Plumbing Industry Snapshot

Plumbing Industry – Snapshot

Plumber, airconditioning and mechanical services plumber, drainer, gasfitter, roof plumber, sanitary plumber.

Master Plumbers Australia (MPA) explains that the plumbing industry offers a wide range of occupations in various specialities:

• Water plumbing - Installation, removal, repair and maintenance of hot and cold water pipes and fittings

• Sanitary plumbing - Installation, removal, renewal, repair and maintenance of pipes, including ventilation of those pipes and fittings to receive and convey sewage

• Drainage - Installation, removal, repair and maintenance of storm water and waste pipes and fittings • Mechanical services - Work on heating, cooling or ventilation of buildings which may include

installation, removal, repair and maintenance of pipes, valves, regulators, tanks, evaporative cooling, ventilation and air conditioning systems

• Roofing - Installation, renewal, repair and maintenance of roof coverings and roof water systems such as gutters, rainwater piping and downpipes

• Gas services - Installation, disconnection, repair and maintenance of pipes, fittings, appliances and associated ventilation equipment involving gases such as fuel, liquefied petroleum, manufactured and natural gases

The DoE reports that plumbers are mainly employed in construction, electricity, gas, water and waste services and public administration and safety.

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Construction %

Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services Public Administration and Safety Mining 90.1 2.7 1.4 1.0

Main Employing Industries (% share)

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Thousands 57.5 _23.9 69.7 73.0 68.8 77.8 71.9 89.2 82.8 78.9 _79.7 90.1 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2018

Employment Level (thousands)

The graph shows, for this occupation, the industries (up to four) with the largest share of employment. The industries are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 06). Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2013. Estimates have been rounded and consequently some discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.

http://joboutlook.gov.au/occupation.aspx?search=alpha&tab=stats&cluster=&code=3341&graph=IN

Number employed Employment in this very large occupation (79,700 in November 2013)

rose moderately in the past five years and rose strongly in the long-term (ten years), projected to increase to 90,100 by 2018.

Unemployment for plumbers is below average. There are more applicants for plumbing apprenticeships than there are jobs available, which make it competitive to gain a plumbing apprenticeship.

Employment in growth or decline

Strong growth.

DoE reports that employment for plumbers to November 2018 is expected to grow very strongly. Employment for this occupation rose moderately in the past five years and rose strongly in the long-term (ten years). Looking forward, employment for plumbers to November 2018 is expected to grow very strongly.

The graph shows historical and projected (to 2018) employment levels (thousands) for this occupation. Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, Department of Employment trend data to November 2013 and Department of Employment projections to 2018. Estimates have been rounded.

Majority employed in small / medium or large businesses

The sector has some large enterprises but is dominated by small firms and self-employed tradespeople, with an estimated 90% of plumbing contractor businesses employing between one and 50 employees. The workforce is involved in plumbing services ranging from domestic maintenance through to high-rise construction.

Majority employed in regional and remote or urban areas

This is a very large occupation (79,700 in November 2013) suggesting that opportunities should be available in most regions.

Proportion male to female workers

Almost all plumbers are male. DoE reports 92.6% male full-time workers, and nil female full-time workers, and 7.1% male part-time workers and 0.2% female part-time workers.

Strategies to encourage female workforce participation

CPSISC and the plumbing industry continue to work with schools, careers advisers and apprenticeship services groups to promote plumbing as a trade for women; however concerns remain prevalent from MPA that there is still a mindset among parents and career advisers that needs to be overcome on promoting opportunities for women in this sector.

Ongoing efforts have also been made by employee organisations to attract more women into plumbing roles. Uptake is still low, but industry bodies are keen to provide more opportunities and understand many benefits for both employers and female workers entering this field. A coordinated targeted program to support the matching of female applicants with employers and mentoring is needed to ensure adequate support is provided to ensure success of this strategy. Plumbing apprenticeship opportunities are often provided through family connections – which usually encourage male workers to this field.

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Males FT %

Males PT Female FT Female PT

92.6 7.1 0.00 0.2 45.1 9.1 24.8 21.0 Gender (% share) Plumbers All Occupations

The graph shows the share of employment (%) for males and females, employed full and part-time, compared with all occupations. Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2013. Estimates have been rounded and consequently some discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.

Proportion full-time to part-time workers

92.7% of plumbers work full-time. Average weekly hours for full-time workers are 41.4 (compared to 41.1 for all occupations).

Proportion of industry that have completed Certificate III or IV

The most common level of educational attainment is Certificate III/IV (67.1%).

