AS the Scottish Plumbing Apprentice of the Year competition (SPAY) prepares to mark its 50th anniversary next month at South Lanarkshire College, the Plumbing and Heating Federation has warned that after eight years of frozen apprenticeship funding from government, many sectors are reaching ‘breaking point’.
SNIPEF said that without ‘urgent’ government action, Scotland’s young people risk missing out on vital career opportunities, social mobility will stall, and the country’s economic future will be put at risk.
The SPAY competition, organised by SNIPEF, has helped launch the careers of more than 1,200 apprentices over the years, showcasing the depth of talent within the plumbing and heating profession and demonstrating the potential of apprenticeships.
Fiona Hodgson, chief executive of SNIPEF, said, “For 50 years, SPAY has showcased the outstanding skill, dedication and potential of Scotland’s plumbing and heating apprentices, demonstrating the value of high-quality training and inspiring the next generation to succeed. Yet all of this is now under threat. Without committed government support and increased funding, employers in plumbing and heating and other industries simply lack the resources to take on apprentices, sacrificing young people’s talent and putting at risk the opportunities and pipelines that have sustained Scotland’s economy for decades.”
The SPAY competition brings together Scotland’s most talented apprentices to test their technical skill, creativity and precision. This year’s event, held at South Lanarkshire College in East Kilbride, features three specialist categories: Copper, Leadwork and Renewable Technologies.
Recent research from SNIPEF’s State of Trade report shows only 22% of businesses are likely to recruit a plumbing apprentice in the next six months, despite a ‘critical’ skills shortage.
Fiona Hodgson added, “Our members want to invest in new talent, but they can’t do so without targeted funding support. Recruiting an apprentice should never have become a burden, but our members are in a no-win situation where rising costs, funding stagnation and the workforce shortage have made apprentice recruitment unviable for many.
“Years of government inaction have created a situation where business growth has been starved, yet the responsibility to secure the future of the profession continues to fall on businesses with ever dwindling means to do so. It is urgent that the government step in to support our businesses, re-opening that pathway for our apprentices to survive and forge meaningful and rewarding careers in an industry that is vital to the country’s economy.”
