Workers flood to plumbing course (From Stroud News and Journal)

Workers flood to plumbing course

STROUD College is being flooded by white collar workers wanting to become plumbers. More than 300 people have signed onto the waiting list for just 75 places on this year's foundation course beginning in September.

The average age of students on the current one-year foundation plumbing courses is between 30 and 50.

Many are senior managers and financial professionals looking for a change of career. Paul Benfield, department head of construction, engineering and computing, said: "It's been manic. All this year we've been fielding calls at the rate of ten a day. We can't keep up with the demand."

"The media is largely responsible for it. It can be traced to a single article that appeared in the Sunday Times a few months ago suggesting people can earn about £70,000 a year," he said.

"But workers are also feeling quite vulnerable. Companies only show a profit by reducing staff and people want something to relieve them of all the stress," he said.

Next year, the college is to increase the number of foundation courses from three to five in a bid to meet the pumped up demand.

But fears the plumbing profession could become oversubscribed are unfounded, said Mr Benfield.

"It has been accepted for a number of years that there's a shortage of plumbers. People complain about plumbers they can't get hold of, who don't turn up or charge them the earth. There's a demand in the market."

This, he believes, can only be to the benefit of all concerned. "It's not just good for Stroud College, it's good for the area.

The waiting list for this year's foundation course, which costs around £600, is still open.

Applicants will be invited to sit a short test at an open evening scheduled for later this year.

For more information call Stroud College on 01453 763424.