Need an apprentice?

The plumbing industry’s future relies on qualified plumbers mentoring the next generation. Master Plumbers’ Curtis de la Harpe looks at some of the issues surrounding taking on a new apprentice.

Master Plumbers‘ Members speak about the difficulty of finding that 3rd or 4th year apprentice. Some speak of their reticence to take on a 1st-year apprentice. Let’s delve into the issues at play.

The elusive 4th year apprentice

When covid hit, there was a substantial drop in new plumbing apprentices. According to the National Australian Apprenticeships Association, as of April 2020, “commencement levels were down 58% on prior years”. Naturally, in 2024, there is a dearth of senior apprentices in the industry.

Unfortunately, this was not a one-year glitch and this, coupled with the increased demand for plumbers in the industry, means the competition for these apprentices will continue until the governments‘ new incentives and skills plans take effect.

The answer

Consider taking on a 1st or 2nd year apprentice and keeping them through their apprenticeship.

You will provide a much-needed placement for an apprentice and no longer need one of the few 4th year apprentices in the market. There are also government incentives for taking on apprentices in their first year, reducing the investment.

The committed apprentice

There is a stereotype that the young, 1st year is not committed and often phone addicted.

The answer

Maturing comes with age and good mentoring. For instant maturity, hire a mature-aged apprentice. More people are entering plumbing as a second or third career. By hiring a mature-aged apprentice you are getting someone who understands the workforce, has other skillsets and is potentially more grounded.

Alternatively, hire a first year, set boundaries and expectations and ensure that you mentor the behaviour you want to see.

The irregularity of work

A lot of plumbing businesses don’t have the next four years of jobs booked, so there is a concern when taking on a new apprentice that work could dry up.

The answer

This is where group training organisations come in. Companies like Plumbing Apprenticeships Victoria and Plumbing Apprentices Queensland can place plumbing apprentices with your business on a more short-term basis. Ideally, they want you to take on one of their apprentices for the full length of their apprenticeship. But should your work dry up, they can find their apprentices a new position.

They also pass on the government incentives they receive in the form of low charge-out rates. This means in most cases, it is also cheaper to hire an apprentice through a Group Training Organisation.