomes Parliament’s decision to provide some certainty over the need for ongoing training for the industry. “It is important for New Zealand consumers that plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers continue learning and keep their skills up to date throughout their careers,” says Master Plumbers Chief Executive Fiona Gavriel. “The current approach to requiring ongoing training could be improved, but we welcome Parliament’s pragmatic decision that will see training continue while a review is undertaken.”

Parliament considered the requirements for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers to undertake ongoing training as a condition of obtaining their annual practicing licenses after a complaint to the Regulations Review Committee. The requirements were set by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (which registers and licenses plumbers). The committee also heard a complaint about the way the Board collected and allocated levies. Parliament has voted down a motion from the committee that regulations be ‘disallowed’- which would have effectively cancelled training and the collection of levies.

“The Minister for Building and Construction, Maurice Williamson, has a realistic and practical approach to the critical issue of ongoing professional development and training.” “He has made it clear to the Board that they must move quickly to review the current requirements and make improvements, without the major disruption that cancelling training would have caused.” “We welcome his commitment to supporting our industry to improve standards.” “Our worst fear was that the time and money that responsible plumbers have invested in training under the current system would be wasted. This decision means that their commitment to continuing their professional development will be recognised when they renew their licenses in 2012, but also means that an improved system will be put in place for future years. “ Fiona Gavriel says this does not let the Board off the hook.

“The Board has failed the industry in the past, as set out in last year’s Auditor General’s report. It has a new Chief Executive and has been working hard to improve its performance in terms of meeting industry needs. However there is still some way to go. The debate over training highlights that its past processes were flawed. “It is high time the Board demonstrated that it has learned the lessons of the past and can deliver processes and systems that meet everyone’s expectations.” Fiona Gavriel says there is widespread agreement with the principle of continuing professional development.

“Everyone – including the Minister, the Parliamentary Committee, and the original complainants – agree that ongoing professional development is important. There has been disagreement about the best way to put a system in place. “We now all need to work together to find a way forward that is practical, relevant and affordable.” Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers is the trade organisation that over 60 % of the industry belongs to. See attached fact sheet on training.

Fact Sheet: Training requirements in the Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying Industry Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Inc is the trade organisation that over 60 % of the industry belongs to. The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board is the government-appointed body that registers and licenses plumbers, under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006.

The Plumbing, Gasfitting, Drainlaying and Roofing Industry Trade Organisation (ITO) provides training for apprentices, who on the completion of training gain a National Certificate. http://www.ito.co.nz/portals/0/downloads/careerpathposter.pdf. Masterlink is a scheme set up by Master Plumbers to increase the number of apprentices getting qualifications, by taking the hassle out of having an apprentice. Masterlink employs the apprentices and manages the process. Apprentices are ‘seconded’ to host businesses, who only pay for the time they work.

Once plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers have completed their apprenticeship and obtained the National Certificate, they must be registered and licensed by the PGD Board, which renews licenses annually. From March 2012, the Board will require plumbers and drainlayers to complete a certain amount of ongoing training to be able to renew their annual license. This is already the case for gasfitters. Master Plumbers provides upskilling courses in a number of technical and business-related areas. These upskilling courses contribute to meeting the PGD Board’s re-licensing requirements. Master Plumbers started offering training in 2010 in response to demand from members for upskilling that was good quality, cost effective and easily accessible. Master Plumbers courses cost $15 per ‘credit’ for members and $30 for non- members. The PGD board will require a plumber to have accrued 24 ‘credits’ for relicensing if they hold three licenses, i.e. plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying. This means the cost of meeting these training requirements will be $360 for a Master Plumbers’ member.

There were 2,257 attendees at 197 Master Plumbers’ courses in 2010.

ENDS

© Scoop Media