The graph shows the highest educational attainment (% share of employment) for this occupation compared with all occupations. Source: ABS 2013 Survey of Education and Work (SEW). The measure of overall educational attainment is the ABS ‘HEAP’ variable, which regards successful completion of Years 12, 11 or 10 of school as a higher attainment than a Certificate II coupled with any lower level of schooling. Estimates have been rounded and consequently some discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals. http:// joboutlook.gov.au/occupation.aspx?search=alpha&tab=stats&cluster=&code=3341&graph=EP

Current economic

impediments for this industry

Different sectors of the plumbing industry are dependent on different inputs and are affected by changes in the economy accordingly – for example, new commercial projects are often government funded or dependent on business confidence.

MPA advises that the domestic sector can be boosted by lower interest rates and a lower dollar that boosts overseas investment. Currently demand is improving in high density areas but is patchy round the country.

Impact of globalisation There is some pressure in the Australian plumbing industry with the

influence of overseas models which train plumbers according to segregated licensing requirements. If adopted in Australia this would change the skill levels of the plumbing workforce, creating ‘plumbing specialists’ rather than general plumbers. In some circumstances this would require three ‘plumbing specialists’ to be engaged for one general plumbing job.

Educational attainment (% of employment) 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Post Graduate/ Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate

Bachelor degree Advanced

Diploma/Diploma Certificater III/IV Year 12 Year 11 and 10 Below Year 10

% 0.00 9.0 1.4 19.6 2.7 10.5 67.1 20.9 9.0 19.5 _18.8 16.5 0.9 45.1 Plumbers All Occupations

Impact from technology Changes to industry equipment has seen the introduction of video cameras to inspect for hidden leaks in drainage systems or hydro jets, and high pressure hydraulic pumps connected to steel cables for trench-less sewer line replacement. The introduction of new materials such as recycled plastic piping requires upskilling to learn new methods of handling and installation. Many small plumbing businesses

are reluctant to incur the costs of adopting information technology innovations. However, due to the rapid growth in subcontracting of most trade services and the increasing importance of sophisticated project management tools for large projects, the sector is seeing the emergence of new technologies and systems such as an increasing reliance on electronic tendering and procurement processes. Mobile data devices are enabling businesses to streamline and improve their operations (e.g. accessing technical information while working on-site and automating stock control).

Solar hot water, higher efficiency hot water units, water treatment systems for grey and black water, new high efficiency heating and cooling systems are all being demanded by consumers and require new skills and the ability to offer advice. Much of this training is post qualification but vital to service customer demand.

Ageing workforce concerns The main age group is 25-34 years (23.4%) and the median age is 34

years (compared to 40 years for all occupations). Impact from population

growth and / or demographics

MPA advises that the increase in population and the increase in single person households has increased demand for higher density apartment style housing.

Strategies to encourage Indigenous Australian participation

Both the industry association and the employee body engage with Indigenous Australian organisations to work in partnership to engage Indigenous Australian plumbing apprentices. This is of particular benefit in remote and regional locations, with the joint aims of improving sanitation standards within Indigenous Australian communities and increasing the job and training prospects of young Indigenous Australian men and women.

Changing profile of the learner at work

A greater number of mature apprentices are entering the plumbing industry; however MPA reports concern on the decrease in the overall number of plumbing apprentices. The industry association indicates that there is an opportunity to upskill existing workers from the manufacturing sector to move across to the plumbing industry. Current and emerging skill

gaps

MPA advises that current and emerging skills gaps exist in some specialised areas such as type B gas and gas servicing as well as on some of the new technologies including black water and grey water treatment plants.

Ways to boost skill levels to meet any skill shortages?

Specialised post trade training is required in these emerging skills gap areas. MPA advises that this needs to be delivered by industry or with industry involvement but needs to be funded and supported.

Workforce priorities MPA advises that the number of apprentices needs to be maintained

and the quality of their training both on and off the job needs to be monitored and assessed.

Anecdotal notes on workforce development needs

The plumbing and services sector is driven technically by public health and environmental requirements arising from the water industry and the need for proper sanitation. Sustainable and environmentally friendly practices are driving the sector with the certification of ‘green plumbers’ expected to be a standard practice by the year 2015. The ongoing need to protect the environment from ozone depleting substances, the search for alternative energy methods and water saving measures will require that plumbers of the future have a major impact on addressing environmental requirements in their everyday activities and have the appropriate education to enable them to do so.

An employment profile for the plumbing industry (including information on its workforce, industry and occupational characteristics) can be found at www. skillsinfo.gov.au within the ‘Industry Outlook – Construction’ report.